Mayo suppliers urged to apply for 'kickstart' programme following the success of Cabot’s of Westport.

Lidl Ireland has called on food and drink producers in Mayo to apply for its 2026 Lidl Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, following the participation of local business Cabot’s of Westport in previous years. 

Applications are now open for the latest intake of the programme, which aims to support small and medium-sized Irish suppliers seeking to enter the supermarket retail sector. 

Lidl said it is particularly interested in hearing from emerging producers in Mayo who are looking to scale their businesses.

The 2026 programme marks the tenth year of the Lidl Kickstart initiative, which is supported by Bord Bia. Since its launch, the programme has provided artisan producers with an opportunity to supply Lidl stores across the island of Ireland. Last year, more than 46 artisan products from 25 Irish producers were stocked in Lidl outlets nationwide.

Mayo-based suppliers that have previously participated in the programme include Cabot’s of Westport. Successful applicants to the Kickstart programme take part in a six-month development process, which includes business support from Lidl’s in-house experts. The programme focuses on areas such as production efficiency, product development, packaging, administration, social media guidance, and scaling strategies.

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Kevin Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said the programme is designed to help local producers grow their businesses and access new markets

“We are incredibly proud of the programme's long-term success. Over the past ten years, we’ve seen phenomenal achievements from participants like Fused by Fiona, securing full, permanent listings and becoming everyday fixtures in our stores.

 “What’s more, we’ve leveraged our massive international store network to help products go global, opening up exciting new markets across the UK, Europe, and the USA. 

“As we look to build on this decade of success, we really want to encourage any aspiring food and drink entrepreneurs who are interested in scaling their business to connect with us," he added.

Bord Bia has also highlighted the programme’s role in preparing Irish food and drink brands for growth and export. Adam Baker, Global Retail Specialist at Bord Bia, said the initiative offers small businesses an opportunity to showcase their products to a major retailer while developing the skills needed for long-term success.

“It's a superb chance for small businesses to get their products in front of a major retailer, with multiple opportunities to upscale your business and potentially sell your product in over 234 stores across the island of Ireland. 

“This programme can help Irish brands prepare for international growth and export potential, aligning with Bord Bia’s mission to champion Irish food, drink, and horticulture on the global stage," he said.

Applications for the 2026 Lidl Kickstart Supplier Development Programme will remain open until January 31, 2026. Further information is available at www.lidl.ie/kickstart.

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