Lidl Ireland is giving a ‘Kickstart’ to a new batch of 48 Irish producers from across the country who successfully earned a place on the retailer’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme.
The retailer has invested more than €30 million in the programme supporting over 250 Irish producers to date.
Following a competitive Dragon’s Den style pitch process to find this year’s most innovative products, 48 suppliers across 20 different counties were selected.
The producers will now see their artisan offerings on sale on Lidl shelves across its 220 stores across the island of Ireland from September 19 for a limited time, while stocks last.
Products include high-quality convenience foods, fish and meat, beauty, baking, ice cream, condiments and beers – as well as the programme’s first ever pet food item.
Before the products hit the shelves, this six-month development programme offers suppliers dedicated business support from Lidl’s in-house experts, advancing their product, brand and business with practical guidance on how to scale production, drive production efficiency, as well as product development and packaging support, allowing them to optimise on-shelf opportunities in the Autumn and scale for success.
Now in its eighth year, and supported by Bord Bia, this year’s programme saw a record number of applicants from every province in Ireland.
Kate O’Driscoll, Supplier Development Manager at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said the programme allows the retailers to support Irish producers building their businesses while providing customers with a great range of new and innovative Irish products.
This year’s Kickstart intake of quality Irish producers includes a number of innovative sustainable products such as sisters Aisling and Sadhbh Wood’s Bean Around Exfoliating Coffee Bars made from used coffee beans and Hayden Smyth’s Pup Pup Dental Chews, a sustainable insect-based dog treat, and delicious healthy alternatives such Emi Takakura’s Slice of Life Pizza, a frozen high protein pizza with a cauliflower crust made with all-natural ingredients and recyclable packaging.
The Kickstart 2024 suppliers group will offer customers a variety of restaurant-quality food products to try at home such as Sofie Rooney’s Chimac Sauces which introduces Korean and Sriracha flavours to households, Niall Sabongi’s Smoked Haddock Lasagne celebrating the heritage and quality seafood products sourced from the Irish sea and Conor Sweeny’s Dae Bites, delicious brownie and cookie bites which are free from 13 of the 14 top allergens.
