Five local Irish food producers will see their products go on sale across 150 SuperValu stores around Ireland next week, as part of SuperValu's Food Academy programme.
The five companies chosen for nationwide distribution from 23 September, include Blakes Always Organic from Co Leitrim; Little Thai Kitchen from Co Waterford; Feighery's Farm from Co Tipperary; Hassetts Bakery Co. Cork and The Sweet Potato Pizza Company from Dublin.
The Food Academy programme currently supports 290 Irish food and drink producers, making their products available 52 weeks of the year in their local SuperValu stores.
SuperValu said there was a 15% growth in SuperValu Food Academy sales last year, with participants delivering €28m in retail sales.
Carmel Biggane, Food Academy Manager at SuperValu, said the Food Academy programme is designed to help small businesses to get their products on shelves.
"We believe in supporting local Irish food and drink producers and are incredibly proud to have helped so many local producers over the last 8 years.
"This nationwide distribution is a testament to the benefits of the Food Academy programme and the high standard of Irish producers the programme continues to support," she said.
Food Academy is a food business development programme between SuperValu, Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
Participants in the programme receive training in food safety, market research and branding, marketing, finance, sustainability and business development.
