Ireland's first Centre of Excellence for the Irish food industry has opened in Athenry in Co Galway.
The Bia Innovator Campus on the Teagasc site will help drive regional and national growth in Ireland's agri-food sector.
The centre is expected to create up to 400 jobs for the region with more than 40 food companies based at the site.
There will be an auditorium for food demonstrations, product development units for dairy, meat and seafood products and a specialised culinary training centre. Producers will only need to supply their ingredients and their packaging.
The campus will have 12 food units, called BIA Obair, and four co-working kitchens, supporting food entrepreneurs who want to research and develop food products without the financial risk of taking on a full-time kitchen.
There will also be three on-site food innovation technology specialists who will work with start ups to help solve technical and production challenges.
The campus hopes to become a major promoter of food tourism and events.
Speaking at the official opening, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the new facility will help small businesses to scale up, access new markets and become part of a successful global market.
