The Food Starter programme is an online 4 x 1/2-day programme designed to help those with a food idea, or those at a very early stage of starting up a food business. Typically, within the first 24 months.

It will cover everything from an overview of the Irish food sector to the specifics of starting a food production business.

The content for this programme includes:

• Successful Small Business Stories, Videos and Case Studies
• Outline of Business Feasibility Study
• Consumer and Market Research
• Market Trends and Drivers, Consumer and Trade Customer Profiles
• Primary Market Research
• Measuring Market Gaps
• The Importance of Food Safety and Legislation
• Packaging
• Considerations for Developing your Product for Launch
• Selecting the Right Channel/Route to Market
• Costings and Managing Finance
• Case Study – A practical illustration
• State Agency Supports and Sources of Funds
• Meeting the Store Manager/Chef
• Distribution and Logistics
• Identifying Your Unique Selling Points
• Understanding Branding
• Brand and Packaging Review Exercise
• Communicating Your Brand - Marketing and PR
• Next Steps, Supplier Development Programmes and Q&A.

Target Audience:
The Programme content is targeted as food and drink producers. People thinking of starting their own food business or in the early stages of start-up and this includes people who are hoping to progress their food hobby into a full-time sustainable business, who can demonstrate that they have a well-researched business idea that they are capable of commercialising.
The Programme content is not suitable for those planning to open a cafe, restaurant, or food service operation.

Programme Objectives:

On successful completion of the programme participants will:

• Have a sound knowledge of the rudiments of food business start-up.
• Have identified the costs associated with establishing and operating the business and how these costs will be funded.
• Be in a position to go about their start-up in an effective way.

Programme Dates:

• 10th September, 09:30-12:30
• 17th September, 09:30-12:30
• 24th September, 09:30-12:30
• 1st October, 09:30-12:30

This training programme will be delivered ONLINE

ONLINE TRAINING COURSE OVER 4 X HALF DAYS: (via Zoom)