Pair of Cork producers get a real ‘Kickstart’

2 Cork food producers will be stocked in Lidl this September as part of the retailer’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme.

Greenfield Yogurts from the Blackwater Valley region of Killavullen in North Cork and The Good Dairy Company from Nohoval will be part of the new batch of 48 Irish producers from across the country who earned a place on the programme.

Lidl has invested more than €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish producers to date through the Kickstart Supplier Development Programme.

This year the producers were picked 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 after an intensive application process which saw producers put through their paces with a business pitch to Lidl’s buying team and a taste test to select the best in category.

Established in 2018, Greenfield Yogurts produce yoghurt that is 100% natural and high in probiotics, aiding digestion and the immune system.

The Good Dairy Company is a family dairy business that produces handmade ice creams on their farm in small batches, using the highest quality local and natural ingredients and stabilisers.

From high-quality convenience foods, fish and meat, to beauty, baking, ice cream, condiments and beers – as well as the programme’s first ever pet food item – with a marked focus on unveiling some of Ireland’s best circular economy products to offer more sustainable choice for customers.

Successful producers will now see their artisan offerings on sale on Lidl shelves across its 220 stores across the island of Ireland from 19 September for a limited time, while stocks last.

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.

With 112 new products listed for this year’s Kickstart programme, the retailer will add significantly to its annual goods and services procurement spend of €1.6 billion in Ireland.

Since its launch in 2016, Lidl has invested €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish businesses through the Kickstart programme.

Many Kickstart suppliers have also benefitted from having their products exported across Lidl’s international network of stores.

Fiona Twomey, Global Retail Specialist at Bord Bia said: “We recognise the opportunity a global retailer like Lidl presents to Irish food and drink companies to get their products on shelf in Lidl stores around the world, while the Kickstart programme itself offers a multitude of business development learnings.”