Galway East TD and Minister for Rural Affairs Seán Canney is encouraging budding local food producers to engage with a new e-learning programme.
The Digital School of Food course is being offered by the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation through Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs).
Minister Canney said: “The programme is the first of its kind in the European Union. It brings food producers from the ideas stage straight through to start-up and growth.
“It will offer local food entrepreneurs expert advice and guidance direct to their home, office or kitchen.
“The programme was piloted successfully in Dublin and has now been introduced across the country.”
Key course elements include planning a product journey and the route to market, strategising around finance, growing sales and expanding businesses.
The programme includes contributions from experienced food producers and trade buyers such as Supervalu and Musgraves.
Entrepreneurs who complete the Digital School of Food course can move on to a Food Starter programme offered by the Local Enterprise Offices and then on to the Food Academy, which gives producers an opportunity to get their products on the shelves.

For more information, contact Minister Canney on 086-2513639
April 29 2020