Here are eight good places to start if you are interested in making it in the food business.
Food is a huge part of the Irish economy. It accounts for over 12.3% of total exports. The industry has ambitions to be worth €19 billion by 2025. Here’s how to start and grow a food business.
1: Go to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland website
This should be your first port of call. It has handy guides on food law, starting a food business at home, and detailed information on how to set up a food stall at a local market.
DOWNLOAD: A brilliant business plan template to get started.
2: Investigate the Food Works programme.
If you have “an innovative food product that satisfies a genuine market need, and an ambition for global success”, you should meet with the Food Works team. See video below.
3: Go back to college
There are many University course specialising in food production. One of the best is UCC’s Diploma in Specialty Food Production. The Diploma is for those who want to produce and sell speciality foods or as a way of adding value to their farm’s produce. See the video below.
4: Organic food
If organic farming and organic food are more to your tastes, your first port of call should be the Organic Trust.
5: Bord Bia’s Food Academy
Whether you are starting a food business or are in the early stages and looking to grow, the Food Academy is worth contacting.
6: Franchising
This is an option for people with cash who want to invest in a recognisable food/retail/restaurant brand. There are pros and cons to franchising, so make sure to do your research. The Irish Franchise Association’s site is a good place to start.
7: The Teagasc Factsheets
Whether you want to launch a goat farm or set up a honey production company, this website is for you.
