‘Grow with Aldi’ calls on Irish producers to back their business in 2023
Now in its sixth year, Grow with Aldi entries are open until 30 January
Print24 January 2023
For Irish producers out there, whether you are a budding butcher, an expert condiment maker or a third-generation baker, Grow with Aldi wants to hear from you.
This year, Aldi says it is looking to back bright, bold businesses powered by passion and innovation and help take them to the next level.
Grow with Aldi is a supplier development programme like no other, helping the very best small to medium sized business build their brand and take the next step on their entrepreneurial journey.
Undertaken in conjunction with Bord Bia, the mentor scheme sees Aldi champion emerging Irish artisan producers and offer their products with a valuable national platform, thus serving as a springboard for success. As well as that, it allows Aldi customers to sample the finest of Irish artisan food and drink.
Now in its sixth year, applicants from food and non-food categories are invited to submit their product for consideration with the window for entries open from 3 January to 30 January.
All products will be assessed by a judging panel with successful applicants having their products launched in all 155 Aldi stores nationwide in May as part of the popular Grow with Aldi Specialbuy promotion. From there, lucky winners will be offered further development opportunities with Aldi. These chosen few will receive valuable mentoring and participate in a number of workshops in topics like buying process, supply chain management and social media marketing as well as a number of one-on-one sessions with the Aldi buying team, the Aldi marketing team and experts from Bord Bia.
Since its inception, over 230 producers have taken part in Grow with Aldi and helped grow their business with the programme producing countless success stories. Take Matthew Collins of The Sibly Food Co. in Co. Cork for example. Matthew started making energy balls for his friends and classmates in college. After selling them at a Christmas market, he started receiving hundreds of orders per week and developed a loyal customer base around Cork and Kerry. Matthew was selected to take part in Grow with Aldi last year and saw his products stocked on shelves nationwide before ultimately being selected as one of five winners for Grow with Aldi 2022 and awarded a core contract.
“At ALDI, we are steadfast in our support of dynamic Irish food and drink producers,” said Laura Harper, Aldi buying director. “We are passionate about offering Irish consumers great value, great tasting food and drink from local suppliers. That’s why we are delighted to partner with Bord Bia on Grow with Aldi for the sixth year running.”
Last year, 43 products from 24 suppliers went on sale as part of the Grow with Aldi Specialbuys events. Five producers were selected to have their products stocked in Aldi stores nationwide and secured a core or seasonal contract. They were:
- Cully’s Bakery from Co. Cavan
- The Sibly Food Co. from Co. Cork
- Hanley’s Puddings from Co. Cork
- Vale & Acre from Co. Tipperary
- Builín Blasta from Co. Galway
For more information on the Grow with Aldi programme, visit www.ALDI.ie/grow.
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