Grow with Aldi returns for 2021
Irish food, food service and non-food products invited to enter this year
Print12 January 2021
Aldi has announced the return of its ‘Grow with Aldi’ supplier development programme for 2021, which will see it supporting Irish suppliers, offering them the chance to become a core range listing in all 145 Aldi Ireland stores.
To date, over 500 Irish suppliers have entered the Grow with Aldi programme over the last three years, with Aldi’s investment hitting €3 million.
This year, the Grow with Aldi message is sustainability. Entrants are encouraged to demonstrate how their product/company is focusing on sustainability as a top priority. Non-food related Irish products will also have the chance to appear on Aldi’s shelves this year. The programme has expanded to allow beauty products, to cleaning products to candles and more.
Aldi will pick up to 60 products entered as part of the Grow with Aldi ‘Specialbuys’ event on 6 June 2021. A final six products will then be chosen to become a core range listing in all of Aldi’s 145 stores nationwide.
Developed in partnership with Bord Bia, the programme is designed to help small and medium producers gain experience and exposure for their products. Participants will receive tailored mentoring and bespoke workshops with the Aldi Buying team, the Aldi Marketing team and Bord Bia technical experts.
Last year, over 75 products went on sale in May 2020 as part of the Grow with Aldi Specialbuys event. Six products were then chosen in July to form part of the core range nationwide.
The six winning suppliers and products were:
- Dromod Boxty (Dromod, Co. Leitrim)
- Saturday Pizzas (Little Island, Co. Cork)
- Hellbent Boerewors Sausage (Newtownards, Co. Down)
- The Popcorn Factory Candy Floss (Coleraine, Co. Derry)
- Prokulture Organic Kombucha (Sallins, Co. Kildare)
- The Piccolo Pizza Co. Pizza Sauce (Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow)
John Curtin, Aldi Ireland group buying director, said: “The first three years of the programme were very successful for everyone involved, and Aldi forged new links with fantastic Irish suppliers from around the country. During Covid-19, we were also in a position to help even more small Irish suppliers listing on our shelves as part of the Grow with Aldi programme, so we know that the quality of food and drink produced in Ireland is outstanding. This year, we are asking suppliers to include products that highlight their work on sustainable food and products, we are looking forward to sampling what is on offer, as well as trying out non-food related products as part of the programme for the first time.”
Commenting on the programme, Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia CEO said: “As we enter another challenging period for the food industry, it’s hugely important we continue to support our local Irish food and drink producers. Recent research by the Bord Bia Thinking House revealed that 39% of Irish consumers are buying local grocery brands more often and the Grow with Aldi programme plays an important role in showcasing the distinctive, innovative and delicious products small and medium Irish suppliers are working hard to create. The programme also supports participants as they develop essential business skills and capabilities through workshops and tailored mentoring which is key to building a resilient and thriving indigenous food and drink sector for the years ahead.”
Irish food, drink, food service and non-food related companies with ambitions to take their product from concept to shelf can apply for the Grow with Aldi supplier development programme by contacting grow@aldi.ie. Further details are available at www.aldi.ie/grow.
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