Laois-based company encourages start-ups to apply for Food Academy

Laois-based Ballykilcavan Brewing Company, is encouraging start-up and early-stage food and drink Irish businesses to apply for the Food Academy 2024. 

The programme is actively seeking applications from budding start-up and early-stage food and drink producers across Ireland. Now in its 11th year, this extended commitment highlights the sustained success and positive impact the Food Academy has had on the local Irish food and drink industry.

Speaking about their business and experience with Food Academy, David and Lisa Walsh-Kemmis, founders of Ballykilcavan Brewing Company said, “We set up our business on our tillage farm in Stradbally, Co. Laois in 2016, spanning 13 generations since 1639. 

The establishment of our on-farm brewery by the Walsh-Kemmis family marks a pivotal moment in our legacy. With a commitment to sustainability and maintaining our Origin Green Sustainability status, we proudly source our barley, water and some hops from the estate. Each beer, named after a specific location on our farm, not only showcases full ingredient traceability but also highlights the distinctive terroir of Ballykilcavan, underscoring our dedication to preserving our farm's rich heritage. Working with the Food Academy has been hugely beneficial for us – in terms of knowledge sharing, educating on best practice, as well as bringing our beers onto shelves in-store and into the hands of our customers. As the stores are owned and managed locally, we have been able to approach stores in our area to stock the beers and expand the locations where they are available.”

Laois food producer business takes part in 2023 Food Academy programme

Over the past 11 years, more than 1,000 producers from all 26 counties of Ireland have successfully completed the Food Academy programme. This initiative has provided these entrepreneurs with a unique opportunity to showcase their innovative products on SuperValu shelves all year round. Since its inception in 2013, Food Academy producers have collectively generated €230 million in product sales within SuperValu, supporting 1,500 jobs in the economy. 
Apply for the Food Academy today through your Local Enterprise Office: https://www.localenterprise.ie/FoodSupports/Food-Academy-Programme/ 

The closing date for applications is April 5th, 2024