Laois producers invited to apply for additional LEADER funding

Artisan food producers in Laois are being urged to apply for funding under the LEADER Food Initiative.  

Minister Pippa Hackett,  Minister Heather Humphreys and Charlie McConalogue announced an additional €883,000 in funding for the LEADER Food Initiative (LFI) Scheme. 

This scheme supports artisan, micro, small food producers or on-farm diversification enterprises in rural Ireland.

“This funding call will support farmers and other artisan, micro and small food businesses in the Midlands and right across rural Ireland to establish sustainable routes to market and to showcase their locally grown and produced, high quality, sustainable Irish food,” said Minister Hackett. 

“The call is targeted at eligible small food businesses in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government to support the small food producer, providing support for on-farm diversification enterprises and investment in local processing facilities, allowing farmers to sell their products into the local and wider domestic markets”.

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“Each enterprising step taken towards sustainable employment for themselves and others, no matter how small, is another thread woven into the fabric of a local community. I am delighted to be part of a Government supporting this and particularly in an area of personal interest to me; local and sustainable food. I know from my own area of the Midlands that there is a wealth of food expertise and ideas for development and I encourage all eligible producers to avail of this opportunity of support,” she said. 

The maximum amount of funding per project permitted under this call is €200,000  and funding proposals must not be for less than €5,000 per project. Potential applicants are encouraged to engage with their Local Action ( Leader ) Groups with regard to the deadline for applications of August 31, 2023.