Lidl boost for smaller Northern Irish smaller food companies

German discounter Lidl is offering smaller food and drink processors in Northern Ireland an opportunity to have their products on the shelves of its stores throughout Ireland and even further afield.

The company has launched the Kick Start Development Programme, which is designed to provide small and medium-sized suppliers with the support they need to grow their supply network.

For 2018 Lidl said it will select 80 new products sourced from throughout the island of Ireland to feature in a Kick Start in-store food promotion which will go on sale in September 2018.

From that group, three have the chance to impress buyers in Lidl's global network in 29 countries by being showcased at Lidl's International Food Expo. The Lidl team will work with the selected companies to help them prepare for a listing.

Liam Casey, commercial director for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said the supermarket wants to encourage more local companies to come forward.

"We are extremely proud of our Northern Ireland supplier portfolio, and see Kick Start as an opportunity to support more local companies, particularly those who are keen to enhance and expand their distribution capabilities," he added.

"Lidl recognises that moving into higher-volume markets, and gaining national, international and indeed global reach, is a challenge for many SMEs and Kick Start is aimed precisely at equipping local companies to meet that challenge head on."

Lidl, which first opened in Northern Ireland in 1999, has around 200 stores on the island including 152 stores across the Republic of Ireland. Almost 50 percent of all grocery sales in Lidl's stores across the island are generated from products sourced from suppliers, producers, and manufacturers in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The retailer, which already employs 700 people here, currently buys fresh meat and poultry, cooked and breakfast meats, dairy, eggs, breads, cakes, and cheeses, as well as seasonal fresh vegetables and fruit from Northern Ireland for its network of local stores.

Established local suppliers include household names such as meat processors Linden Foods and Dunbia in Dungannon, poultry leader Moy Park and Irwin's Bakery, both based in Craigavon, Hovis in Belfast and Strathroy Dairies in Omagh. Smaller producers such as oat miller White's Speedicook in Tandragee, UMI Foods in Armagh, a specialist in convenience meals, and Portadown's Gilfresh, a leading supplier of fresh vegetables.

The extensive network of stores is serviced by regional distribution centre located at Nutt's Corner in county Antrim.

Pictured: Liam Casey, commercial director of Lidl Ireland