SuperValu backing of food start-ups to create 300 jobs

Grocery chain SuperValu expects 300 new jobs to be created this year as a result of its stores stocking goods from 85 Irish food start-ups.

These small food companies are participating in the Food Academy Start programme, a collaborative initiative between the Local Enterprise Offices, Bord Bia and SuperValu. Participants in the project will see their goods go on sale in 133 SuperValu stores nationwide this month.

SuperValu managing director, Martin Kelleher, said: “International research shows that by shopping in locally owned stores, like SuperValu, three times more money is invested back into the local economy and the Food Academy programme is a perfect example of this.