This Portal is now open (March 2023) for applications to the 2023/24 Programme.
If you are interested in this programme for 2023, please ensure that you contact your LEO for advice, complete a Food Starter Programme and / or apply for Mentoring with a Food Mentor to get you ready to be able to apply for Food Academy 2023/2024.
Key Dates:
Applications Portal is open from 13th March to April 7th 2023
The deadline for 2023/2024 FA applications – April 7th 2023
Interviews for places will take place start of June 2023
LEO Finance Webinar – June 2023
Workshops 1 – 10:- Sept 2023 to Feb 2024
Trial Period with SuperValu Stores: TBC 2024
Eligibility
Eligibility
The Food Academy is aimed at those in the early to mid-stages of developing a food or drink business who have already developed a product, trialled it in the marketplace & are looking to scale up and grow their business.
The programme is open to all micro-enterprises with up to ten employees except those involved in activities that the Local Enterprise Offices consider as ineligible (primary agricultural, fishery or aquaculture, coal and steel sectors) and those involving an unacceptable reputational risk including gambling, ‘gaming’ (as defined in the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956), adult entertainment, tobacco products and cannabis-based products which are not authorised as medicines).