18 May 2015
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
South and East Cork Area Development (SECAD) will host a free training event for food producers in the East Cork Region on Tuesday 19 May at the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork from 9.30am to 12.30pm. The event will be the largest training event for artisan producers in Cork so far this year and will be attended by local producers, speciality retailers and food service professionals.
Artisan producers will have an opportunity to show off their wares to local buyers in attendance, including local hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and distributors.
“Food and drink is a very significant growth sector which is creating viable and sustainable jobs in the region, and we are keen to support those interested in establishing a food business, as well as those who are already embarking on food production,” said Ryan Howard, CEO, SECAD.
“The main objectives of this event is to provide information to food producers in the region that will help them to further develop their enterprises in the areas of distribution, market research and trends, branding and packaging design. The event will also provide an opportunity for producers to meet with potential partners in the region in order to develop a network of short chain commercial activities that will deliver sustainable business over time,” he added.
There will be free clinics available on the day to registered attendees who may wish to address issues in their business, such as marketing, branding, distribution and product development.
Speakers at the event will include Mr. Fergal O’ Gara of Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland who will talk about the SuperValu Food Academy Start Programme and the opportunities that the programme offers to small suppliers.
There will also be successful food business case studies from Denise O’Callaghan of Delicious Gluten Free Bakery, and Michael Meaney of the Nutcase Food Company.
For further information or to register for this event please email: ofarrell.ronan@gmail.com.