Tipp producers selected for retailer's development programme

Two Tipperary producers receive a ‘Kickstart’ from Lidl Ireland

Rívesci Ltd & Walsh's Gourmet Butcher amongst 48 Irish suppliers selected for this year’s Kickstart supplier development programme which will showcase 112 new products instore this September

Lidl Ireland is set to give a ‘Kickstart’ to a new batch of 48 Irish producers from across the country who successfully earned a place on the retailer’s coveted Kickstart Supplier Development Programme – an initiative that the retailer has invested more than €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish producers to date.

Following a competitive Dragon’s Den style pitch process to find this year’s most innovative products, 48 suppliers across 20 different counties were selected as the cream of the crop after an intensive application process which saw producers put through their paces with a business pitch to Lidl’s buying team and a taste test to select the best in category. This included

Rívesci Ltd and Walsh's Gourmet Butcher, both from Clonmel.

Successful producers will now see their artisan offerings on sale on Lidl shelves across its 220 stores across the island of Ireland from September 19th for a limited time, while stocks last. This includes Rívesci’s Chilli Catsup and Walsh's Gourmet Burgers both of which will be available in Lidl stores nationwide.

Rívesci is the brainchild of Shannon Forrest and Declan Malone, a Michelin Star trained chef who wanted something special to slather over the toasties and sandwiches. Handmade in small batches with Irish Cider Vinegar, Rívesci’s Chilli Catsup is a sweet moreish condiment that will see itself as your go-to dip for chips, sploshed on a breaded chicken burger and slathered on your cheese toastie or a gorgeous companion to all on your charcuterie board.

Walsh's Gourmet Butcher is a speciality butchers shop in Clonmel opened in March 2018 by local butcher Kevin Walsh. Kevin & his team are passionate about local fresh & innovative Irish produce and are known for going above & beyond in product sourcing, butchery innovation and food production.

From high-quality convenience foods, fish and meat, to beauty, baking, ice cream, condiments and beers – as well as the programme’s first ever pet food item – this year’s assortment will have something for everyone, with a marked focus on unveiling some of Ireland’s best circular economy products to offer more sustainable choice for customers.

Before the products hit the shelves, this six-month development programme offers suppliers dedicated business support from Lidl’s in-house experts, advancing their product, brand and business with practical guidance on how to scale production, drive production efficiency, as well as product development and packaging support, allowing them to optimise on-shelf opportunities in the Autumn and scale for success.

Now in its eighth year, and supported by Bord Bia, this year’s programme saw a record number of applicants from every province in Ireland.

This year’s Kickstart intake of quality Irish producers includes a number of innovative sustainable products such as sisters Aisling & Sadhbh Wood’s Bean Around Exfoliating Coffee Bars made from used coffee beans and Hayden Smyth’s Pup Pup Dental Chews, a sustainable insect-based dog treat, and delicious healthy alternatives such Emi Takakura’s Slice of Life Pizza, a frozen high protein pizza with a cauliflower crust made with all-natural ingredients and recyclable packaging.

The Kickstart 2024 suppliers group will offer customers a variety of restaurant-quality food products to try at home such as Sofie Rooney’s Chimac Sauces which introduces Korean and Sriracha flavours to households, Niall Sabongi’s Smoked Haddock Lasagne celebrating the heritage and quality seafood products sourced from the Irish sea and Conor Sweeny’s Dae Bites, delicious brownie and cookie bites which are free from 13 of the 14 top allergens.

More established brands will also be on sale in Lidl this September, with Rachel Nolan’s dairy-free, vegan ice cream Nobó Frozen Goodness and Aisling Tuck’s Naked Bakes Cookie Dough available for the first time to new and existing customers.

With 112 new products listed for this year’s Kickstart programme, the retailer will add significantly to its annual goods and services procurement spend of €1.6 billion in Ireland.

Since its launch in 2016, Lidl has invested €30 million in supporting over 250 Irish businesses through the Kickstart programme. Many Kickstart suppliers have also benefitted from having their products exported across Lidl’s international network of stores.