Whether you are a budding butcher, an expert condiment maker or a third-generation baker, Grow with ALDI wants to hear from you! This year, ALDI is looking to back bright, bold businesses from across Galway that want to take their brand to the next level.
Grow with ALDI is a supplier development programme like no other, helping the very best small to medium sized businesses build their brand and take the next step on their entrepreneurial journey.
Undertaken in conjunction with Bord Bia, this mentor scheme sees ALDI champion emerging Irish artisan producers and offer their products with a valuable national platform thus serving as a springboard for success. As well as that, it allows ALDI customers to sample the finest of Irish artisan food and drink. Win win!
Now in its sixth year, Grow with ALDI 2023 is open for business! Applicants from food and non-food categories are invited to submit their product for consideration with the window for entries open until to January 30.
All products will be assessed by a judging panel with successful applicants having their products launched in all 155 ALDI stores nationwide in May as part of the popular Grow with ALDI Specialbuy promotion.
From there, lucky winners will be offered further development opportunities with ALDI. They will receive valuable mentoring and participate in a number of workshops in topics like buying process, supply chain management and social media marketing as well as a number of one-on-one sessions with the ALDI Buying team, the ALDI marketing team and experts from Bord Bia.
Since its inception, over 230 producers have taken part in Grow with ALDI and helped grow their business with the programme producing countless success stories, including several from across Connacht.
Take Matthew Collins of The Sibly Food Co. in Co. Cork for example. Matthew started making energy balls for his friends and classmates in college. After selling them at a Christmas market, he started receiving hundreds of orders per week and developed a loyal customer base around Cork and Kerry. Matthew was selected to take part in Grow with ALDI last year and saw his products stocked on shelves nationwide before ultimately being selected as one of five winners for Grow with ALDI 2022 and awarded a core contract.
Speaking about the scheme, Matthew Collins of Ballydesmond based The Sibly Food Co. said: “Grow with ALDI has been a game changer for The Sibly Food Co. It has provided us with the tools and resources to grow, develop and thrive as a business. Over the course of the programme, we received helpful advice on all aspects of the business from the teams in ALDI and Bord Bia. As a result, we now feel supported and empowered as we continue on with our business journey. I 100% encourage all small and medium sized businesses to back themselves and apply for this year’s programme.”
Speaking about the programme launch, Laura Harper, ALDI Buying Director, said: “At ALDI, we are steadfast in our support of dynamic Irish food and drink producers. We are passionate about offering Irish consumers great value, great tasting food and drink from local suppliers. That's why we are delighted to partner with Bord Bia on Grow with ALDI for the sixth year running.
We are calling on local businesses across Galway to apply for this year’s Grow with ALDI programme and be in with the chance of securing a further contract with the store. Best of luck to everyone and I look forward to seeing what amazing products we discover this year!”
Back your business and back your passion by entering Grow with ALDI. And who knows? Next year, it could be you!
For more information on the Grow with ALDI programme, visit www.ALDI.ie/grow
