AHFES, the EU-funded food and drink programme for SMEs, has secured additional funding to support sustainability within the food and drink sector, with Northern Ireland food SMEs set to benefit.
Represented locally by the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), the innovative AHFES programme has to date provided extensive training and mentoring to food and drink SMEs across the Atlantic area regions of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales, France, Spain and Portugal.
The additional funding of over €235,000 is aimed at the sustainability component of food manufacturing, and to help provide further training and support services for SMEs, helping them to analyse their current status and formulating recommendations for action towards incorporating sustainability practices.
Michael Bell, NIFDA Executive Director, says the AHFES project has delivered considerable benefits to the participating companies.
“We hope that this additional funding will encourage other SMEs to consider implications and possible opportunities from sustainability for their companies,” Michael said.
“The project adopts a practical approach and highlights both the benefits and challenges that need to be considered.
“We hope that it will be the first point of reference for SMEs who are looking at building their business to reflect the new eco-friendly and sustainable approach.”
The AHFES project is primarily aimed at food and drink stakeholders, including researchers and manufacturers from across eight regions.
Currently they are benefitting from a pioneering €1.2 million EU INTERREG funded programme which has been helping boost the sector by creating an ecosystem for growth in this crucial area.
n Further information on the project can be found at www.ahfesproject.com/
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.
