Local food artisan is listed by Aldi Ireland

By SAM BUTLER

Six Northern Ireland food and drink producers are being given an opportunity to win long-term business with Aldi Ireland.

After receiving applications from nearly 200 suppliers across food, drinks and non-food products, Aldi has selected an impressive group of entrepreneurs as this year’s Grow with Aldi finalists.

The six Northern Ireland companies are among a total of 24 home-grown suppliers, from across the island of Ireland, which will see their products go on sale in 150 Aldi stores across the Republic for a two-week period starting today (May 19), enabling customers to sample the finest of Irish artisan produce and show their support for Irish businesses.

Undertaken in partnership with Irish food promotion body Bord Bia, Grow with Aldi is now in its fifth year and puts adventure into Irish ventures through mentorship and retail support to nurture small to medium-sized Irish businesses and set them up for success.

First launched in 2018, the scheme has seen Aldi invest more than €5.5 million in supporting over 200 producers and gives Irish producers unrivalled access to Irish consumers, ensuring they can grow and thrive in the Irish market.

This years’ Grow with Aldi finalists span 16 counties, from Cork to Down, Dublin to Galway, and products include a variety of mouth-watering products.

From Fairtrade Kombucha and non-alcoholic cocktails to Sweet Potato Pizza and Hot Sauce, the range of finalists has something for everyone.

Successful applicants were reviewed and selected based on their passion for their craft, the quality of their produce, and their entrepreneurial spirit. Adventurous, brave and unafraid to take risks, they epitomise what it means to truly inject adventure into your venture.

The Northern Ireland companies listed are: Causeway Coffee from Coleraine for its coffee beans; Crawford’s Rock, Kilkeel for seaweed seasoning; Karri Kitchen of Portadown for mango curry; La Dolce Vita NI, Saintfield, for chilli sauce; and Noisy Snacks, Belfast, for snackable nut mixes