The launch last Friday of the Musgrave Food Business Student Entrepreneurship programme for 2023 will give students in the BSC Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship Degree at UCC the opportunity to gain direct practical experience of what it means to be an entrepreneur within the Irish food industry.
The collaboration between students and producers enables an exchange of knowledge and expertise in a dynamic way, allowing students to try their hand at solving problems that emerging food entrepreneurs face while producers gain access to skills and fresh thinking for their business. To date, the programme has seen significant success with over 130 students taking part alongside 24 Irish food producers.
Originally launched in 2021 and now in its third year, the Musgrave Food Business Student Entrepreneurship programme will see students and producers meet in person for the first time since the programme began.
FOOD ACADEMY
The programme is championed by Musgrave’s SuperValu Food Academy producer development programme. The Food Academy at SuperValu, which is run in conjunction with Bord Bia and the Local Enterprise Office, gives start-up and early-stage food and drink producers an opportunity to get their products on SuperValu shelves.
The programme, which is an established part of the Irish food industry and is now entering its 10th year, supports 1,800 jobs nationwide. A longstanding supporter of local and Irish, the Food Academy is the tangible embodiment of supporting Irish entrepreneurs, producers and communities.
Consistently delivering high quality, great tasting products, Food Academy producers are enhancing the product offering across SuperValu stores in Ireland.
This year, the initiative is being extended to include Transition Year students from two Cork schools – St. Vincent’s Secondary School, St. Mary’s Road, Cork and Presentation Secondary Girl’s School Ballyphehane.
