In a bit of industry news this week, applications for the 2024 Grow With Aldi campaign have been extended to the end of the month (also a good reminder about the Irish Restaurant Awards nominations)
Originally slated to close this Friday (26 January), the deadline has been extended beyond the weekend, giving Irish suppliers more of a chance to get their products into ALDI stores nationwide. The Grow with ALDI initiative started in 2018 in conjunction with Bord Bia. As a supplier development programme, it’s helped a sizeable number of food producers around the country get a foothold on a national market and a listing in all of their Irish, ALDI investing over €8m in the years since launch.
This week has also seen a good news story with one of the 2022 winners, Matthew Collins of The Sibly Food Co., inking a €1m deal for the Cork company’s handmade energy balls.
Of the 1800 products that ALDI stocks, some 330 are from Irish producers. 2023 winners included FemFuelz (blended protein powders targeting the nutritional needs of the female body), Ian Derry of Milgro Limited for his crispy onion toppers (they’re immense), Nuttin But’s Instant Oat Pots, The Good Dairy Company’s artisan farmhouse ice cream and The Craft Tea Brew Co. for their sparkling iced teas. In all, 28 suppliers have won longer-term contracts with ALDI since taking part in the programme.
Full details on how to apply are available here. Applications should be submitted on/by 30 January.
