Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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192. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which supports continue to be made available to the artisan food sector, with particular reference to the need to ensure that the sector here has support equal to that in other EU jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47294/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Food Wise 2025 recommends actions to support the sector to realise its potential, including festival markets, a pipeline for new entrants to the Artisan Food Market at Bloom, promoting meet the buyer opportunities, delivery of small business specific consumer and market insights, and programmes to assist producers to extend business reach.

Supports for the artisan food sector are available from the development agencies.  A number of artisan businesses have participated in the Food Academy programme developed by Bord Bia, Local Enterprise Offices and Musgraves/Supervalu, which has delivered growth and jobs, Food Works (developed by Bord Bia, Teagasc and Enterprise Ireland for start-up food entrepreneurs) and from technical assistance from Teagasc.

The farmhouse cheese sector alone includes over 50 cheese-makers producing more than 150 types of cheese valued at over €12 million per annum at farm gate level.  The sector is innovative with over 17 new farmhouse cheeses developed in the past year.  My Department has supported a three year Bord Bia farmhouse cheese programme under the EU Promotion regime.

In terms of small food businesses in general, close to 500 food companies with a turnover of €100k-€3.5m are registered with Bord Bia for supports and services.  These owner managed businesses tend to produce high-end products with a strong focus on the domestic market.

  In addition, over the last 5 years over 400 new companies with revenues of less than €100k have entered the sector.  Through the Food Academy Start programme, these companies typically start with a standardised support package delivered by the Local Enterprise Offices nationally.  This collaborative approach ensures the skills and capabilities of early stage companies are developed through a ‘learn by doing’ approach and over 300 companies have been given the opportunity to get product on the Food Academy fixture.

Farmers markets remain a valuable entry point for many potential food entrepreneurs and those building a local and visitor customer base.  In the past year Bord Bia ran workshops for market managers to support the development of this important local route to market.  Feedback was highly positive.

My Department provides bursaries for the UCC Diploma in Speciality Food Production, a food science and business course for food producers, potential start-ups and those interested in developing businesses and/or promoting the artisan sector. Bord Bia, Teagasc and the FSAI contribute to the work of the Diploma.  Over 180 students have graduated, many are successfully running small artisan and speciality food businesses.