Lyons announces £1million micro food business scheme

The aim of the scheme is to enable eligible businesses that are processing primary agricultural or horticultural produce to commence supplying to the retail or distribution industry; or to increase the quantity of products they are selling to the retail or distribution industry; or to move into sales outside of Northern Ireland.

Grants of between £5,000 and £50,000 will be available.

Announcing the opening of the scheme, Minister Lyons urged local businesses to access the guidance notes online to see if they are eligible for the scheme and if necessary contact the Department with any eligibility queries.

“This scheme will help existing micro food and drink manufacturing businesses to have confidence to invest and expand, and to stimulate economic growth and development for our local economy,” he said.

“When the scheme opens for expressions of interest on March 8 it will provide an opportunity for existing micro food and drink manufacturing businesses that are processing primary agricultural or horticultural produce, to apply for a grant of between £5,000 and £50,000.

“I would encourage potential applicants to access the guidance notes online to see if they are eligible for the scheme and if necessary contact my Department with any eligibility queries before the scheme opens on March 8.

“It is essential that the projects funded under this scheme provide direct benefits to the supply chain by improving commercial links between Northern Ireland food processors and the farmers and growers who produce the raw materials, particularly the local farmers and growers.”

The Micro Food Business Investment Scheme Information booklet which details the priorities for the funding and the business and project eligibility criteria is on the DAERA website at: www.daera-ni.gov.uk/topics/grants-and-funding-rural-development/rural-development-grants.

Micro food and drink manufacturers that are ready to upscale to access new markets are asked consider the scheme eligibility criteria carefully before starting to complete the expression of interest form which will available through the above link from 8 March for a six week period.

The Micro Food Business Investment Scheme is one of a series of pilots being developed by the Department and the outcomes and lessons from these schemes will contribute to the development of a future programme under the Rural Policy Framework. Eligible businesses under scheme may be located in a rural or urban area, but it is essential that the business is processing primary agricultural produce, particularly produce farmed or grown locally.

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