'We would encourage all customers to visit stores and support your local producers': Lidl’s £4m supplier programme brings 30 new Northern Ireland products to shelves
Fibre-Up canned drinks, Nugelato Ice-Cream and Jawbox Gin amongst new products available on shelves in Lidl stores across Northern Ireland from September 10th
The very best of locally-made artisanal produce has been handpicked by Lidl Northern Ireland to feature in the retailer's Kickstart Supplier Development Programme.
Promising shoppers a real taste of home, the Kickstart class of 2026, which includes 30 new products from more than 16 local producers hits the shelves of Lidl stores throughout the region from Thursday, September 10.
This year's line-up includes fourth-generation Co Armagh apple growers McAlister's Apples, which has expanded into canned still and sparkling premium pressed apple juice with Juist; Nugelato, whose family ice cream roots in Newcastle date back almost 100 years; Belfast-based Fibre Up, a sparkling drink that offers 50% of your daily fibre intake and made with natural ingredients; Londonderry-based Whoosh, which grew from Thai and Vietnamese catering into a range of gluten free rice noodle pots; Jawbox Gin, a Co Down spirits brand inspired by Belfast's industrial character and distilled on a 300-acre estate; and Kennedy Bacon from Co Tyrone, bringing Smashed Bacon Grills Burgers to shoppers.
Since launching in 2018, Lidl Northern Ireland's Kickstart Supplier Development programme, supported by Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), has invested more than £4 million in the initiative, supporting more than 60 Northern Irish agri-food businesses and showcased more than 80 home-grown products to half a million weekly customers across the region.
Many previous participants have gone on to secure full permanent listings in Lidl Northern Ireland, including Holmes Bakery in Portadown, which continues to supply Lidl Northern Ireland stores with their range of traybakes; caramel fingers, sweet mince slices and fifteens.
Kickstart also continues to open doors internationally, with many alumni going on to export their products through Lidl's extensive global network across Europe, the UK and the USA, including Hellbent, the South African-inspired food brand co-founded by Ulster rugby players Louis Ludik and Schalk van der Merwe, expanding into 800 Lidl stores across the UK and Ireland.
Beyond in-store exposure, the Kickstart suppliers have benefited from a six-month development programme delivered by industry experts which covers key disciplines such as quality control, supply chain management, branding and distribution, ensuring their products are retail ready in time to hit the shelves.
The Kickstart Class of 2026 reflects the pace, creativity and commercial drive across Northern Ireland's food and drink sector. From functional drinks and premium coffee to chilled desserts, meat products, sauces and ready-to-cook meal solutions, the 2026 cohort brings together products designed for today's shopper: convenient, local and full of flavour.
Kevin Duffy, chief commercial officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said: "Since launching in 2018, Kickstart continues to showcase the quality coming out of the local agri-food sector in Northern Ireland. Our customers have a huge appetite for locally made produce, and this programme allows us to bring the very best in the region directly to our shelves.
"For Our Kickstart suppliers, this is a very exciting time. Each of them have spent the last six-months working closely with our in-house team to get their products retail-ready and they now get to see them placed on the shelves in all Lidl stores across the region.
“With more than 30 new Northern Irish products in stores from Thursday 10th September, we would encourage all customers to visit stores and support your local producers.”
Michael Bell OBE, executive director at NIFDA, added: “NIFDA has been a proud supporter of Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme for many years as it gives small businesses unmatched access to expert retail guidance, direct customer exposure and the chance to see their products on the shelves of Lidl’s 44 stores i n the region.
“This year’s cohort showcases the very best of Northern Ireland’s agri-food and drink sector and we look forward to seeing them in-store from 10th September.”
The Kickstart programme remains a key part of Lidl Northern Ireland’s commitment to local sourcing, quality Northern Irish products and the long-term success of the agri-food industry.
The Lidl Kickstart Class of 2026 will be available in all 44 Lidl stores across the island of Ireland from Thursday 10 September, for a two-week promotional period, while stocks last.