Food Businesses in Donegal will be able to demonstrate they have the right recipe for success by entering a brand new category for Food Coast Businesses at this year’s Local Enterprise Awards.
A total of 8 awards will be presented in separate categories, with a prize of €1,000 up for grabs for the Food Coast award.
The competition is open to all businesses in Donegal that employ less than 50 full-time staff, but businesses who enter must have been in receipt of direct Local Enterprise Office supports under one or more of the following interventions: Grant aid; Mentoring Programme; Trading Online Voucher Scheme; Participation on LEO Training Programmes; MicroFinance Ireland Scheme.
Head of Enterprise in Donegal, Michael Tunney, said there has been great commitment from the food sector to the overall Food Coast project, as evidenced most recently by the 20 different Food Coast events that were put on by the businesses as part of Donegal Connect.
“Over the past two years we are seeing the awareness of Donegal as a food county coming to the fore, both within the county and at national level and the new awards category will be an opportunity for food businesses in the county to really showcase how strong the sector is,” he said.
The Head of Enterprise pointed to the exceptional pride shown in the sector during the judging for the recent Foodie Destination Awards as evidence of the esteem those in the sector now have for Donegal food.
“From the launch of our Food Coast Experiences to the recent best practice trip to Ayrshire in Scotland and a host of events and activities in between, we know that this a growing and thriving sector in Donegal and plays a huge role in creating employment right around the county.
The awards are a perfect opportunity for food businesses to showcase their hard work and success and I hope as many as possible will take the opportunity to get their application in before the deadline,” Mr. Tunney added.
To enter, applicants must submit a soft copy of a simple application form and a recent set of financial statements before the closing date of 12 noon on Monday 11 November
Forms are available to download from www.localenterprise.ie/donegal and completed applications should be should be e.mailed to grace.korbel@leo.donegalcoco.ie before 12 noon on Monday 11 November 2019.
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