Darragh Flynn, one half of the successful Happy Pear business, spoke to a packed-out room for the Connect 2 Laois for Food programme on Wednesday last in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.
Darragh enthralled the crowd with tales of how the Flynn brothers have developed their business. Starting as a small fruit and vegetable shop in Greystones, they are now a prominent food producer and service provider nationwide, employing 170 people.
Mr Flynn said, “It is very important that any business continuously reviews its direction on a regular basis. Our growth within The Happy Pear has been relatively fast and we have always been big believers in participating in up-skilling programmes. I would encourage any Laois food stakeholder to seize the opportunity to participate in the Connect 2 Laois for Food Programme.”
Connect 2 Laois for Food
‘Connect 2 Laois for Food’ aims to support start-up and established businesses in the county and gives access to programmes to improve their business.
Thirty food businesses can avail of specialist training and mentoring to help develop their businesses.
‘Connect 2 Laois for Food’ is a project between Laois County Council, the Local Enterprise Office and Laois Partnership.
Ireland’s leading Food Consultants and Retail Advisors, James Burke & Associates, have been recruited to deliver the programme.
Mr Burke said, “The support that Laois County Council are providing food producers and foodservice operators is unprecedented by national standards.”
Project Co-ordinator of the Connect 2 Laois for Food programme, Liz Kennedy, said, “In addition to the networking and brand awareness opportunities, there is also an opportunity to create synergies between the food sector and support agencies in the county.”
The training and mentoring programme will start in September 2017. In addition to training and mentoring, there will be a showcase of food in Laois taking place in 2018.
Places on the programme are limited. Anyone interested in participating should contact Liz Kennedy on 086 174 6370 or on email at lkennedy@laoiscoco.ie.
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