Lidl Ireland Celebrates 10 Years of Kickstart with New Class of 22 Irish Suppliers for 2026

Lidl Ireland has today unveiled the latest cohort of 22 Irish suppliers selected for its Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, as the initiative celebrates 10 years of supporting Irish food and drink producers. 

The Kickstart Class of 2026 represents a new wave of ambitious producers spanning food, drink, wellness and artisan categories. This year’s lineup features a wide range of exciting and locally sourced products, from Donegal based Little Mammas Gelato, to RYSE Chocolate Energy Bars founded by brother-in-laws in Co Meath and Cully's famous batch loaf from Cully’s Craft Bakery, a renowned family-run bakery operating in Cavan since 1953. The full range of 50 products from 22 suppliers will be available in Lidl’s 235 stores nationwide from Thursday 10th September, as part of a two-week promotional campaign.

This year’s Kickstart programme received hundreds of submissions from every county across the island of Ireland. Among those selected are father and daughter duo, Kevin and Rachel Byrne, creators of Zingibeer, an independent Irish drinks brand producing an award-winning premium alcoholic ginger beer, based in Smithfield,  as well as Cork based Niks Tea brewing up a storm with their herbal teas and Galway’s Gran Gran Foods, which produces a range of delicious burger sauces sure to add a splash of flavour to any meal. 

The Kickstart Class of ’26 reflects the growing diversity and ever-evolving innovation that is at the heart of Ireland’s thriving food production industry, and includes:

BiaSol (Offaly) brings sustainable, oat-based innovation to Lidl shelves with its nutritious snack range, transforming upcycled ingredients into delicious products with purpose.

 JARU (Dublin) brings bold Korean-inspired flavours with its authentic Kimchi and Korean BBQ Sauce, delivering exciting global tastes for Irish consumers.

Nua Naturals (Cork) brings premium wellness innovation with its high-quality Matcha and Cacao Powder, supporting the growing demand for natural nutrition and healthy living.

Crust Gluten Free (Galway ) brings inclusive baking innovation with its Gluten Free Baking Mixes, making great-tasting home baking more accessible for all consumers.

Shoppers can discover the full product range from the Kickstart Class of 2026 in Lidl stores nationwide from Thursday 10th September, for a limited time.

Now in its 10th year, Lidl Ireland has invested more than €42 million in its Kickstart Supplier Development programme, supporting over 300 local suppliers and bringing hundreds of innovative Irish products to Lidl customers. The programme has also delivered long-term success, with many participants securing permanent listings in Lidl stores, including Slice of Life Pizza, Fused by Fiona Uyema stir fry sauces, Applewood Farm’s apple cider vinegar, and Naked Bakes cookie dough.

Welcoming the 2026 cohort, Kevin Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer for Kickstart at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said:

“Reaching ten years of Kickstart is a proud milestone for Lidl Ireland and a testament to the ambition, resilience and quality of Irish producers. Over the past decade, we have seen small and emerging businesses grow into recognised retail brands, creating jobs and expanding into new markets at home and abroad as they become firm favourites of our customers.

This year’s cohort reflects the innovation and diversity that makes Ireland’s food and drink sector so dynamic. From artisan producers to fast-growing challenger brands, these businesses represent the future of Irish enterprise. We are delighted to support them with the expertise, platform and customer reach needed to take the next step in their growth journey.”

Backed by Board Bia, suppliers have now commenced a six month programme to get them 'retail ready' - learning everything from product development and packaging to labelling and marketing culminating in the all-important two weeks promotional sales period in Lidl stores across the island of Ireland.

Lidl has also partnered with BIA Innovator Campus in Co. Galway which is Ireland’s first centre of excellence for food businesses for a second year running to give an exclusive opportunity for suppliers to take part in industry expert-led seminars. 

Beyond in-store exposure, Kickstart 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 Applewood Farm’s Apple Cider Vinegar which was exported to Lidl stores in the USA.

Adam Baker, Global Retail Specialist at Bord Bia, commented: 

“Lidl’s Kickstart programme is an invaluable opportunity for emerging Irish food and drink businesses. It provides a direct route into retail, while also equipping producers with the tools and expertise needed to scale sustainably and explore export opportunities.

This association plays a significant role in supporting the continued growth, innovation, and global ambition of Ireland’s agri-food sector”

The Kickstart programme, now in its 10th year remains a key pillar of Lidl Ireland’s commitment to local sourcing, delivering quality Irish products and supporting the long-term success of the agri-food industry.

For more information on the Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, www.lidl.ie/kickstart

Lidl Kickstart 2026 Product List:

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