Lidl Northern Ireland reveals Kickstart Class of 2026 as local producers prepare to hit shelves across the region

 Lidl Northern Ireland has today unveiled its line-up of local food and drink producers selected to take part in its Kickstart Supplier Development Programme. Sixteen small and medium sized suppliers from Northern Ireland have secured a place on the six-month programme, giving them the opportunity to supply their products to Lidl stores across the island of Ireland.

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; Derry-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.

The full range of 30 products from 16 suppliers will land in Lidl Northern Ireland’s 44 stores from Thursday 10th September, as part of a two-week promotional campaign, available while stocks last.

Now in its ninth year, Lidl has invested more than £4 million in Northern Irish producers through Kickstart, which offers suppliers a six-month dedicated business support programme from Lidl's in-house experts, covering production efficiency, product development, packaging, marketing, administration support and scaling plans.

Since launching in Northern Ireland in 2018, Kickstart – which is backed by the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) – has supported 60 Northern Irish agri-food businesses and showcased more than 80 home-grown products to half a million weekly customers across the region.

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.

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

“Kickstart gives Northern Irish producers a route into retail. It opens the door to our stores, our customers and our teams, but it also gives suppliers the practical support they need to grow with confidence.

What stands out this year is the depth of the supplier stories. We have family businesses with generations of heritage, founders who have built brands from small beginnings, and fast-growing producers bringing new formats and flavours to market.

That mix of experience, ambition and innovation is exactly what Kickstart is designed to support. From kombucha and fibre drinks to curry spice boxes, bacon grills, chilled sauces and gluten free noodles, the 2026 cohort brings something new to Lidl shelves.

Over the past nine years, we have seen Kickstart suppliers secure permanent listings, grow production and reach new markets. We are proud to back this next group of local businesses as they take that next step.”

Kickstart has already helped local suppliers move from short-term promotion to long-term retail growth. Previous participants include Holmes Bakery in Portadown, which secured a full permanent listing in Lidl Northern Ireland stores with their range of traybakes; caramel fingers, sweet mince slices and fifteens. 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 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. 

Michael Bell OBE, Executive Director at NIFDA, said:

“Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Development Programme gives Northern Ireland food and drink producers a strong platform to grow. It gives smaller businesses access to expert retail guidance, direct customer exposure and the chance to prove their products across Lidl’s 44 stores in the region.

The 2026 cohort shows the depth of talent in our local food and drink sector. These are ambitious businesses with high-quality products and clear growth potential. Programmes like Kickstart help turn that potential into commercial opportunity.”

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.

Lidl Kickstart 2026 Product List:

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