Saturday, 04 October 2025
Wexford’s GreenTechHQ Unveils The Food Studio GreenTechHQ, Ireland’s first Sustainability Innovation Hub, has officially opened The Food Studio at its Enniscorthy Technology Park campus. This initiative aims to serve as a collaborative space for food entrepreneurs, producers, and innovators across the Southeast of Ireland, with a strong focus on sustainable food production, testing, and regional […]
GreenTechHQ, Ireland’s first Sustainability Innovation Hub, has officially opened The Food Studio at its Enniscorthy Technology Park campus. This initiative aims to serve as a collaborative space for food entrepreneurs, producers, and innovators across the Southeast of Ireland, with a strong focus on sustainable food production, testing, and regional development.
The Food Studio has been co-funded through a LEADER grant via Wexford Local Development, with the goal of creating a platform for local food producers to innovate, test products, explore export potential, and access industry expertise. The space will also offer educational and mentoring support for early-stage food businesses.
At the launch, which featured tastings from local producers including Reachability, Naturally Cordial, and Old Roots Vineyard, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke, T.D., was in attendance, along with key stakeholders and industry leaders.
“The Food Studio at GreenTechHQ represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking, industry-led innovation we need to see across Ireland,” said Minister Burke. “This is a model of regional development that creates real opportunity for local businesses and communities.”
Food hubs like The Food Studio are playing an increasingly important role in regional climate strategies. By encouraging short supply chains, reducing food miles, and promoting seasonal, local sourcing, they help decarbonise the food system at a local level.
This kind of infrastructure also supports Ireland’s commitments under the Climate Action Plan by reducing emissions linked to both food transport and production, while offering a testbed for low-carbon food innovation.
One of the most promising features of spaces like The Food Studio is their capacity to pilot circular food models. This includes:
Testing zero-waste recipes
Upcycling byproducts (e.g., turning fruit pulp into snacks or natural dyes)
Exploring alternative proteins or fermentation-based ingredients
Such experimentation aligns with global trends in regenerative agriculture and circular economy thinking, which aim to eliminate waste while regenerating natural systems.
Founder of GreenTechHQ, Ed Murphy, emphasized that The Food Studio was created to be more than a demonstration kitchen. It is designed as a multifunctional hub where food producers can collaborate, access support, and grow sustainably.
“Thanks to the support of partners such as Enterprise Ireland, Skillnet Ireland, AIB, and SETU, this facility is set to become a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and job creation in the Southeast food sector,” said Murphy.
The facility will enable businesses to access innovation kitchens, testing labs, and engage in collaborative projects, all with the aim of accelerating sustainable practices and increasing market readiness for regional food entrepreneurs.
With its strategic focus on sustainability, entrepreneurship, and collaboration, The Food Studio is positioned to:
Showcase the culinary heritage of the Southeast
Enable access to technical resources and mentorship
Create new opportunities for small businesses and startups in the food sector
Support long-term economic growth in the region
Murphy added that the goal is not just to help businesses survive but to “prosper and grow – creating future-driven opportunities for the region.”
While the current focus of The Food Studio includes mentoring and collaboration, there’s potential to integrate sustainability-focused business training, such as:
Life cycle assessments for products
Sustainable sourcing certifications
Branding strategies for eco-conscious consumers
This would help local producers not only develop better products, but also understand how to position themselves competitively in a market where transparency and ethics are increasingly driving consumer decisions.
The launch of The Food Studio at GreenTechHQ marks a significant investment in Ireland’s regional food innovation ecosystem. With government support, local engagement, and industry partnerships, the initiative sets out to foster sustainable food production, enhance collaboration, and help entrepreneurs in the Southeast thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
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