Morrisons celebrates best-ever year
Morrisons has toasted its value proposition and fresh offer after posting its best-ever sales performance.
Turnover for the year to 31 January rose 6% to £15.4bn, the Bradford-based supermarket announced today, with pre-tax profits up from £655m last year to £858m. The retailer reported that weekly customer numbers were up 7% and said it had completed its Optimisation Plan with all targets exceeded. However, net debt rose from £642m last year to £924m following a £1bn splurge on capital investment.
“Morrisons had another good year,” said non-executive chairman Sir Ian Gibson.
“Once again our focus on fresh food and great value appealed to shoppers everywhere and we have successfully grown sales and profits to record levels.” Despite opening 43 new stores and a new RDC in the southeast in the last 12 months, the retailer said it plans to continue to invest in new stores, manufacturing capabilities and systems in the coming year.
The results come with new chief executive Dalton Philips set to take up the reins on March 29, filling the gap left by Marc Bolland following his defection to Marks & Spencer.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Tesco withdraws four varieties of sandwiches
Tesco has withdrawn four varieties of its sandwiches with 'use by' dates of 5 March 2010 and 6 March 2010, because the lettuce used in the sandwiches might be contaminated with slug pellets.
Tesco has been told by the manufacturer of the sandwiches that slug pellets were found in the raw Lollo Bionda lettuce used for the sandwiches. As a precautionary measure, Tesco has withdrawn the sandwiches from sale in case any residues of the pellets had got through the washing and preparation stage to final lettuce leaves in the sandwiches.
Tesco has put an immediate till block on all four products. This means that no more of the products can be sold.
Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale notices in stores and publishing the notice onto its website, explaining to customers why the products have been withdrawn. If you have bought any of the affected sandwiches you can return them for a full refund.
Tesco has been told by the manufacturer of the sandwiches that slug pellets were found in the raw Lollo Bionda lettuce used for the sandwiches. As a precautionary measure, Tesco has withdrawn the sandwiches from sale in case any residues of the pellets had got through the washing and preparation stage to final lettuce leaves in the sandwiches.
Tesco has put an immediate till block on all four products. This means that no more of the products can be sold.
Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale notices in stores and publishing the notice onto its website, explaining to customers why the products have been withdrawn. If you have bought any of the affected sandwiches you can return them for a full refund.
US: P&G recalls Pringles as salmonella scare widens
Procter & Gamble has recalled two flavours of Pringles on fears that an ingredient used in their production could be contaminated with salmonella.
Responding to guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, P&G has initiated a recall of Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps.
The products contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors. It was revealed last week that the ingredient, which has been used by a variety of US food makers, could be contaminated with salmonella.
A customer of Basic Food Flavors notified the authorities of the contamination and an FDA investigation then identified salmonella at the production site.
Basic Food Flavors then issued a voluntary recall of all powder and paste HVP made since 17 September last year.
The scare has drawn in a number of US food makers and retailers, including Homemade Gourmet, Reser's Fine Foods, Safeway Inc, Ahold USA and McCormick.
In a statement released yesterday (8 March) P&G insisted that food safety was the company's “top priority”.
“We follow rigorous food safety and ingredient testing standards,” the company said. “We are withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety and in response to FDA's recommendation to the food industry.”
Responding to guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, P&G has initiated a recall of Pringles Restaurant Cravers Cheeseburger potato crisps and Pringles Family Faves Taco Night potato crisps.
The products contain hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) manufactured by Basic Food Flavors. It was revealed last week that the ingredient, which has been used by a variety of US food makers, could be contaminated with salmonella.
A customer of Basic Food Flavors notified the authorities of the contamination and an FDA investigation then identified salmonella at the production site.
Basic Food Flavors then issued a voluntary recall of all powder and paste HVP made since 17 September last year.
The scare has drawn in a number of US food makers and retailers, including Homemade Gourmet, Reser's Fine Foods, Safeway Inc, Ahold USA and McCormick.
In a statement released yesterday (8 March) P&G insisted that food safety was the company's “top priority”.
“We follow rigorous food safety and ingredient testing standards,” the company said. “We are withdrawing these products out of an abundance of caution for consumer safety and in response to FDA's recommendation to the food industry.”
BELGIUM: Unilever, Nestle silent on ice-cream talk
Unilever and Nestle have both declined to comment on reports they may be interested in buying Belgian Icecream Group (BIG), Belgian's largest ice cream maker.
According to reports in Belgium, local holding company NPM/CNP plans to sell the ice cream business.
Belgian daily De Tijd reported the potential sale on Saturday (6 March) and cited Unilever and Nestle as potential buyers.
Merchant bank Banca Leonardo, in which CNP has a 19.5% stake, has been mandated to handle the transaction, De Tijd said, without specifying how much the sale could raise.
BIG is Belgium's biggest ice cream producer with a reported turnover of EUR88m (US$119.5m) in 2008.
When contacted by just-food today, both Unilever and Nestle said they would not comment on rumours or speculation.
Officials at BIG could not be reached for immediate comment.
According to reports in Belgium, local holding company NPM/CNP plans to sell the ice cream business.
Belgian daily De Tijd reported the potential sale on Saturday (6 March) and cited Unilever and Nestle as potential buyers.
Merchant bank Banca Leonardo, in which CNP has a 19.5% stake, has been mandated to handle the transaction, De Tijd said, without specifying how much the sale could raise.
BIG is Belgium's biggest ice cream producer with a reported turnover of EUR88m (US$119.5m) in 2008.
When contacted by just-food today, both Unilever and Nestle said they would not comment on rumours or speculation.
Officials at BIG could not be reached for immediate comment.
Food Awards
Just some awards
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodawards
http://www.sussexfoodawards.com/
http://www.qualityfoodawards.com/Home.asp
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/
http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/
http://www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/foodawards
http://www.sussexfoodawards.com/
http://www.qualityfoodawards.com/Home.asp
http://www.freefromfoodawards.co.uk/
http://britishstreetfood.co.uk/
http://www.worldfoodmediaawards.com/
Veggie option from Haribo
Haribo is targeting vegetarian consumers with its new hanging bag, Funny Mix, featuring Strawberry, Cola Bottle and Starfish treats in each bag. The sweets contain no gelatine and are clearly marked 'Suitable for Vegetarians'. They are also free from artificial colours and packed in 160g coloured bags.
Banana is Britain’s most wasted food
The banana is the nation’s most-wasted food – with young single men identified as the biggest culprits in a new survey.
Fruit, salad and vegetables are the most wasted items – closely followed by fresh milk. Single men aged between 25 and 35 living in cities waste food worth an average of £17.43 a month.
The poll by Retail Active found the southeast of England had the most waste, ahead of the northwest, while Scotland had the least waste.
It said a family of four throws away food worth £15.70 a month on average.
People aged over 57 were the least wasteful, throwing away an average of just £3.36 a month.
The main reasons for food waste were identified as poor planning, busy lifestyles, bad habits, laziness and too large portion sizes for both ready to eat and prepared food.
Only 6% of the purchasers polled checked sell-by dates – but of those that did, the vast majority, 92%, chose food from the rear of the shelf to get maximum food freshness.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink
The banana is the nation’s most-wasted food – with young single men identified as the biggest culprits in a new survey.
Fruit, salad and vegetables are the most wasted items – closely followed by fresh milk. Single men aged between 25 and 35 living in cities waste food worth an average of £17.43 a month.
The poll by Retail Active found the southeast of England had the most waste, ahead of the northwest, while Scotland had the least waste.
It said a family of four throws away food worth £15.70 a month on average.
People aged over 57 were the least wasteful, throwing away an average of just £3.36 a month.
The main reasons for food waste were identified as poor planning, busy lifestyles, bad habits, laziness and too large portion sizes for both ready to eat and prepared food.
Only 6% of the purchasers polled checked sell-by dates – but of those that did, the vast majority, 92%, chose food from the rear of the shelf to get maximum food freshness.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink
Booze in a bag? You bet!
Ready-to-drink cocktails come in flask-shaped pouch packaging with surprising environmental benefits.
Multilayer barrier pouches are entering food and beverage markets that were never before penetrated. Spirits are the latest application, specifically ShotPak, a 50 ml flask-shaped pouch filled with ready-to-drink cocktails that can go where glass containers can't. Beverage Pouch Group (BPG) LLC, Sarasota, FL, markets the pouches in boxed multipacks of six and 12 pouches, and the product is racking up sales with distributors in nearly a dozen states.
“There's lots of activity around our new pouch package. Busy, on-the-go consumers are always asking for something new, and our natural ready-to-drink pouches stand out on the store shelves,” says R. Charles Murray, Beverage Pouch Group CEO. “Until now we have not really ventured outside of Florida on the East Coast, but we have seen a lot of national interest, which has been great.”
The three brand categories include: ShotPak ready-to-drink cocktails; Shotpak and California Blue Premiums; and STR8UP spirits. Mixed-drink flavors include everything from popular favorites such as mojitos, cosmopolitans, martinis and pina coladas to kamikazes, lemon drops and sour apple flavors, with color-coordinated graphics.
- new food packaging 2010
- Packaging Digest
- http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/451795-Booze_in_a_bag_You_bet_.php
Multilayer barrier pouches are entering food and beverage markets that were never before penetrated. Spirits are the latest application, specifically ShotPak, a 50 ml flask-shaped pouch filled with ready-to-drink cocktails that can go where glass containers can't. Beverage Pouch Group (BPG) LLC, Sarasota, FL, markets the pouches in boxed multipacks of six and 12 pouches, and the product is racking up sales with distributors in nearly a dozen states.
“There's lots of activity around our new pouch package. Busy, on-the-go consumers are always asking for something new, and our natural ready-to-drink pouches stand out on the store shelves,” says R. Charles Murray, Beverage Pouch Group CEO. “Until now we have not really ventured outside of Florida on the East Coast, but we have seen a lot of national interest, which has been great.”
The three brand categories include: ShotPak ready-to-drink cocktails; Shotpak and California Blue Premiums; and STR8UP spirits. Mixed-drink flavors include everything from popular favorites such as mojitos, cosmopolitans, martinis and pina coladas to kamikazes, lemon drops and sour apple flavors, with color-coordinated graphics.
- new food packaging 2010
- Packaging Digest
- http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/451795-Booze_in_a_bag_You_bet_.php
Deal To Cut Food Packaging
Almost thirty top retailers and manufactures, including Tesco, Asda and Unilever, have signed up to a new food packaging initiative, that could save up to £1 billion. The deal by grocers and supermarkets to reduce wastage has been welcomed by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.He said the scheme, now in its second phase, could cut carbon emissions by three million tonnes.The Courtauld Commitment will see the industry make renewed efforts to help householders waste less of the food they buy, reduce the environmental impact of packaging, and for the first time, address the waste from manufacture and supply.A consultation on ambitious new targets to recycle over 70% of packaging waste was also published today that could save approximately eight million tonnes of waste from landfill, and nine million tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2020.Mr Benn said: "Grocery manufacturers and retailers have already started to take action and have halted the increase in packaging. "The new commitment sees them go further than ever in reducing food waste and packaging, and making it smarter – and I want to see members of the industry continuing to sign-up over the coming months."Phase one of the commitment successfully ran from July 2005 to March 2010.Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO, said: "This new agreement will bring about changes ranging from more efficient methods of production right through to the impact of household consumption. "It takes into account the environmental impact of product waste in the supply chain as well as at household level." She added: "We’re thrilled that so many signatories – old and new - have already committed to this new agreement, and we hope that many more will soon follow their example."
- new food packaging 2010
- http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=107785
Almost thirty top retailers and manufactures, including Tesco, Asda and Unilever, have signed up to a new food packaging initiative, that could save up to £1 billion. The deal by grocers and supermarkets to reduce wastage has been welcomed by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.He said the scheme, now in its second phase, could cut carbon emissions by three million tonnes.The Courtauld Commitment will see the industry make renewed efforts to help householders waste less of the food they buy, reduce the environmental impact of packaging, and for the first time, address the waste from manufacture and supply.A consultation on ambitious new targets to recycle over 70% of packaging waste was also published today that could save approximately eight million tonnes of waste from landfill, and nine million tonnes of greenhouse gases by 2020.Mr Benn said: "Grocery manufacturers and retailers have already started to take action and have halted the increase in packaging. "The new commitment sees them go further than ever in reducing food waste and packaging, and making it smarter – and I want to see members of the industry continuing to sign-up over the coming months."Phase one of the commitment successfully ran from July 2005 to March 2010.Liz Goodwin, WRAP CEO, said: "This new agreement will bring about changes ranging from more efficient methods of production right through to the impact of household consumption. "It takes into account the environmental impact of product waste in the supply chain as well as at household level." She added: "We’re thrilled that so many signatories – old and new - have already committed to this new agreement, and we hope that many more will soon follow their example."
- new food packaging 2010
- http://www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=107785
Gourmet gluten free brand wins over free-from buyers
Hale & Hearty Foods, new wheat and gluten free champions, have reached top notch distribution for the first quarter of 2010. Three months after the brand’s nationwide launch in Waitrose with 8 SKU’s, Hale & Hearty has now secured distribution in over 1000 stores with further listings confirmed in Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s as well as Booth’s.
With currently over 18 in the range, offering a broad spectrum of products for the free-from consumer, Hale & Hearty is keen to offer buyers a one-stop shop to gluten and wheat free for the category.
All Hale & Hearty’s products have a distinct appeal because of exceptional taste and their nutritious ingredients list that compare so favourably to mainstream gluten free available on the market. Matthew Jones, free-from buyer at Waitrose comments: “Hale & Hearty has managed to raise the bar of gluten-free food”
The product offering is premium in taste while remaining affordable for the consumer. Included in the range are grocery essentials for the free-from shopper like cereals, gluten free porridge oats, dried pastas, savoury and sweet snacks and an impressive range of baking mixes and unique kitchen cupboard essentials like gluten free breadcrumbs; popular with kids, families and experimental cooks.
Being a coeliac himself, the founder and MD, Christian Konig is very clear on the company’s vision as he comes from a family of coeliac’s and intolerants who are faced daily with the challenges of shopping in the free-from category. “We wanted to create a friendly, wholesome brand that represented good quality, great tasting food along with strong home values. I believe that free-from products can taste and look as good as regular food and we apply this principal to all new products that we develop.”
- grocery news
- http://grocerytrader.co.uk
- latest food news
Hale & Hearty Foods, new wheat and gluten free champions, have reached top notch distribution for the first quarter of 2010. Three months after the brand’s nationwide launch in Waitrose with 8 SKU’s, Hale & Hearty has now secured distribution in over 1000 stores with further listings confirmed in Sainsbury’s, Tesco’s as well as Booth’s.
With currently over 18 in the range, offering a broad spectrum of products for the free-from consumer, Hale & Hearty is keen to offer buyers a one-stop shop to gluten and wheat free for the category.
All Hale & Hearty’s products have a distinct appeal because of exceptional taste and their nutritious ingredients list that compare so favourably to mainstream gluten free available on the market. Matthew Jones, free-from buyer at Waitrose comments: “Hale & Hearty has managed to raise the bar of gluten-free food”
The product offering is premium in taste while remaining affordable for the consumer. Included in the range are grocery essentials for the free-from shopper like cereals, gluten free porridge oats, dried pastas, savoury and sweet snacks and an impressive range of baking mixes and unique kitchen cupboard essentials like gluten free breadcrumbs; popular with kids, families and experimental cooks.
Being a coeliac himself, the founder and MD, Christian Konig is very clear on the company’s vision as he comes from a family of coeliac’s and intolerants who are faced daily with the challenges of shopping in the free-from category. “We wanted to create a friendly, wholesome brand that represented good quality, great tasting food along with strong home values. I believe that free-from products can taste and look as good as regular food and we apply this principal to all new products that we develop.”
- grocery news
- http://grocerytrader.co.uk
- latest food news
Daniels Group to open fresh soup and ready meal factory in Grimsby
Daniels Group, one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers, is investing £8.5 million in a new food plant at Lakeside Road, Innovation Way, at Grimsby’s Europarc business centre.
The new production facility, which will create over 200 jobs, will open next month (March) and will produce a range of fresh and frozen foods for the UK and overseas.
In addition to making New Covent Garden soup, the UK’s best-selling chilled soup brand, the site will produce chilled ready meals for some of the UK’s leading supermarket groups and a new range of frozen soups for the catering sector.
Rob Burnett, Daniels Group Chief Executive, said the Grimsby site would play a ‘pivotal role’ in accelerating the growth of the £155 million turnover business.
“We chose Grimsby because the area boasts a skilled labour pool with experience of working in the chilled food industry. In addition, the Europarc centre is close to our extensive network of vegetable growers in Lincolnshire which will help to minimize food miles.
“This was an important consideration for us as we are committed to responsible environmental management in all aspects of our business.”
The Grimsby site will feature state of the art production processes and systems and will have a low carbon footprint.
- grocer news
- thegrocerytrader.co.uk
Daniels Group, one of the UK’s leading chilled food manufacturers, is investing £8.5 million in a new food plant at Lakeside Road, Innovation Way, at Grimsby’s Europarc business centre.
The new production facility, which will create over 200 jobs, will open next month (March) and will produce a range of fresh and frozen foods for the UK and overseas.
In addition to making New Covent Garden soup, the UK’s best-selling chilled soup brand, the site will produce chilled ready meals for some of the UK’s leading supermarket groups and a new range of frozen soups for the catering sector.
Rob Burnett, Daniels Group Chief Executive, said the Grimsby site would play a ‘pivotal role’ in accelerating the growth of the £155 million turnover business.
“We chose Grimsby because the area boasts a skilled labour pool with experience of working in the chilled food industry. In addition, the Europarc centre is close to our extensive network of vegetable growers in Lincolnshire which will help to minimize food miles.
“This was an important consideration for us as we are committed to responsible environmental management in all aspects of our business.”
The Grimsby site will feature state of the art production processes and systems and will have a low carbon footprint.
- grocer news
- thegrocerytrader.co.uk
Finn Crisp launches new Plus 5 Wholegrains
Popular crispbread brand Finn Crisp has launched a new wholegrain variety: Finn Crisp Plus 5 Wholegrains which is baked using a blend of no fewer than 5 grains - rye, wheat, oat, barley and millet.
Business Development Director Harri Nykanen of Finnish manufacturers Vaasan Oy commented: “Finn Crisp Plus is a new range of premium crispbreads with higher value per kg, giving consumers an even tastier and healthier crunch. All Finn Crisp Plus products are baked with 100% wholegrain and are crammed full of fibre. Particularly appealing to our health-conscious female audience!” The flour used in the baking contains whole grain kernels, made up of bran - providing vitamin B, minerals and fibre, endosperm - providing carbohydrate and protein energy, and germ - full of vitamins and antioxidants. So as well as being crunchily delicious, these new 5 Wholegrains offer a superior healthy eating option.
With a toasted seeds topping for added value, Finn Crisp Plus 5 Wholegrains come in 2 varieties: 190gm thins and 200gm crispbread. The new range will be supported by magazine advertising and national sampling, with an exciting competition to win a Winter Wonderland Holiday in Finnish Lapland.
- grocery news
- http://grocerytrader.co.uk/?p=5393
Popular crispbread brand Finn Crisp has launched a new wholegrain variety: Finn Crisp Plus 5 Wholegrains which is baked using a blend of no fewer than 5 grains - rye, wheat, oat, barley and millet.
Business Development Director Harri Nykanen of Finnish manufacturers Vaasan Oy commented: “Finn Crisp Plus is a new range of premium crispbreads with higher value per kg, giving consumers an even tastier and healthier crunch. All Finn Crisp Plus products are baked with 100% wholegrain and are crammed full of fibre. Particularly appealing to our health-conscious female audience!” The flour used in the baking contains whole grain kernels, made up of bran - providing vitamin B, minerals and fibre, endosperm - providing carbohydrate and protein energy, and germ - full of vitamins and antioxidants. So as well as being crunchily delicious, these new 5 Wholegrains offer a superior healthy eating option.
With a toasted seeds topping for added value, Finn Crisp Plus 5 Wholegrains come in 2 varieties: 190gm thins and 200gm crispbread. The new range will be supported by magazine advertising and national sampling, with an exciting competition to win a Winter Wonderland Holiday in Finnish Lapland.
- grocery news
- http://grocerytrader.co.uk/?p=5393
Stemilt Boosts Tree Fruit Clout With Dovex
Stemilt and Dovex Fruit Co. are joining forces to become the leading tree-fruit growing, packing and marketing operation in the nation.“Stemilt has embarked on a strong pattern of growth over the past decade, and we are excited to continue this growth by bringing Dovex into our operations,” said West Mathison, Stemilt president. “By integrating the strengths of our two companies, we look to continue delivering premium fruits to the marketplace, while extending the programs and services we provide to our valued customers.”Through the deal, Dovex Marketing and Packing will be combined into Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt’s operations, and the high-quality fruit that both companies are known for will be marketed under the Stemilt label. Stemilt will gain about 175,000 bins of fruit storage and a state-of-the-art apple-packing facility. The Dovex facility abuts Stemilt’s primary packing and shipping facility, Olds Station. The close proximity of the two packing facilities is expected ease continuity of Stemilt’s operations, according to Mathison.On the farming side, Dovex Orchards will become a grower for Stemilt, adding to the company’s growth in apples, pears, cherries, stone fruit and organics over the past decade. The combination with Dovex strengthens Stemilt’s leadership in Washington-grown conventional and organic apples and pears. Stemilt already enjoys a strong leadership role in cherries, organic stone fruit and Wenatchee River Valley pears with its own manifest and through existing marketing partnerships with Douglas Fruit and Peshastin Hi-Up.In total, Stemilt will have over 17,000 captive acres owned by itself and its marketing partners heading into the 2010 summer and fall harvests. Jay Fulbright, general manager of Dovex, will join Stemilt’s executive team, while Mauro Felizia, EVP of Dovex Holding Co., will become a new member of Stemilt’s board. The Dovex Export Co. will continue to function independently.Both Stemilt and Dovex are family-run companies that started decades ago with similar goals centered on providing consumers worldwide with access to a year-round supply of high-quality fresh fruit.
- news for the grocer
- http://www.progressivegrocer.com
Stemilt and Dovex Fruit Co. are joining forces to become the leading tree-fruit growing, packing and marketing operation in the nation.“Stemilt has embarked on a strong pattern of growth over the past decade, and we are excited to continue this growth by bringing Dovex into our operations,” said West Mathison, Stemilt president. “By integrating the strengths of our two companies, we look to continue delivering premium fruits to the marketplace, while extending the programs and services we provide to our valued customers.”Through the deal, Dovex Marketing and Packing will be combined into Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt’s operations, and the high-quality fruit that both companies are known for will be marketed under the Stemilt label. Stemilt will gain about 175,000 bins of fruit storage and a state-of-the-art apple-packing facility. The Dovex facility abuts Stemilt’s primary packing and shipping facility, Olds Station. The close proximity of the two packing facilities is expected ease continuity of Stemilt’s operations, according to Mathison.On the farming side, Dovex Orchards will become a grower for Stemilt, adding to the company’s growth in apples, pears, cherries, stone fruit and organics over the past decade. The combination with Dovex strengthens Stemilt’s leadership in Washington-grown conventional and organic apples and pears. Stemilt already enjoys a strong leadership role in cherries, organic stone fruit and Wenatchee River Valley pears with its own manifest and through existing marketing partnerships with Douglas Fruit and Peshastin Hi-Up.In total, Stemilt will have over 17,000 captive acres owned by itself and its marketing partners heading into the 2010 summer and fall harvests. Jay Fulbright, general manager of Dovex, will join Stemilt’s executive team, while Mauro Felizia, EVP of Dovex Holding Co., will become a new member of Stemilt’s board. The Dovex Export Co. will continue to function independently.Both Stemilt and Dovex are family-run companies that started decades ago with similar goals centered on providing consumers worldwide with access to a year-round supply of high-quality fresh fruit.
- news for the grocer
- http://www.progressivegrocer.com
The Top Food Trends for 2010
There is little doubt that our grocery shoppers are yearning for optimism after the past 20 or so months of this faltering economy. Brand Credibility is more important than ever and both retailers and CPG brands are understanding that without consumers trust, the future will be bleak.
There is a New Consumer Reality; people eating more meals at home, homemakers evolving from food assemblers to cooks, switching brands based on sale prices, and even discovering new store formats like Save-A-Lot, Grocery Outlet and Aldi and making these part of their regular shopping trips.Our most recent Supermarketguru.com Consumer Panel Survey, sponsored by ConAgra Foods, focused on how shoppers were planning for the 2009 Holiday Season. Our survey found that 47% of shoppers planned on not holding a holiday party this year and 23% say they will contribute money or food to the parties they attend in order to "ease the financial burden of the host." Clearly, the sentiment is that "we are all in this together."THE PRIVATE LABEL EVOLUTIONConsumers acceptance and purchasing of store brands are at an all time high, which has made some CPG brands sit up and take notice as they've seen their market share decline. Retailers are threatening to drop established brands from their shelves and add more private label SKUs. And while many shoppers have been satisfied with the quality and price of their store brands look for a radical shift in strategy. "Me-too" is out. CPG Shopper Insights are in; and look for the major brands to develop co-branded private labels with retailers which will feature key ingredients and build on-going partnerships between retailer and brand which will fuel innovations. For example; a retailer's private label macaroni & cheese might soon say "made with real Kraft cheese', or a store brand pasta sauce "made with Hunt's crushed tomatoes" - it's a model well established with CPG brands working together and the logical next step for private label evolution is about to begin.
http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-features-page.aspx?ID=5661
- food week online
There is little doubt that our grocery shoppers are yearning for optimism after the past 20 or so months of this faltering economy. Brand Credibility is more important than ever and both retailers and CPG brands are understanding that without consumers trust, the future will be bleak.
There is a New Consumer Reality; people eating more meals at home, homemakers evolving from food assemblers to cooks, switching brands based on sale prices, and even discovering new store formats like Save-A-Lot, Grocery Outlet and Aldi and making these part of their regular shopping trips.Our most recent Supermarketguru.com Consumer Panel Survey, sponsored by ConAgra Foods, focused on how shoppers were planning for the 2009 Holiday Season. Our survey found that 47% of shoppers planned on not holding a holiday party this year and 23% say they will contribute money or food to the parties they attend in order to "ease the financial burden of the host." Clearly, the sentiment is that "we are all in this together."THE PRIVATE LABEL EVOLUTIONConsumers acceptance and purchasing of store brands are at an all time high, which has made some CPG brands sit up and take notice as they've seen their market share decline. Retailers are threatening to drop established brands from their shelves and add more private label SKUs. And while many shoppers have been satisfied with the quality and price of their store brands look for a radical shift in strategy. "Me-too" is out. CPG Shopper Insights are in; and look for the major brands to develop co-branded private labels with retailers which will feature key ingredients and build on-going partnerships between retailer and brand which will fuel innovations. For example; a retailer's private label macaroni & cheese might soon say "made with real Kraft cheese', or a store brand pasta sauce "made with Hunt's crushed tomatoes" - it's a model well established with CPG brands working together and the logical next step for private label evolution is about to begin.
http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-features-page.aspx?ID=5661
- food week online
Restaurant Brands expect 67% profit rise
Restaurant Brands is forecasting a 67 percent rise in its annual profit to $19.5 million.The company today attributed the improvement to stronger than expected trading over the past quarter of the year, particularly from its KFC stores, and the resolution of a pricing review with a major supplier.
Restaurant Brands, which also operates the New Zealand outlets of Pizza Hut and Starbucks Coffee as well as KFC in this country, said it now anticipated its full year net profit after tax, excluding non trading items, for the year ended February 28 would be $7.8m above the result of the previous year.Early today shares in Restaurant Brands were up 8c, and following the profit forecast, published by NZX at 11.17am, were up 18c to $2. After dropping below 60c in late 2008, shares in Restaurant Brands rose strongly through 2009.
- food industry websites
- food week online
- http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-features-page.aspx?ID=6698
Restaurant Brands is forecasting a 67 percent rise in its annual profit to $19.5 million.The company today attributed the improvement to stronger than expected trading over the past quarter of the year, particularly from its KFC stores, and the resolution of a pricing review with a major supplier.
Restaurant Brands, which also operates the New Zealand outlets of Pizza Hut and Starbucks Coffee as well as KFC in this country, said it now anticipated its full year net profit after tax, excluding non trading items, for the year ended February 28 would be $7.8m above the result of the previous year.Early today shares in Restaurant Brands were up 8c, and following the profit forecast, published by NZX at 11.17am, were up 18c to $2. After dropping below 60c in late 2008, shares in Restaurant Brands rose strongly through 2009.
- food industry websites
- food week online
- http://www.foodweek.com.au/main-features-page.aspx?ID=6698
Morrisons set to boost cheese sustainability
Morrisons has pledged to improve the sustainability of the British cheese supply chain by establishing initiatives with First Milk.The retailer is working with dairy farmers in Ayrshire to develop projects to boost on-farm efficiencies. These could include commissioning research into renewable energy, herd health and data collection techniques. It follows similar moves by Morrisons to develop farmer groups in beef, lamb, pork, poultry and milk."First Milk and the Ayrshire farmers have already identified key areas that are a drain on dairy business profitability and we have agreed to fund the work as part of our farm programme," said Morrisons head of agriculture David Evans.The sustainability of British cheese has been a hot topic in the industry in the past year, with farmers calling for similar dedicated supply arrangements as those in place for milk.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207777
Morrisons has pledged to improve the sustainability of the British cheese supply chain by establishing initiatives with First Milk.The retailer is working with dairy farmers in Ayrshire to develop projects to boost on-farm efficiencies. These could include commissioning research into renewable energy, herd health and data collection techniques. It follows similar moves by Morrisons to develop farmer groups in beef, lamb, pork, poultry and milk."First Milk and the Ayrshire farmers have already identified key areas that are a drain on dairy business profitability and we have agreed to fund the work as part of our farm programme," said Morrisons head of agriculture David Evans.The sustainability of British cheese has been a hot topic in the industry in the past year, with farmers calling for similar dedicated supply arrangements as those in place for milk.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207777
Innocent lures back custom with £1 line
Innocent is introducing a smaller £1 smoothie carton to entice consumers back to the premium category.The 500ml format, in Sainsbury's now and rolling out to other multiples in the coming months, will be a temporary listing, designed to win over new consumers and trade people back up from not-from-concentrate juices. The rsp of Innocent's standard 1-litre smoothies is £2.99. Commercial director Dave Pickup said the trial was already winning back lapsed consumers. "During the recession there has been a tendency for mums to buy NFC or ambient juices," he said. "People feel like they have a bit more disposable income again."The launch came as Innocent declared it had weathered the recession, with smoothie sales over the past 12 weeks up 20%, despite still showing a small decline year-on-year.A new £3m TV campaign kicks off from April
Innocent is introducing a smaller £1 smoothie carton to entice consumers back to the premium category.The 500ml format, in Sainsbury's now and rolling out to other multiples in the coming months, will be a temporary listing, designed to win over new consumers and trade people back up from not-from-concentrate juices. The rsp of Innocent's standard 1-litre smoothies is £2.99. Commercial director Dave Pickup said the trial was already winning back lapsed consumers. "During the recession there has been a tendency for mums to buy NFC or ambient juices," he said. "People feel like they have a bit more disposable income again."The launch came as Innocent declared it had weathered the recession, with smoothie sales over the past 12 weeks up 20%, despite still showing a small decline year-on-year.A new £3m TV campaign kicks off from April
Shoppers switch to handheld ice cream for thriftier treating
The recession has sparked a sales resurgence of handheld chocolate ice creams, which are now significantly outpacing premium tubs.After slumping 3.6% in 2008, sales of handheld chocolate ice creams which comprise stick formats and bars surged 12.7% in volume and 11.4% in value last year [Kantar Worldpanel 52w/e 27 December 2009]. Tubs grew 4% in value down from 5.2% growth in 2008. Unilever was at the forefront of the resurgence of handheld, with market leader Magnum recording a value increase of 13.5% and volumes up 14.5% [IRI 52w/e 26 December]. This is a marked improvement on 2008, when value grew 10.6% on volume up 0.2%. Unilever ice cream category manager Pete Harbour credited the performance on cash-strapped shoppers reacting to the recession. Unilever's Feast also had a bumper year with value sales growing 17.2% [IRI]. In a bid to capitalise on the trend, Unilever rolled out Magnum Gold last week (rsp: £1.50 per single). With a gold-coloured chocolate coating, the newcomer will benefit from a £3m ad push in April. Unilever unveiled the premium Cornetto Enigma range last month.Mars' ice cream bar brands last year bucked the positive trend in handheld with a 5.7% value slump, and it announced this week that it would launch a limited-edition Snickers Dark Crunch and Galaxy Triple Chocolate in the spring.This week General Mills rolled out its new Häagen-Dazs Chocolate, Pralines & Caramel premium tub, and a new recipe for its Choc Choc Chip tub.
The recession has sparked a sales resurgence of handheld chocolate ice creams, which are now significantly outpacing premium tubs.After slumping 3.6% in 2008, sales of handheld chocolate ice creams which comprise stick formats and bars surged 12.7% in volume and 11.4% in value last year [Kantar Worldpanel 52w/e 27 December 2009]. Tubs grew 4% in value down from 5.2% growth in 2008. Unilever was at the forefront of the resurgence of handheld, with market leader Magnum recording a value increase of 13.5% and volumes up 14.5% [IRI 52w/e 26 December]. This is a marked improvement on 2008, when value grew 10.6% on volume up 0.2%. Unilever ice cream category manager Pete Harbour credited the performance on cash-strapped shoppers reacting to the recession. Unilever's Feast also had a bumper year with value sales growing 17.2% [IRI]. In a bid to capitalise on the trend, Unilever rolled out Magnum Gold last week (rsp: £1.50 per single). With a gold-coloured chocolate coating, the newcomer will benefit from a £3m ad push in April. Unilever unveiled the premium Cornetto Enigma range last month.Mars' ice cream bar brands last year bucked the positive trend in handheld with a 5.7% value slump, and it announced this week that it would launch a limited-edition Snickers Dark Crunch and Galaxy Triple Chocolate in the spring.This week General Mills rolled out its new Häagen-Dazs Chocolate, Pralines & Caramel premium tub, and a new recipe for its Choc Choc Chip tub.
Eggs join ranks of trendy superfoods
The humble egg is vying to join the likes of blueberries and pomegranates on the list of so-called ‘superfoods’.
Researchers are claiming eggs should be considered a ‘superfood’ because they can boost health and help tackle obesity. A study of 71 research papers and reference documents that examined the nutritional composition of eggs and their role in diet has been published today in the journal Nutrition & Food Science.
Despite being low in calories, eggs are a rich source of protein and nutrients considered essential for good health, particularly vitamins D, B12 and selenium. They also contain a particularly rich mix of amino acids.
“The health benefits of eggs would appear to be so great that it’s perhaps no exaggeration to call them a superfood,” said independent dietician and lead author of the report Dr Carrie Ruxton.
“They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available.”
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207824
- latest news
The humble egg is vying to join the likes of blueberries and pomegranates on the list of so-called ‘superfoods’.
Researchers are claiming eggs should be considered a ‘superfood’ because they can boost health and help tackle obesity. A study of 71 research papers and reference documents that examined the nutritional composition of eggs and their role in diet has been published today in the journal Nutrition & Food Science.
Despite being low in calories, eggs are a rich source of protein and nutrients considered essential for good health, particularly vitamins D, B12 and selenium. They also contain a particularly rich mix of amino acids.
“The health benefits of eggs would appear to be so great that it’s perhaps no exaggeration to call them a superfood,” said independent dietician and lead author of the report Dr Carrie Ruxton.
“They are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available.”
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207824
- latest news
Subway Eyes Matching McDonalds in China in 10 years
March 8 - U.S. sandwich chain Subway hopes to match McDonalds (MCD.N) in China by store count in 10 years, its President Fred DeLuca said on Monday.
DeLuca, who founded Subway when he 17 in 1965, said China had great growth opportunity and targeted 500 stores in the next 5 years, with 35 to 50 set to open in the coming year. "If we accomplish that, then maybe in another five years we may be able to match McDonald's store count," DeLuca told Reuters. He added that Subway was looking particularly at second tier Chinese cities for expansion as major ones such as Beijing and Shanghai had already built a good foundation. DeLuca said Subway's growth in China was in the early stages of development with awareness for products still quite low.
"Our biggest challenge is getting customers to try the product," DeLuca said, adding that they were considering lowering the price to attract more customers. A standard subway sandwich costs around 20 yuan ($2.93) compared with 6 yuan for a cheeseburger at McDonalds. Subway, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, has 150 stores in China compared with McDonald's, which has more than 2,000.
"We have a very different business model to McDonalds. We make smaller stores and tend to put a lot more of them around," said DeLuca.
Subway's emphasis on fresh eating and lots of vegetables will help the franchise chain grow as the Chinese consumer looks for healthier options, DeLuca said. He added that China was starting to become aware of rising obesity.
"People are starting to understand there is a bit of a problem. This may match up with our growth trajectory and put us in a position where we can grow quite fast." Subway's China stores account for 0.5 percent of Subway's global network of 32,000 stores with markets such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK making up the bulk of revenue. In 2009, worldwide sales were $13.8 billion, of which China contributed only a "tiny" amount.
- world food news
- http://www.flex-news-food.com
March 8 - U.S. sandwich chain Subway hopes to match McDonalds (MCD.N) in China by store count in 10 years, its President Fred DeLuca said on Monday.
DeLuca, who founded Subway when he 17 in 1965, said China had great growth opportunity and targeted 500 stores in the next 5 years, with 35 to 50 set to open in the coming year. "If we accomplish that, then maybe in another five years we may be able to match McDonald's store count," DeLuca told Reuters. He added that Subway was looking particularly at second tier Chinese cities for expansion as major ones such as Beijing and Shanghai had already built a good foundation. DeLuca said Subway's growth in China was in the early stages of development with awareness for products still quite low.
"Our biggest challenge is getting customers to try the product," DeLuca said, adding that they were considering lowering the price to attract more customers. A standard subway sandwich costs around 20 yuan ($2.93) compared with 6 yuan for a cheeseburger at McDonalds. Subway, one of the largest fast-food chains in the world, has 150 stores in China compared with McDonald's, which has more than 2,000.
"We have a very different business model to McDonalds. We make smaller stores and tend to put a lot more of them around," said DeLuca.
Subway's emphasis on fresh eating and lots of vegetables will help the franchise chain grow as the Chinese consumer looks for healthier options, DeLuca said. He added that China was starting to become aware of rising obesity.
"People are starting to understand there is a bit of a problem. This may match up with our growth trajectory and put us in a position where we can grow quite fast." Subway's China stores account for 0.5 percent of Subway's global network of 32,000 stores with markets such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK making up the bulk of revenue. In 2009, worldwide sales were $13.8 billion, of which China contributed only a "tiny" amount.
- world food news
- http://www.flex-news-food.com
Agency publishes proposals for better labels
The Agency has today published a paper, which will be discussed at an open Board meeting next week, setting out proposals for front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labelling. The Agency is proposing a flexible approach to implementing a single front-of-pack label to help consumers make healthier choices when they buy food.
In March 2006 the Agency recommended a set of principles for FOP labelling that would help consumers easily understand the levels of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars in food products. Currently, the majority of UK food manufacturers and retailers are voluntarily using FOP schemes.
The various FOP labels being used meet some or all of the Agency’s existing recommendations in how the amount of each nutrient (fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars) is displayed. Some schemes also use colours other than the Agency’s recommended 'traffic lights' or use colours as a design feature simply to highlight the different nutrients: for example, green for fat and yellow for salt.
An independent evaluation of the effectiveness of these schemes was published in May 2009. This robust study found that the co-existence of different FOP labels confused consumers. It concluded that the words ‘high, medium and low’ were understood best, and combining this text with traffic light colours and percentage Guideline Daily Amounts (% GDAs) would enable more people to make healthier choices easily. However, consumers in 'citizens’ forums' subsequently run by the Agency, particularly liked traffic light colours as an 'at a glance' cue. In the light of this evidence, together with feedback from a public consultation, the Agency has developed proposals to implement a single approach to FOP labelling.
The Board paper proposes that the way information about the amount of fat, saturated fat, salt and sugars in a product is presented should use three elements: traffic light colours, text and % GDAs. Some companies are already using this approach whereas others are using FOP schemes that provide some of these elements. To assist the transition to this single approach, some flexibility has been included within the proposals, which allow a minimum of two elements be used initially.
Tim Smith, Food Standards Agency Chief Executive, said: 'This approach is all about what consumers have told us they want. Independent research and citizens' forums told us that people were confused and wanted a single approach developed by government. We also appreciate and understand that food businesses are starting from different positions. Our proposals respond to what consumers want but also provide some flexibility for business.'
The FSA Board will discuss these proposals at its open meeting on 10 March in Cardiff. Following the Board’s decision, the Agency will then formally submit its recommendations on FOP to Health Ministers.
Local authority enforcement monitoring data published
The Agency has today published a paper on the enforcement of food law by UK local authorities in 2008/09. The paper, which includes enforcement activity data that has been collected using a new monitoring system, will be discussed by the FSA Board at its open meeting next week.
The data shows that just over half a million inspections and other visits were carried out by local authorities in 2008/09 and more than 86% of food businesses inspected, including restaurants, cafes and takeaways, had hygiene standards equivalent to the top three ratings of the planned national food hygiene rating ‘scores on the doors’ scheme.
There has also been an increase in total enforcement actions against food establishments that do not comply with hygiene regulations. Local authorities carried out more than 167,000 formal enforcement actions in 2008/09 and there was a notable increase from previous years in certain types of formal legal actions.
LAEMS (Local Authority Enforcement Monitoring System), the new monitoring system, provides, for the first time, comprehensive data on UK food business compliance levels. It also provides better analysis opportunities and a more accurate database. New data has been collected for the first time that shows that a total of 2,861 full time equivalent professional local authority staff were engaged in UK food law enforcement as at 31 March 2009. More than 95% of councils reported food hygiene data with the new system.
A joint working group, involving the FSA, LACORS (Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services) and local authorities, has been established to look at ways to drive up standards of food establishments, and to ensure audit compliance by local authorities.
Invitation to novel foods open event
The Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) is holding an open event on novel foods in London on Wednesday 21 April 2010. Anyone can attend, including members of the public.
The ACNFP is the independent group of experts that advise the Food Standards Agency on any matters relating to novel foods (including genetically modified foods) and novel processes. A novel food is a food or food ingredient that does not have a significant history of consumption within the European Union before 15 May 1997.
The workshop will include presentations on the work of the committee and give people an opportunity to discuss novel food issues, including adding novel biological active substances in food and food supplements, public attitudes to innovation and risk, and how novel foods might help promote sustainability of the food supply. There will also be a brief update on the revision of the current European Commission regulation on novel foods and an open discussion arising from audience questions.
The closing date for applying to attend the workshop is Wednesday 31 March 2010. Details of the workshop and how to apply to attend or submit questions can be found at the invitation link below.
Tesco withdraws four varieties of sandwiches
Tesco has withdrawn four varieties of its sandwiches with 'use by' dates of 5 March 2010 and 6 March 2010, because the lettuce used in the sandwiches might be contaminated with slug pellets.
Tesco has been told by the manufacturer of the sandwiches that slug pellets were found in the raw Lollo Bionda lettuce used for the sandwiches. As a precautionary measure, Tesco has withdrawn the sandwiches from sale in case any residues of the pellets had got through the washing and preparation stage to final lettuce leaves in the sandwiches.
Tesco has put an immediate till block on all four products. This means that no more of the products can be sold.
Tesco will be displaying point-of-sale notices in stores and publishing the notice onto its website, explaining to customers why the products have been withdrawn. If you have bought any of the affected sandwiches you can return them for a full refund.
Sales and marketing professionals in demand in food and drink sector
Two in three organisations in the food and drink sector have reported shortfalls within sales and marketing, according to research from fmcg, hospitality and healthcare recruiter Goldteam.
The poll shows that less than a third of respondents plan to actively recruit permanent members of staff and only a quarter expect to increase their temporary workforce. A third of respondents were looking at reward and retention strategies, while 86% said that they would look at upskilling their existing workforce.
Managing director of Goldteam Naveed Ahmed says: “For the food and drink industry, where your corporate reputation can mean the difference between securing a contract – or being completely frozen out, it is vital that employers look carefully at its recruitment suppliers and choose those who are setting the benchmark of ethical and legal practices.”
Monday, 8 March 2010
Graham’s launches 1% fat organic milk
Graham's The Family Dairy has developed the UK's first 1% fat organic milk.
The new milk will go into 380 Sainsbury's stores nationwide next week, in two-pint and four-pint formats (rsp: 90p and £1.85).
The Scottish dairy claims the milk will appeal to consumers looking for a richer and creamier but still healthy alternative to organic skimmed milk.
The growing popularity of 1% fat milk has been credited with boosting volume sales in the milk category over the past year, with the FSA highlighting the development of new lines as key to improving the nation's health.
"People now understand the health benefits of 1% fat milk and are delighted they don't have to compromise in any way on taste or health benefits," said Sainsbury's senior dairy buyer Emma Metcalfe-King.
Graham's increased turnover 20% to £40m last year, from NPD and expansion into English supermarkets.
The new milk will go into 380 Sainsbury's stores nationwide next week, in two-pint and four-pint formats (rsp: 90p and £1.85).
The Scottish dairy claims the milk will appeal to consumers looking for a richer and creamier but still healthy alternative to organic skimmed milk.
The growing popularity of 1% fat milk has been credited with boosting volume sales in the milk category over the past year, with the FSA highlighting the development of new lines as key to improving the nation's health.
"People now understand the health benefits of 1% fat milk and are delighted they don't have to compromise in any way on taste or health benefits," said Sainsbury's senior dairy buyer Emma Metcalfe-King.
Graham's increased turnover 20% to £40m last year, from NPD and expansion into English supermarkets.
Spanish Eyes Will be on Wales at Alimentaria
Welsh food and drink producers are preparing to travel to Spain for the latest date on the international food exhibition calendar – Alimentaria (March 22-26).
Held at the Fira de Barcelona, Alimentaria is one of the world’s leading events for the food and drink industry, and the largest food trade event in Spain.
Five Welsh companies will be exhibiting at the event assisted by International Business Wales on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Food, Fisheries and Market Development Division.
Alimentaria is an important show for producers looking to expand on the world stage, with 4,000 leading food and beverage manufacturers and distributors expected to visit along with 150,000 buyers, and representatives from 155 countries.
Making its debut at Alimentaria will be North-Wales based Rhug Organic Farm. The company, which already exports to Asia and is looking to expand into the Spanish market, will be showing its meats and award-winning pies.
Made from prime, slow-cooked, tender cuts of meat encased in short crust, all butter pastry they are available in four mouth-watering flavours: Steak, Mushroom and Red Wine; Steak and Ale; Roasted Vegetable and Goats’ Cheese; and Chicken and Mushroom. Rhug sells organic home-reared beef, pork and lamb, along with organic poultry and game on its estate in Corwen, North Wales, nationwide to farm shops, delis and restaurants.
http://www.walesthetruetaste.co.uk/en/alimentaria
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True Taste producers have been selected to feature on the new signage
Six award-winning True Taste producers have been selected to feature on the new signage. In order to help its customers locate quality Welsh produce, Tesco is launching new signage in superstores and Tesco Extra stores across Wales.
Six award-winning True Taste producers, a Welsh Assembly Government brand, have been selected to feature on the new signage which will feature on shelves up and down the country. They include:
•Edwards of Conwy,
•Brains Brewery,
•Cadog,
•First Milk,
•Tomos Watkin and South Caernarfon Creameries.
The Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, says,
One of the priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government is to make it easier for consumers to buy food and drink produced in Wales, and this new signage will significantly help in achieving that goal.
Local sourcing of food and drink is one of our priorities as set out in One Wales and the Local Sourcing Action Plan. The Plan aims to support local food and drink producers as well as assisting them in their efforts to access local markets. The Plan also aims to help Wales maintain high standards in food safety, develop local food cultures and reduce "food miles."
The signage, which is of post-card size, will include some background information and a photograph of each producer along with the True Taste logo.
Mark Grant, Tesco's Senior Buying Manager for Wales, explains,
These producers are producing award winning products that carry the True Taste logo, which are recognised by consumers and the food and drink industry as a sign of excellence.
Our customer research tells us that people are increasingly looking out for regional and local produce and we are delighted to be able to offer them a wide range of local Welsh products.
Statistics show that people are far more interested in food production, provenance and buying British than ever before. Research shows that 84% of customers claim they would buy more locally sourced products if made available to them in supermarkets and that 32% of people view local food as a way to take positive steps for the environment. Tesco launched a local sourcing initiative in 2008 and has 450 regional products in its Welsh stores.
- food and drink expo 2010
- welsh produce at food expo 2010
- http://www.welshcountry.co.uk
Waitrose signs up Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal
Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal have been unveiled as the new faces of Waitrose.
Waitrose said the capture of the culinary icons as “food ambassadors” would help position it as “the cooks’ supermarket”.
They will front a new advertising push that begins later this month on television, in print and online – the first time Waitrose has used celebrities to promote its food.
“To have Britain's best-loved cook and Britain's most innovative chef onboard is phenomenal,” said Waitrose marketing chief Rupert Thomas.
“Delia and Heston embody the Waitrose passion for food and, with them, we aim to get the nation cooking, experimenting and enjoying food.”
Smith, whose legendary career spans four decades in print and on television, added: “After many years of communicating recipes… now everyone who follows them will be absolutely certain of being able to find all the ingredients.”
Blumenthal said he was “excited about sharing great practical tips, ideas and recipes with the home cook, to encourage us all to get the best out of our ingredients and add some fun and excitement to the weekly shop”.
Smith is married to the former editor of Sainsbury’s magazine, Michael Wynn-Jones.
http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207632
Blossom Hill returns to ‘heartland’ with popular Pinot Grigio
Blossom Hill is bringing back its Californian Pinot Grigio, which outsold its leading white in 2005 and 2006 but was discontinued due to lack of supply.
Since new vineyards were planted four years ago, enough vines have matured to enable the Diageo brand to return a single varietal Californian Pinot Grigio (rsp: £5.99) to the mass market.
"We launched a Californian Pinot Grigio in 2005 and it was very successful," said Helen Fletcher, brands director at Percy Fox, which distributes Blossom Hill.
"At that time we couldn't get the supply and the amount we wanted, so we went into Italian Pinot Grigio instead and grew the value of the Italian-branded wine category by more than £1m."
Liz Ashdown, marketing manager for Blossom Hill, said there was an opportunity for a big brand to cash in on the popularity of Pinot Grigio.
"The UK consumer's love affair with Pinot Grigio has seen a surge in sales over the past 12 months, but it has yet to be seriously developed under the banner of a brand," said Ashdown. "We feel this is a variety with which our consumer has a very real affinity hence our significant investment."
Blossom Hill has upped its marketing spend behind the 'Welcome to Blossom Hill' campaign by £500,000, with phase two hitting screens this week.
Fletcher said demand from the trade had buoyed the relaunch. "We've been asked by buyers to come up with things from within the heartland of Blossom Hill California. So this is about going back to our heartland."
Since new vineyards were planted four years ago, enough vines have matured to enable the Diageo brand to return a single varietal Californian Pinot Grigio (rsp: £5.99) to the mass market.
"We launched a Californian Pinot Grigio in 2005 and it was very successful," said Helen Fletcher, brands director at Percy Fox, which distributes Blossom Hill.
"At that time we couldn't get the supply and the amount we wanted, so we went into Italian Pinot Grigio instead and grew the value of the Italian-branded wine category by more than £1m."
Liz Ashdown, marketing manager for Blossom Hill, said there was an opportunity for a big brand to cash in on the popularity of Pinot Grigio.
"The UK consumer's love affair with Pinot Grigio has seen a surge in sales over the past 12 months, but it has yet to be seriously developed under the banner of a brand," said Ashdown. "We feel this is a variety with which our consumer has a very real affinity hence our significant investment."
Blossom Hill has upped its marketing spend behind the 'Welcome to Blossom Hill' campaign by £500,000, with phase two hitting screens this week.
Fletcher said demand from the trade had buoyed the relaunch. "We've been asked by buyers to come up with things from within the heartland of Blossom Hill California. So this is about going back to our heartland."
Half of English towns ‘have five or more supermarkets’Almost half of English towns are within a 10-minute drive of five or more supermarkets, new research has claimed. Forty-two percent of towns nationwide are within 10 minutes of five supermarkets, retail consultancy CACI found – a proportion that rises to 58% in the West Midlands. Last month the Conserative party said that if elected it would revive the old ‘needs test’ – ditched by Labour – governing where supermarkets can develop new stores. “At the moment if a local authority knocks back a supermarket chain, it simply throws more cash at the application, pulls in the best lawyers and wins on appeal,” Tory MP David Amess told the Daily Mail. http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/articles.aspx?page=articles&ID=207819 |
Gum brands get fresh with marketing action
Wrigley and Cadbury have outlined plans to restore the fortunes of the embattled chewing gum category.
Value sales of market leading brand Wrigley's Extra fell 11% to £137.9m, while Cadbury's Trident gum plummeted 32.8% to £16.5m [Nielsen 52w/e 20 February 2010]. The overall category dropped 5.6% to £242.6m. Both companies admitted their marketing and sales strategies had focused too narrowly on youth instead of occasions when consumers use gum.
Wrigley is investing £10m in a campaign that includes a TV push called Food Creatures, nationwide sampling and a new and longer-lasting variant.
"We realised we needed to re-establish the functional reason of why we chew gum," said Toby Baker, Wrigley marketing director. "Most of our communications would have been targeting youth, so we are now broadening the target group. We have to make the message more inclusive and get our brand into more people's hands."
The marketing kicks off next month with the Food Creatures television campaign, featuring 3D animated coffee cup, onion and cookie characters conveying a 'fresh mouth message'.
Wrigley has also linked up with takeaway and coffee house chains to advertise Extra's mouth-freshening properties on more than four million takeaway coffee cups and 600,000 curry lids. The initiative runs from now until June.
Wrigley rival Trident was an example of how the category had taken its eye off the ball, said Baker. "We know what is driving the category freshening. If a lot of your news is about fruit, it detracts from what the category is about."
Cadbury said the de-listing of five of its 10-strong Trident range last year had hit sales. It has since revamped packaging with a more "adult" design.
"The wrappers are 'quieter,' with more blank space, and stand out more on shelf," said Lynn Vandeveer, marketing director for mints and gums. "It is now more appealing to a wider and more adult audience.
- http://www.thegrocer.co.uk
- Industry news, Confectionery
- Industry news, Confectionery
Delicious magazine ...
Food Events: March 2010
1-31 March, Meat-Free Month, Nationwide
March is the month of the veggie, and there will be a range of activities and promotions to highlight the benefits of a meat-free diet. It’s not just your health that could improve by eating more vegetarian meals, there’s also evidence that the environment could benefit. Whether you want to bang the drum for the cause, or just eat less meat, there’s no better time to get involved.Website.
1-7 March, British Pie Week, Nationwide
Make the most of the last of the wintry weather this week, as Britain celebrates all things pie! There will be promotions in pubs across the country, as well as a nationwide hunt to find the face of British Pie Week. Why not join in the celebration of this classic comfort food by making your favourite at home? Website. Pie recipes.
Make the most of the last of the wintry weather this week, as Britain celebrates all things pie! There will be promotions in pubs across the country, as well as a nationwide hunt to find the face of British Pie Week. Why not join in the celebration of this classic comfort food by making your favourite at home? Website. Pie recipes.
1 March, St David’s Day, Wales
A day of remembrance commemorating the death of the patron saint of Wales, Saint David, on 1 March in 589. In 2007, a petition delivered to Tony Blair was unsuccessful in its attempt to make St David’s Day a bank holiday. It's an important event for schoolchildren, who used to officially have a half-day school holiday. Across Wales, a variety of festivals and parades mark the day, and it is traditional to wear either a daffodil or a leek on your lapel! Leek recipes.
A day of remembrance commemorating the death of the patron saint of Wales, Saint David, on 1 March in 589. In 2007, a petition delivered to Tony Blair was unsuccessful in its attempt to make St David’s Day a bank holiday. It's an important event for schoolchildren, who used to officially have a half-day school holiday. Across Wales, a variety of festivals and parades mark the day, and it is traditional to wear either a daffodil or a leek on your lapel! Leek recipes.
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Gü pudding ad claims inspiration from David Lynch
The pudding brand Gü has drawn inspiration from David Lynch's cult 1990s series Twin Peaks in an unsettling ad campaign that marks the brand's debut on TV.
The TV campaign, described by ad agency Mother as also having a touch of the ABC hit series Desperate Housewives, features a well-dressed middle-aged woman "drawn into a dark world of sensual abandon", and can be seen for the first time here.
The woman is drawn into a room of a house where a stranger seems to be entertaining a number of woman with the promise of food and the bizarre question "Gü you Ganache?", which has echoes of the backward speaking dwarf in a red suit from Twin Peaks.
However it is not a delicious slice of cherry pie, the favourite of Kyle McLachlan's special agent Dale Cooper in the series, that is the food obsession in the ad but a decadent Gü pudding.
The campaign breaks tonight and will be supported by press ads and a digital campaign.
"We wanted to give the audience a glimpse into the world of 'Ganaching', a dark and sensual place where normal women submit to their desires and indulge in Gü," said Stephen Butler of Mother London. "It is intriguing and indulgent while all the time feeling a little uneasy – David Lynch meets Desperate Housewives."
- guardian.co.uk
- food news
10 Food and Drink Trends for 2010
A recent report from Leatherhead Food Research predicts the 10 food and drink trends for 2010:
- Sustainability: Ecological and ethical consciousness in packaging, ingredient sources and energy resources.
- Reduced meat consumption: Meat flavors will be on the rise as meat consumption falls in an effort, among consumers, to reduce greenhouse gases.
- Fiber: Finding ways to boost consumer consumption of this key ingredient will bring fortified products to the fore.
- Simplified and local: Natural and locally produced food will gain ground, as will products with stripped-down ingredient lists.
- Convenience: As families shrink in size due to increasing numbers of childless couples, convenience will become a more desirable product feature.
- Natural, performance-oriented: The energy drink and food boom will continue, but with a shift towards more natural products.
- Brain health: In addition to energy, products that promote “sustained cognitive development” will continue to be of high interest, especially in the backdrop of the ageing population trend and increasing focus on children’s mental development.
- Exotic chocolate: Chocolate, benefitted from a boom in dark and premium varieties and is faring well during the downturn as an affordable treat. Sales are likely to be healthy in 2010.
- Ethnic foods, more Mexican and African: Ethnic food growth will continue, with new and exotic ingredients and flavors of Mexican and African cultures influencing the restaurant and retail food arena.
- ‘Time for Tea’ culture: The specialty tea boom will continue as product developers push the ingredient’s antioxidant properties.
- food sector trends
- food and drink trends 2010
- www.perfumerflavorist.com
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