Tesco launches £5 million grant programme to improve health of school children

In a quest to provide impoverished school children with more healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, Tesco is reimaging its community funding effort with a new £5 million grant programme that will launch this summer. More than 5,000 schools will be able to apply for the grants, which will deliver a series of £1,500 checks […]

Why it’s vital to keep an eye on the ‘little guys’

One thing every operator should watch closely is the nature and makeup of the competition within the marketplace. Most of the attention goes to the larger competitors, such as national chains and large regional players, and many retailers make the mistake of not considering the small, independent retailers within the trading area. Successful produce retailers […]

Morrisons slashes prices on almost 500 items, but are they enough?

Trying to remain competitive against deep discount retail chains Aldi and Lidi, Morrisons recently reduced prices on nearly 500 more items including some fruits and vegetables. Although Morrisons now has lowered the cost on 1,000 products, it only has committed to those reductions over the course of eight weeks. “We’re now going again with a […]

Vertical farming in UK could get huge boost with investment in Harvest London

There is almost no comparison when it comes to the efficiencies of vertical farming vs. standard farming. From renewable energy to markedly less water use to lack of pesticides, vertical farming can have marked advantages. If there is one potential drawback, it might be scalability. But the need to develop more sustainable methods are growing, […]

Today’s wholesaler offers much more than fresh produce

Terminal market wholesalers in U.S. discuss business environment in Covid-19

Wholesaler: a person or company that sells goods in large quantities at low prices, typically to retailers. I think it’s time to update the dictionary, I’m not sure the definition of wholesaler has aged all that well. Great wholesalers have become diverse operators offering unique service(s) wrapped around an extensive and evolving product offering. A desirable […]

Jooste: Pressure is on, and savvy supermarkets are pivoting to meet economic challenges

Since the fall of 2021, the food chain has seen rising costs due to several factors, starting with logistical disruptions and speculation caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, followed by a post-COVID scarcity of human resources, and recently the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Subsequent sanctions against Russia drove up energy prices and heavily affected […]

Report: UK facing salad crisis because of rising costs, vegetable shortages

An untimely combination of adverse weather and price surges is leading to a shortage of fresh produce and a “salad crisis” in the UK, The Guardian reports. The publication states that February’s consumer prices index (CPI) rose to 10.4%, driven by rising costs in items such as drinks, eating out and fresh food. Poor weather conditions have […]

Morrisons building partnerships with independents who have ties to local produce

Supermarket chain Morrisons announced it will be opening six new stores in a partnership with independent retailer Jempson’s that specialize in “championing local produce.” Under the “Together with Morrisons” brand, the first of the bunch will be located in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, where the supermarket is promising far more direct sourcing of fresh fruits and […]