Aldi UK launches £100 Back-to-School voucher campaign to help struggling families
According to new research from discount supermarket chain Aldi, parents in the UK spend a whopping £100 per child in their preparations for the school year. Nearly three-quarters of them say they are worried about their budgets and affordability. To help offset those costs, Aldi has launched a Back-to-School Fund campaign that includes £100 Aldi […]
How Much Value Does Seasonal Worker Scheme Bring? Study Shows Two Sides
A recent study completed by Migration Advisory Committee and research firm Revealing Reality shows mixed results from the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme (SWS) employed by the government to help provide labour assistance on farms. While overall sentiment is positive – it’s hard to deny the helping hand that thousands of visa workers give to the […]
Is plastic packaging good or bad? Canadian study importantly notes benefits of food safety, protection
A study commissioned by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) highlights the critical role of packaging in fresh produce supply chains by quantifying the functionality of plastic packaging in fresh produce from a needs/benefit perspective. Although the study does not consider the impacts of packaging regulatory scenarios on fresh produce cost […]
Potatoes have a lot of problems, but here are 5 ways to give them a lift in foodservice
Potatoes have a problem. Maybe more than one problem. Right now, historically low prices are the biggest challenge for grower/packer/shippers. This leads menu R&D professionals to take them for granted as a low-cost, always-available ingredient. Potatoes have a high menu penetration, and are often viewed by foodservice professionals as a cheap plate-filler. When portions are […]
Shoppers still seeking deals as grocery inflation rises for first time since March 2023
Grocery inflation increased slightly during the four-week period leading up to 4 August, but experts at Kantar International say it is not significant enough to spark concern. Though the jump from 1.6% to 1.8% marks the first time in nearly 18 months that grocery inflation has risen, the current rate is close to levels seen […]
Driven by success in UK and Ireland, Dole reports boost in fresh fruit revenue in Q2
Fruit and vegetable producer and distributor Dole plc, reports a 1.5% increase in fresh fruit revenue during the second quarter of 2024, with a value of $851 million – an increase of $12 million from last year. The uptick was primarily driven by higher banana volumes in Europe and North Africa, increased banana prices, and a higher […]
As blueberries soar in popularity, Tesco and Hall Hunter vow to expand growing in UK
Demand continues to grow across the UK for sweet and nutrient-packed blueberries, according to new data released by supermarket chain Tesco. The retailer reports it has seen a 27% rise in interest from consumers, and they will buy nearly 57,000 tonnes of the plump fruit this year. Much of those purchases will come from imports, […]
FareShare survey shows 30% of parents are purchasing fewer fruits this year
The Food Foundation estimates that more than 10 million people in the UK don’t get enough food to eat each year. And yet, more than 6 million tonnes of food goes to waste, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. Gathering and redistributing surplus food, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, is one of the […]
