Dan Webber

🔊 Join us for the next UK Roadmap to Growth Workshop, focusing on Wholefoods and Veg-Led innovation! This event will take place on the 28th of June at the allplants | B Corp™ kitchen🌱 With phenomenal feedback from Workshops 1 and 2, this is a must-attend session for those working within or interested in the whole foods and veg-led categories👍 Participate in one of the roundtable discussions where we will identify 💡 the challenges, opportunities, and key actions 🎯 to be taken forward ✅ Topics will include: 1. Retail food environment 2. Food service food environment 3. Marketing & communications 4. Supply chains & funding 5. Nutrition & healthy habits 6. Policy & regulation (2, 3 & 5 being my personal favourites! 💚 ) There are only a few spots remaining so if you'd like to attend please register asap using the link below: ➡ https://shorturl.at/SLqPM #plantbased #plantbasedfood #nutrition #healthydiets #growth #strategy #roadmap #UK

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Some amazing and timely airtime given by Guild of Fine Food to Organico Realfoods | Certified B Corporation and its founder Charles Redfern reaffirming the mushrooming positivity that's once again surrounding #organics - UK #Organics grew by 5.2% in 2024 and +10% within the speciality indie retailers where there's a particularly significant demand for #ethical choices - #regenerative #farming whilst representing a more forgiving interpretation of common sense farming, has nevertheless helped stoke the wider organics debate. - Covid provided another handy boost to the organics debate as Gen Z thought increasingly about the impact of what they eat on their health PLUS the wider impact of a more socially responsible diet on the world around them. - There's also a ticking time bomb when it comes to the growing body of evidence relating to the damaging effects of pesticides on the microbiome and a growing incidence of cancer - the 4 primary pillars of #organic farming have never resonated louder than they do today: #health #ecology #fairness and #care

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In a brewing industry where hops are driving most of the conversation in terms of newer, more compelling flavours in beer, in my new feature for Craft Beer & Brewing I investigated the growing trend of breweries turning to heritage malt varieties so as to explore new dimensions of flavour in their own beers. I spoke to several brewers, including Toby Mackenzie at RedWillow, Danny Tapper at Beak and Gareth Young at Epochal, plus Alison Milne at Crafty Maltsters and Dr. David Griggs at Crisp Malt to find out how breweries are using these heritage malting barley varieties, what kind of results they're getting from them, and who's interested in drinking them. You can read the answers to those questions here: https://lnkd.in/ge6PsiSk

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🚀 Empowering Growth: Foresight's Strategic Investment in Quality Food Products 🚀 Foresight Group's latest investment into Scotland’s Quality Food Products (QFP) highlights the powerful synergy between innovation and regional growth. 💡 With over £54 million already invested in Scotland, Foresight continues to drive local business expansion, sustainability, and community impact. What makes this move noteworthy? ✅ Leadership Evolution: A new management team, including Brian McMonagle as Executive Chair, promises strategic direction while honouring the company’s roots. ✅ Job Creation: Scaling QFP’s operations means strengthening Scotland’s vital food sector while boosting employment opportunities. ✅ Long-term Vision: This isn’t just about profits; it’s about creating lasting societal and economic value. 🌍 Thought-provoking takeaway: As investors focus on regional growth, how can businesses balance rapid expansion with preserving their heritage and fostering sustainable practices? This partnership between Foresight and QFP is a reminder that collaboration and strategic investments can redefine industries. Could this be the blueprint for the future of regional business innovation? #SustainableInvesting #FoodIndustryGrowth #RegionalImpact #LeadershipTransformation #MeyrickConsulting

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Why do British Frozen Food Federation members enter their products into our annual awards? Does winning make a difference to a consumers view of a product? How does a winner’s logo on product packaging influence consumer buying decisions? I am often asked these questions by entrants, so we decided to find out from Vypr’s 80k strong consumer panel. The results are powerful when considering the value of awards and how to promote winning products. '54.45% respondents are more likely to select a frozen product with a British Frozen Food award winner’s logo on pack' This was great to hear, but why do they think that? '53% of Millenials place a high value on a BFFF winner’s logo, perceive higher quality and find the award particularly reassuring' '45.85% of overall consumers also view a winner’s logo on pack as a sign of higher quality' Highlights of the research show that: Older consumers (aged 55+) particularly value the safety standards implied by the logo, which suggests its potential to resonate across age groups by addressing both quality and safety. Millennials are the demographic most likely to associate the British Frozen Food Awards logo with high quality, viewing it as a trusted seal of approval. So, including an awards logo on packaging can enhance product credibility and consumer trust, especially when targeting millennials and quality-conscious shoppers. A connection between the logo and product standards in marketing communications can further strengthen consumer confidence in the frozen food category. On top of this your products are judged across the UK by 18 consumer panels of twelve people, and a panel of professional chefs, giving your product exposure to your potential market. Take this opportunity and enter the 2025 awards today with the deadline for the retail products is fast approaching on Friday 6th December (extended from the original deadline due a website outage) - do not delay! The Foodservice deadline is 31st January 2025. For more information on categories, the process, and entry forms visit: https://lnkd.in/e8qyj7ta #FrozenFood #ThinkFrozen #FrozenFoodAwards

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Watching Clarkson's Farm has highlighted the fragility of modern food supply chains. Jeremy Clarkson's journey exposes the vulnerabilities of our integrated food systems and underscores the need for resilience and adaptability. From uncooperative weather to global conflicts, it's clear that our hyper-optimised supply chains are susceptible to disruptions. To secure our future food supply, we must rethink our approach, focusing on local self-sufficiency, sustainable practices, and strategic reserves. Discover the lessons from Diddly Squat farm and why resilience in supply chains is crucial. https://lnkd.in/e2Uyhu6u #FoodSecurity #SupplyChain #Sustainability

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Great news, but i'd love to know your thoughts, These results show an almost 29% reduction in added sugar consumption for chikdrem and 40% in adults. However, there's lurks a bigger risk: many have switched to artificially sweetened drinks, which are linked to obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular issues, gut disorders, and more. Producing more low-sugar options that are well-formulated, offering flavour without compromising health is the way forward, but big manufacturing needs to be all over this with better formulations and no get out of jail card for being hit with sugar tax by just replacing one 'bad' ingredient for another more fatal ingredient. Stevia glycosides and sucralose, are widely used as sugar substitutes in these low calorie /zero sugar drinks. While they help reduce calorie intake, they come with potential health risks: Stevia Glycosides: Digestive Issues: Can cause bloating, nausea, and diarrhea in some individuals. Blood Sugar Impact: Despite being non-caloric, studies suggest they negatively affect insulin and glucose levels. Gut Health: negatively affects gut microbiota, leading to digestive disorders. Metabolic Effects: Some studies link it to altered glucose and insulin responses, potentially increasing diabetes risk. Heat Instability: When heated,(pasteurised) it can break down into potentially harmful compounds. Our soft drinks are laced with these harmful sweeteners. do we solved one problem but created a bigger one. Overall, great results but it raises concern for what was the solution.. what are yout thoughts? . #Health #Nutrition #Wellness #PublicHealth

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ABM Briefing: Killers of the Cereal Hamster wheel State of Agrifood tech - 25th November 2024 1/ Finding Neverland in Agrifood Systems A critical look at Gullspång Re:food and Adam Partners’ thesis and recent report on transforming agrifood systems; double-clicking on the distinction between public and private capital; reviewing agrifood investment themes classified based on asset classes. 2/ Killers of the Cereal Hamster Wheel Brothers and Sisters of the Indo-Gangetic plains, whether from India or Pakistan, breathe poisonous air (with AQI>300) today, thanks to farmers getting terminally stuck in the rice and wheat hamster wheel. Peeling the onion layers of this intractable problem to explore transformative possibilities. 3/ Making Sense of ELICIT PLANT’s €45 Million Fundraise Categorizing Eliterra - The Elicit Plant Technology Platform based on ABM Agribiotech Platform Typology; How to evaluate the potential of phytosterols- plant cousin of cholesterol -and other secondary metabolites in agri-input biologicals? 4/ Does India Have a Palm Oil Problem? With India’s palm oil imports increasing, you could argue that palm oil is the most efficient oil crop per hectare, and rising production could improve smallholder farmers' incomes and reduce foreign exchange losses. On the other hand, Papa Nigua's experiences tell a different story. 5/ Rural credit startup SarvaGram raises Rs 565 crore in Series D led by Peak XV Partners Link to the subscriber-only edition in the first comment. <Meme of the Week: State of Digital Ag in smallholding contexts like India when it is hobbled by both “State” and “Market”>

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ICYMI: a brilliant blog post from Jack Thompson that eloquently explains the history of British #foodpolicy and the current challenges experienced in the food system through the lens of Weetabix. This is a great example of a (*checks spelling*) monopsony - like a monopoly, but where there are lots of sellers (farmers) and few (or only one) buyers (the massive global food brokers). This concentrates power into the hands of a tiny group of massive global companies, leading to very poor outcomes for almost everyone else involved - not least #farmers, but often also consumers. #food #agriculture #regenag #sustainability #farming

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I am thrilled to announce our recent investment in My Emissions, a pioneering startup in the food carbon tracking industry. Led by the impressive talents of Matthew Isaacs, Nathan Bottomley, and their team, MyEmissions has developed a platform that not only calculates and reduces carbon emissions but also provides carbon labelling for food products, solving a major problem for the food industry. This solution has already garnered trust among major global food brands, marking a significant step towards sustainable food production. At Raspberry Ventures, we are committed to supporting ventures that lead their categories in addressing climate challenges. We believe MyEmissions is set to make a substantial impact in achieving a net-zero future in the food sector. #CarbonTracking #NetZero #FoodTech #Sustainability #Innovation Rainmaking

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How many times have I used Pythagoras’ theorem since Maths GCSE? It's 𝘢² + 𝘣² = 𝘤² by the way. But yes I had to google that. I had to google it because i've used it 0 times since. In those 15 years though, though, I have probably chosen what to eat about 16,000 times. And while Pythagoras might theoretically help a few people get a job coding at Google, what we choose to eat impacts ALL OF US: our health 🩺, the planet 🌍, the economy 💷, our farmers 🚜, AND food security 🍲. Have a look at a few challenges we're facing below: 26% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from our global food system. 11 million deaths per year globally are linked to poor diet. Only 3% of British farmers are under 35 - yet WE NEED more young farmers. 72% of young people (aged 16-24) adint they "know very little or nothing" about farming. We teach problem-solving in schools, but imagine if, instead of memorising formulas we’ll rarely use, kids learned how their food choices impact them and the world around them? There's a new petition pushing to include food, farming, and sustainability education in the school curriculum. IT'S JUST WHAT WE NEED. If you agree - add your name here 👉https://lnkd.in/eV-FMmVb.

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The UK's world foods market saw a growth spurt of 7.7% in 2022. Dive into our exclusive chat with Golden Acre Foods | B Corp about the nation's evolving culinary diversity https://lnkd.in/eemYETHT #WorldFoodMarket #foodtrends #worldfoods #ukfoodtrends

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💫 A big development for grocery packaging in the UK 💫 The tldr on last week’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) announcement and what it means for reusable packaging: 📣 DEFRA announced ‘illustrative’ fees last week 📈 2 to 3+ increase of current tax burdens paid by producers  ⏭ First payments in 2025 🌶 Modulated (eco) fees in 2026 will mean proportionally higher payments for more impactful packaging categories / materials. 💫 Great news for reuse: the biggest step in a packaging revolution, with DEFRA planning a 2025 framework for incentivising reuse, levelling the playing field between single-use and reuse. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ej2KTbYn And please dive in policy folk to correct any detail you think is missing / out of line here! There's not been much reflection on this here (on Linkedin) and it would be good to hear more views.

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Expanding into the EU post-Brexit? 🇪🇺 Don’t let trade barriers or regulatory hurdles hold your food brand back. With Cibus Nexum's FoodFlow Method, we not only offer outsourcing solutions but also help build reliable partnerships to ensure quality, efficiency, and long-term success. 🤝✅ Our latest blog series will tackle these topics head-on. Check out how we can help your food brand expand: #FoodInnovation #BrexitSolutions #Outsourcing #EUExpansion #CibusNexum

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It will be interesting to see what happens in the next few years regarding the UK Deposit Return Scheme before its rollout in 2027. In the meantime UK companies should be monitoring these updates and the potential impact on their operations to comply with the scheme. This article is a great starting point! ♻ #depositreturnscheme #DRS

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The latest Bidfood UK sustainability report is now available - and there are loads of highlights! Over the last year, we've: - Raised our EcoVadis score to 61%, an improvement on the 53% achieved last year, putting us into the top 35% of organisations assessed by EcoVadis for environment, human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement, and the top 11% for our specific sector. - Created and published our Carbon Reduction Roadmap, showing our key areas of focus for achieving net zero by 2045 - Reduced our hand film plastic waste by 50% over the past two years, meaning our hand film usage with our main supplier has decreased from 165,830 kg (FY 21/22) to 84,234 kg (FY 23/24). - Created 16 sustainability factsheets to support our customers' awareness and engagement with sustainability issues - Donated over 60,000 meals to City Harvest and 488,105 meals to FareShare UK through surplus food redistribution, in 2023/24. - Improved our employee engagement score – it’s now 83%, up 2% from last year. - Installed solar panels at five depots, reducing their reliance on the national grid by typically 20% - Launched a well-being-matched fund to support employee health expenses - Achieved a 26% reduction in food waste since 2020, aiming for 63% by 2030. - Introduced on-site physiotherapy in 20 depots to support musculoskeletal health - Onboarded 16 new SME food suppliers through our Open Doors programme Scored 9.7 on the RSPO scorecard for sustainable palm oil (against a sector average of 4.6) - Been benchmarked favourably by the Food Foundation for our sustainability credentials - the report will be released on 16th November! And to top it off, all the content is externally verified and assured. https://lnkd.in/evB78CeA

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ICYMI.... the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution), in collaboration with WRAP and EY, recently published a detailed net-zero analysis - the UK Food System Transition Plan - which concluded that supply-side measures to decarbonise the food system will not of themselves be sufficient to meet climate goals and that a shift in diets towards lower carbon foods will also be needed, along with a reduction in food waste. Specifically, the plan models the equivalent of a 20% reduction in red meat and dairy that is required to transition the food system to net-zero by 2050. This is not new news (it's a more conservative scenario than the 20% reduction by 2030 modelled by the Climate Change Committee). Still, the plan feels like a really significant intervention given that, to-date, industry-led/influenced net-zero roadmaps have largely failed to acknowledge the need to rethink what we eat (and their credibility has suffered as a result). The authors are careful to couch the narrative on diet in ways that make it more palatable to groups, such as livestock farmers, who would likely baulk at the suggestion that meat and dairy consumption needs to fall. They say diet change should not be at the expense of health outcomes, which are "complex and uncertain" and that it doesn't necessarily imply the need for reduced UK production of animal protein (since relatively higher welfare/environmental standards position UK producers to supply export markets). There is still legitimate debate to be had about the role of meat consumption in human nutrition and how livestock production can, in the right circumstances, contribute to wider ecosystem health (looking beyond a purely carbon lens). There will continue to be strong advocates for the role of red meat in diets, including from organisations – like the Sustainable Food Trust – who recognise the need to reduce meat consumption at a population level. But, as I argue in a comment piece for Footprint Media Group, what IGD’s analysis does mean is that any responsible business still hoping to wish away the need to support some degree of UK dietary change is slowly running out of road. https://lnkd.in/eytTupt5

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