Buzz Off Honey Bee’s Post

As you hopefully know by now, we are huge promoters of seasonal produce that comes from the UK. It really is the DNA behind our business. Eating the seasons not only enhances flavour and nutrition but also supports local farmers and reduces environmental impact.   Over the weekend I was buying a few things in our local Sainsbury's and noticed that they are still selling Mexican asparagus. Why? It's so frustrating! It's English asparagus season right now!   While some consumers may desire year-round availability, it's essential for supermarkets to prioritise supporting UK farmers by sourcing locally whenever possible. By choosing seasonal UK produce, we can all play a vital role in sustaining local economies and reducing carbon emissions associated with food transportation.    Come on Sainsbury's wakey wakey! #seasonalproduce #buybritish

“By releasing ‘All the Single Veggies’ with Gino, we’re showing people the many benefits of loose in terms of slashing food and plastic waste, saving families money, and dramatically reducing environmental impact.” Having one of the UK’s best loved celebrity chefs, Gino D'Acampo, join our cause has gained media attention and helped spread the message to UK households that buying loose is better for their pockets and for the environment. We know from our research that households want to cut down on #FoodWaste, but there are barriers to changing behaviours including ingrained buying habits, confusing pricing of loose produce and a perception that loose fruit and veg is poorer quality. According to Gino, “Stepping away from the pre-packed produce and choosing what you’ll actually use will not only help tackle our food waste, but it will also help save money. “And the best bit? You’ll have the perfect ingredients for your favourite dishes just the way you like them.” We also need businesses to take steps to help reduce food waste. Retailers can demonstrate their commitment by increasing the availability and help drive demand of loose fruit and veg. Discover how your business can get involved with #FoodWasteActionWeek: https://lnkd.in/eXzUuRuX https://lnkd.in/e3QhnP7N

👉Food hubs enhance sustainability, strengthen local food systems and local economies. 🌳Food hubs contribute to food security, health, sustainability, justice and resilience. 🏥Food hubs improve the health, wellbeing and agency of their communities. 💰Policy support and funding needed to transition away from emergency food provision. #foodhub #sustainblediets #health

GREEN IS NOW MAINSTREAM IN AUSTRALIA... ...and Food Frontier’s newly released State of the Industry 2023 report confirms this with #plantbasedmeat sales up: 🚀 41% in retail since FY19 ($148.9m FY23); and a whopping 🚀 253% in foodservice since FY19 ($123.6m FY23) Plant-based foods are undoubtedly a 'growth engine' for retailers and #foodservice operators alike, and regardless of any momentary market setbacks, this report also proves that the proliferation of #plantbasedfoods across our grocery aisles and restaurant menus are still very much in their infancy as consumers branch out beyond the burger. 💚 With heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Food Frontier, plus all those in the Australian #plantbasedfood arena working to reduce our #environmentalimpact on the planet, end industrial #animalagriculture and responsibly feed our growing population. I KNOW - hand on heart - that Australia can become the most innovative, competitive and valued market in the world, and I'm excited to continue working with you all to help fuel that 'growth engine' 🔥🔥🔥 🔗 Food Frontier’s State of the Industry 2023 report: https://lnkd.in/gyQkrjQN

The petition for a National Food Strategy, championed by Eat New Zealand, has made its way to parliament. 🦘 This follows the Australian government recently releasing their own report into a potential food strategy, reflecting on supply chains, climate change, biosecurity, and food insecurity. 🌍 The UK, Scotland, and Canada all have strategies for food. 🥝 What would an Aotearoa NZ strategy look like, noting our animal products dominated export economy, rising experiences of food insecurity, and unique te ao Māori worldview? Useful resources: 🇦🇺 Australia Food Strategy Report: https://lnkd.in/g89f-Kma 🇳🇿 Eat New Zealand Food Strategy: https://lnkd.in/gPEVEiwP #foodsecurity #foodforthought #primaryindustries #foodandfibre #foodsystem

Hej allesammen! Let’s talk grøn! 🌱 Ever wondered what happens to #surplusfood from restaurants and grocery stores? In Copenhagen, Madboks is turning this extra food into affordable, healthy food boxes! 🌍💚 They gather surplus food from grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries, and other food providers. This food is often close to its expiration date but still perfectly safe and nutritious to eat. Madboks sorts and packs the collected food into boxes filled with a variety of items, including #fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products, and more. It’s like a treasure trove of delicious surprises! 📦🥦 These boxes are then sold at a low price, making #healthy food accessible for everyone, especially those on a tight budget. 💰🥗 By purchasing these boxes, you help #reducefoodwaste and promote #sustainability. 🌱🌍 It also raises #awareness about #mindfulconsumption practices. So, if you want to save money and support a great cause, check out Madboks in Copenhagen! 🍀 #Foodwaste #Sustainable #Zerowaste #Foodrescue #Supportlocal Madboks Stop Wasting Food movement (Stop Spild Af Mad) Foodsharing Copenhagen FødevareBanken

Yesterday Environment Secretary Steve Barclay appointed Will Quince MP as an independent advisor to support the government’s ongoing work to improve food procurement in the public sector. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gqKjeA3V Our #BetterByHalf roadmap lays out 6 actions needed to improve public procurement in the UK: 📄 Publishing Government Buying Standards that reflect healthy and sustainable food-based dietary guidelines and integrate with the national food and farming strategy. 🎯 Setting up mandatory reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance and adequate implementation of guidelines in line with targets. 🏫 Local authorities should improve catering they run, e.g. for schools, staff cafeterias and leisure centres, designing and implementing healthier catering schemes to encourage outlets to switch to healthier ingredients, products, menus and cooking practices. 🥗 Local authorities should support the public and voluntary sectors to improve their food offer. They can achieve this by working towards delivering on the Government Buying Standards or running accreditation programmes such as Food for Life Catering Mark or Sustainable Restaurant Association and build these standards into future contracts. 🥕 Ensure plant-rich options are the majority of options across public institutions. Encourage mechanisms to achieve this, such as positive marketing of plant-rich dishes; choice of recipes that are inherently low in meat and dairy and meat-free days. 🍽️ Influencing industry buying standards by offering leadership through public procurement. Learn more about the roadmap to healthy and sustainable food systems: https://lnkd.in/gVSRzdfr #EatingBetter #BetterByHalf #FoodSystems #PublicProcurement #Catering #SchoolFood #SchoolMeals #HospitalFood #Sustainability

SHELFLIFE AT CHRISTMAS   Please find details on some of the features for the Christmas (Nov) edition of ShelfLife. If you would like to highlight your #brands to the #supermarket, #convenience, forecourt & #offlicence trade please get in touch.   Xmas Drinks (Alcoholic) The festive season is prime time for #alcohol brands to boost sales. Shoppers tend to browse more, giving brands extra chances to capture attention. We report on the top #beers, ciders, wines & #spirits to stock this season.   Xmas Essentials It’s the most wonderful time of the year…for sales! In Dec. 2023, Irish #grocery sales reached a record €1.4b, with nearly 42m trips made to stores, according to Kantar research. Consumers indulged in both branded & private label treats, while promotions took centre stage. Classic festive foods were in high demand. With so much sales potential ahead, don’t miss out on stocking the must-have items.   Home Baking The holiday season brings out the inner baker in all of us. From mince pies & fruit cakes to sweet & savoury tarts, #consumers will be whipping up delicious treats in the weeks ahead. With busy lives, many are turning to products that simplify baking from scratch. We highlight essential #baking products that every consumer should have this #Christmas, regardless of their skill level.   Soft Drinks Having a variety of #softdrinks on hand is essential for unexpected guests and keeping the family refreshed between Christmas & New Year’s. As shoppers stock up, it’s vital to ensure your store offers choices that cater to every taste.   Waste Management Ireland is making significant strides in #waste management, according to Repak's latest performance report. In 2022, more than 1.1m tonnes of #packaging waste were recycled, a 9% increase from the previous year. Overall recycling rates surpassed EU targets for 2025 and 2030. With all plastics now accepted in #recycling bins, much of this waste can be disposed of responsibly. We explore the latest in waste management next month.   Blas na hÉireann Winners Showcase The best of Irish food was celebrated at Blas na hÉireann, The Irish Food Awards. The awards honour exceptional food & drink from across the island. Each year, products compete for Gold, Silver & Bronze Awards, as well as prestigious titles like Supreme Champion & Best #Artisan Producer. #Blas2024 accreditation is highly regarded among Irish consumers, with the award logo boosting product appeal. ShelfLife will highlight the winners from the #Blas24, showcasing top-quality Irish products that consumers will be eager to try.   Copy deadline for this is issue is Nov. 1 for editorial/images & Nov. 8 for adverts. If you require more information on the features or would like to discuss #advertising, product shots, #interviews, or editorial please contact me at [email protected] #retail #FMCG #offtrade #forecourt #wine #marketing #PR #snacks #confectionery #meats #dairy CSNA (Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association) NOffLA

A small clip from my panel at Abergavenny Food Festival this weekend. You’ll see I’m sat alongside two relative rockstars to the food industry - Charlie Bigham and Franco Fubini of Natoora. In fact, at one point a technical error meant the stage erupted in a moody fog (reserved for the late night music act) and made us feel a bit like the red hot chilli peppers 🤙 It was a brilliant discussion chaired by the wonderful Martin Orbach - but not necessarily an easy one. 🙈 The audience was highly engaged in food system issues - they subscribe to veg boxes, read about food poverty and pour over new recipe books. They’re passionate people who love food 💚 They’re rightly frustrated with the state of people’s health, soils and salaries. And sometimes they see the supermarkets and premium products as blockers to progress. At a festival packed with artisan producers - we were about the only voices for this huge part of our food system. But as we shared in this discussion- supermarkets are not the enemy here, but the ally. “Supermarkets give you what you want - we need to change what we want as consumers” And we, as brand builders, need to make the good stuff - the healthy, sustainable stuff - DESIRABLE so that you do actually want it. Make sure it tastes phenomenal, and tell you about it. This combined with the ongoing targets set by retailers which allow positive discrimination for healthy and sustainable brands on our supermarket shelves is a combination which should nudge us towards positive change. I believe to make people truly obsessed with beans - I need to make YOU obsessed enough to get the supermarkets fizzing to get us on shelf. Once the shelf has our beans, we can bring people into our world of delicious recipes and ways to eat them to get them onto their plates. I loved being part of this panel and this incredible festival celebrating and talking about #foodanddrink. So many brilliant people and conversations and of course - incredible morsels to eat. Thanks so much for having me!