Page 360 — British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)

ICELAND BECOMES FIRST MAJOR UK SUPERMARKET TO SELL MINCE PIES FREE FROM PLASTIC PACKAGING

Posted on December 15, 2021December 15, 2021 by mel.matson@iceland.co.uk

Iceland is offering its customers the choice of a plastic-free Christmas dinner with the launch of 42 products that have no plastic packaging, including its award-winning mince pies.

The Luxury Mince Pies, with plastic free packaging, will be in store from Monday 13^th December and were recently awarded a Which? Best Buy so shoppers are guaranteed a delicious bite while they do their bit for the planet.

Over the last two years, Iceland has offered all three Christmas dinner courses in either plastic free or reduced plastic packaging, as part of its global-first commitment to remove plastic from all own label packaging.

The supermarket has continued to redevelop the packaging for a number of products to significantly reduce or remove plastic packaging in some of its Christmas favourites, including its Iceland Iced Christmas Cake, Iceland Christmas Pudding with both plastic-free products expected in store on 13^th and 16^th December respectively.

Iceland’s new packaging solutions – which include cartonboard, parchment paper, foil trays and card packaging – will reduce the production and consumption of plastic, helping to further reduce the supermarket’s plastic footprint.

Richard Walker, Managing Director at Iceland Foods, said: “We’re delighted with what we’ve achieved this year – significantly increasing the number of products free from plastic packaging in our Christmas range. Our team continues to innovative in order to find alternatives to plastic, and it’s testament to their dedication and tenacity and to our suppliers that we are making real progress.

“Our mince pies are not just helping us win awards, but now they’re helping us to reach our target of eliminating plastic from our own-label range – making them a true Christmas gift this year.”

This follows Iceland’s latest commitment to be plastic neutral from 2022 by offsetting its entire remaining plastic footprint, and builds towards Iceland’s commitment of removing plastic packaging from its own label products.

For further information on Iceland’s plastic reduction progress to date, please visit sustainability.iceland.co.uk.

A full list of the range can be found below:

Plastic free Christmas products:

Iceland Luxury Mince Pies
Luxury King Prawn & White Wine Shells
Iceland Mini Steak Bakes
Iceland Mini Traditional Pasties
Luxury Lasagne bites
Luxury Mac & Cheese Pie
TGI Fridays Mini Lobster Mac & Cheese
Luxury British Easy Carve Extra Tasty Turkey Crown
Iceland Small Perfect Turkey Joint
Iceland Perfect Turkey Crown
Iceland Stuffed Perfect Turkey Crown with Chestnut and Cranberry Herb Stuffing
Iceland Perfect Turkey Crown wrapped in Bacon
Iceland Easy Carve Large Turkey Breast Joint
Iceland XL Perfect Turkey Crown
Luxury Festive Turkey Crown with Festive Stuffing Parcel
Luxury Easy Carve Stuffed Goose
Luxury Three Fish Roast
No Bull No Beef Wellington
Luxury Salmon En Croute
Iceland Stuffed Perfect Turkey
Iceland Turkey Breast With Bacon
Harry Ramsden’s 8 Battered Pigs in Blankets
Luxury Classic Trifle Slice
Luxury Black Forest & Chocolate Mousse
Luxury Hazelnut Dome
Luxury Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
Luxury Belgian Milk Chocolate & Praline Torte
Luxury Morello Cherry and White Chocolate Cheesecake
Luxury Raspberry and White Chocolate Gateau
Luxury Black Forest Chocolate Gateau
Luxury Raspberry and Lemon Meringue Stack
Luxury Toffee & Pecan Roulade
Luxury Raspberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake
Luxury Giant Chocolate Bar
Luxury Triple Chocolate Gateau
Luxury Ultimate Chocolate Log
Iceland Iced Christmas Cake
Iceland Christmas Pudding
Iceland Cheddar & Chilli Truckle
Iceland Smoked Cheddar Truckle
Iceland Wensleydale & Cranberry Truckle
Iceland Double Gloucester Chive & Onion Truckle

EXCLUSIVE BIRDS EYE STUDY REVEALS AREAS FOR FROZEN GROWTH IN CONVENIENCE CHANNEL

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Pete.Johnson@birdseye.co.uk

34% of retailers have witnessed increased shopper demand for the frozen category over the last 12 months[1]
Demand for meat-free and free-from products has driven many retailers to expand their offering, with 81% of retailers now stocking ‘free-from, plant-based and meat alternative meal centres’[2]
39% of retailers have reported that their biggest challenge when it comes to frozen food in their stores is not having enough space[3]

New research from Birds Eye has revealed the biggest trends and challenges that convenience retailers face within the frozen food category. Having conducted a similar survey last year, Birds Eye has worked with KAM Media once again to understand how it can support retailers to drive their frozen food sales in 2022.

Through a dedicated survey of 200 independent UK retailers, the findings point to sustained high consideration for frozen food within the category through the last year. 1-in-3 retailers (34%) have seen increased shopper demand for frozen over the last 12 months[4], with a quarter (25%) of retailers intending to invest further in their frozen category in 2022 – a growth of 6% points compared with last year’s survey results[5].

The study also explored the potential barriers to expansion that many retailers face, with 39% of respondents citing insufficient space for additional freezers the biggest challenge to growing frozen sales in their store[6]. A large number of retailers are also missing out on new consumer trends and shopper demands, with 23% sticking with the products they’ve always stocked[7].

Joss Bamber, Head of Convenience at Birds Eye, commented: “2021 has proven the important role that retailers play in supporting their local communities, with a major part of that being the services and products they provide. Demand for frozen products within the convenience channel is here to stay, so there is a definite need for retailers to prioritise their frozen range in store, ensuring they are stocking the right products to capitalise on a real sales growth area.

“As leaders of the frozen food category, we’re in an important position to support independent retailers with the right category advice and planograms that can help their freezers to work as hard for them as possible. Instore space is always at a premium for store owners, so the challenge for retailers is utilising what little freezer space there already is to ensure maximum frozen sales. It’s crucial that retailers are making informed decisions on the best products to stock, so our advice is always to listen to what customers are asking for, stock the core bestsellers and top-up with new products that will excite and attract shoppers to the category.”

The booming plant-based and free-from segment looks set to continue growing in 2022. 81% of retailers now stock ‘free-from, plant-based and meat alternative meal centres’, as growing demand drives appetite for products that can help shoppers meet their dietary and lifestyle needs[8].

“With Veganuary just around the corner, many shoppers will be looking for convenient, healthy and cost-effective plant-based options that can be easily added to their diets,” Bamber continues. “Birds Eye’s Green Cuisine range has performed exceptionally well within the channel over the last year, helping convenience retailers to capitalise on the frozen meat-free sector growth of +50.5% over the last two years^[9].”

[1] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[2] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[3] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[4] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[5] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[6] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[7] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[8] KAM Media audit of 200 UK retailers, conducted November 2021

[9] Nielsen Scantrack, Total Coverage, frozen meat-free, w/e 09.10.21

RISING THREAT OF DRUG DRIVING SEES CHARITY CRIMESTOPPERS LAUNCH APPEAL AND CAMPAIGN FOR ANONYMOUS INFORMATION ON REGULAR ABUSERS

Posted on December 15, 2021 by

Shocking new stats show the charity saw drug driving reports more than double over past three years.

Independent charity Crimestoppers, in partnership with D.tec International, has launched a new national campaign to target those who get behind the wheel and drug drive.

It comes as new statistics from the charity show drug driving reports Crimestoppers received anonymously that are passed on to law enforcement have risen from 5,028 (April 2018-March 2019) to 10,580 (April 2020-March 2021) – a 110% increase over three years.

Drug driving	Crimestoppers reports sent to police
Apr 2018 – March 2019	5,028
Apr 2019 – March 2020	8,780
Apr 2020 – March 2021	10,580
Change in 3 years	110%

One in twenty fatalities on our roads nationally is caused by drug drivers. There have been significant rises in arrests for drug driving in some areas, such as in the North West. This includes 2020 figures from Cumbria Police, who recorded 883 drug driving arrests, twice the number for drink driving (437) in the same period.

Crimestoppers’ 4-week campaign highlights how drug drivers put not only their own, but other people’s lives at risk. The charity is urging people to speak up about regular drug drivers, as this information helps prevent potential damaging or fatal collisions from happening.

Crimestoppers is independent of the police and guarantees complete anonymity to more than 1,500 people who contact the charity each and every day. This promise has been kept since the charity began back in the late 1980s, helping to give a voice to the fifth of people it’s estimated who refuse to speak to the police.

D.tec International supplies DrugWipe, the instant readout disposable drug detection device which is used extensively for roadside driver drug screening by all 43 police forces across the UK.

Information Crimestoppers would like to receive includes:

Who the person is and what they look like?
Where do they take drugs and how often they do it?
What type of drug or drugs are they are taking regularly?
Where and when are they driving?
Their vehicle’s make and registration number

Mick Duthie, Director of Operations at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Often the victims of road traffic collisions are passengers in cars driven by those under the influence of drugs, so community intelligence is vital to helping keep our streets safe.

“This appeal and campaign to raise awareness will help tackle the false belief that it’s only drink drivers who can be easily detected. We aim to discourage those who may be thinking of getting behind the wheel, and ensure that they think about the implications of their actions on themselves, their families and the loved ones of potential victims.

“Since we began in the late 1980s, we’ve always kept our promise of anonymity to everyone who does the right thing and contacts us.”

Ean Lewin, Managing Director of D.tec International, said: “It took several decades for society to accept that drink driving is a significant problem and even today this careless and selfish act continues to kill or seriously injure innocent lives.

“Drug driving has grown in the dark and is now a significant and rapidly growing problem across the UK. Since it was introduced as an offence six years ago, only now is the scale of the problem becoming apparent with two to three times more arrests than drink driving in some parts of the UK.

“As police forces across England, Wales and Scotland begin to release statistics for the first week of their annual Christmas drink and drug drive campaign, the numbers demonstrate an increase on last year and the pre-Covid year before that. The facts speak for themselves – this is an horrendous situation and more must be done to address it.”

Those with information about regular drug drivers are asked to complete Crimestoppers’ simple and secure anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or alternatively call the charity’s UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111. You will stay 100% anonymous. Always.

If it’s an emergency, always contact the police by dialling 999.

BRAKES HELP FOR HOSPITALITY CAMPAIGN WINS ACCOLADE FOR BEST CHANNEL PARTNER PROGRAMME AT INCENTIVE AWARDS

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Klaudia Szkop

Brakes already has a reputation for award winning products, and industry leading CSR, but its latest accolade – Best Channel Partner Programme at the Incentive Awards – recognises the outstanding success of its Help for Hospitality Campaign.

The objective of the Help for Hospitality Campaign was to put money back into the pockets of hard-pressed hospitality businesses who have had to weather the unprecedented storm created by the Coronavirus. And it achieved this to outstanding effect with a campaign that included more than 3,500 price cuts, a ‘cashback’ style scheme to help reward businesses, and bespoke promotions. All complemented by support for some of the UK’s leading hospitality charities.

Commenting on the award the judges said: ‘This was a great initiative. Brakes operates in one of the sectors heavily affected during the pandemic and this was a well-executed, fast response programme that built genuine goodwill and value.’

‘During the course of the campaign 7,944 Brakes customers engaged with Help for Hospitality and as a result of this we issued £1.97m back to loyal Brakes customers as cashback, strengthening their businesses with extra cash as they recovered from pandemic disruptions,’ says Leon French, Brakes Customer Marketing Director. ‘That’s millions of pounds that will go back into the UK economy, helping not just the hospitality sector, but the high street in general, and providing untold downstream benefits to businesses and their employees.

‘The campaign has been an outstanding success not just because of the cash benefits it has provided for our customers during the pandemic, but also because of the significant and wide ranging financial support it has generated for charities that help those in need within the hospitality sector. As a business that puts CSR at the core of everything we do, we are delighted to know that by partnering with industry focussed charities such as Hospitality Action, Springboard, Hospitality Health, and our very own Meals & More, we have made a real difference to the lives of families and businesses right across the UK at a time when they need help the most.’

‘Few other channel programmes have been designed with such overwhelming benefits to the customer. As a result, not only have we driven an unprecedented volume of trade to their own business we have also worked with manufacturers, suppliers, and their customers to invest in the future of the sector they depend on at the same time,’ concludes French.

Now in their sixth year, the objective of the Incentive Awards is to recognise and reward the employee programmes, people and technology that showcase exceptional execution, creativity, and innovation.

BFFF CEO RICHARD HARROW TALKS ABOUT FROZEN TURKEYS ON CHANNEL 4’S LUXURY CHRISTMAS FOR LESS

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

CEO Richard Harrow appeared on the Channel 4 programme Luxury Christmas for Less which aired on Thursday 9th December. The focus was on the difference between fresh and frozen turkey.

With 17 million kgs of fresh turkey sold last Christmas vs 14 million kgs of frozen, it was a great opportunity to explain the value consumers can find by buying a frozen turkey. With Kantar data showing the price per kg for frozen being half that spent on chilled, there is a great story to tell about frozen.

However, it is not just the value that consumers will find, frozen reduces the potential for food waste at point of sale. Even at a 3% wastage level, chilled volume sales last year could have generated 500k tonnes of food waste.

You can view the programme here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/luxury-christmas-for-less/on-demand/72940-002

BRITISH FROZEN FOOD FEDERATION SHORTLISTED FOR THE TRADE ASSOCIATION FORUM BEST PRACTICE AWARDS 2022

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

The British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF) is delighted to have been shortlisted in the Corporate Social Responsibility category at the prestigious Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards.

Now in its nineteenth year, the prestigious Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice Awards 2022 are supported by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and recognise excellence, innovation and best practice amongst Trade Associations in the UK

Richard Harrow, chief executive of the BFFF, commented: “One of the consequences of the pandemic is a renewed focus on CSR within the food industry. For example, the sustainability agenda today has changed, and it will develop further over the coming years. The BFFF is committed to helping its members operate in a more sustainable and responsible way and this nomination is welcome recognition of our team’s dedication to this goal.”

Emily Wallace, Interim Chief Executive, Trade Association Forum, added: “Trade Associations including BFFF have played an absolutely critical role in supporting the UK economy throughout the turbulence of the last two years. As we move forward, it is right to celebrate the achievements of the sector, recognise excellence and collaborate to improve the role that Associations can continue to play to support the Economy for the future.

A few reasons to become a member of BFFF

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Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
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Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
Annual Lunch
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We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to BFFF members across our events throughout the year, with flexible packages that can be tailored to suit your business objectives.

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