Tues 18th Nov, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London

The BFFF & Social Distancing

Posted on by Harry

Many of you will have seen and read the discussions now taking place on whether the current 2m recommended social distancing should be reduced to 1m. It is very clear that for many parts of the Hospitality and Food Service market the current 2m recommendation limits the number of businesses that could open. This is either because they cannot physically meet the requirements in many parts of the building, or they would not have enough customers to cover the costs of opening.

It is obviously a difficult decision for Government to make, although we are seeing many countries adopting different distances considered to be safe. Germany has adopted 1.5 meters, along with several other European countries, although France has adopted 1m, which is also the World Health Organisation recommended distance.

We support any measures that allow the Hospitality and Food Service market to open to the maximum extent possible, whilst ensuring the safety of both employees and customers.

Supply chain issue: frozen food stocks nearing end of life

Posted on by Harry

We have recently been made aware of an issue looming across the supply chain, whereby, due to the ongoing covid-19 situation, a large amount of frozen food is nearing its end of life and will therefore require date extension. As the impact of the pandemic continues, it is likely that this issue will remain for some time to come, affecting everyone from suppliers to manufacturers, importers, and wholesalers.

Under normal circumstances, a revised shelf life would be agreed between the affected parties, a letter of derogation drawn up and some form of re-bagging/re-boxing and relabelling would take place. However, with the sheer volume of stock across the industry likely to require life extension, this presents a massive challenge. Cold stores may not have the space to re-label, there may be insufficient staff,and social distancing would place limitations on how quickly the work could be carried out. At a time when many businesses are already losing significant amounts of money, the cost of this could be substantial and unwelcome.

Over the last couple of weeks BFFF have been liaising with a number of members, as well as our Primary Authority, to discuss and identify possible workable solutions. It is unlikely that one solution will fit all but we are hoping that in the spirit of “we are all in this together” an acceptable route forward can be found. We will keep you updated.

 

The Squeezed Middle Paper

Posted on by Harry

We are now in the thirteenth week of the lockdown and the impact of this for our members who service the Hospitality and Foodservice markets cannot be overstated. For many the current uncertainty about when and how their markets will reopen.

We have seen Government support for farming and the Hospitality and Foodservice sectors to help them cope with the crisis, however support for the vast number of suppliers into this sector has not been to the same level. Each time we talked to Government they pointed us to the loan support schemes.

In contact with members it was clear that these schemes, although welcome did not address the situation completely. I therefore started to discuss this issue with other Trade bodies and found they too felt the same. I was then asked to lead a small group to create a paper highlighting the issue and finding solutions we could propose that helped those companies caught in this Squeezed Middle.

So today we launch this paper with the FDF, BFFF and The British Coffee Association supported by another 21 trade bodies. It is targeted at Government and seeks to get more liquidity into our members caught in an almost impossible situation.

We would ask all members to ensure this paper on the Squeezed Middle is sent to their local MP, we need to ensure our message gets wide exposure.

The Squeezed Middle Paper

The Bulletin – May/June 2020 Issue

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

The Bulletin – May/June 2020 Issue

As part of the strategic review of the way the Federation operates, we have taken the decision to stop printing The Bulletin in its current format and make it available online. This decision was not taken lightly as The Bulletin has been at the heart of the BFFF for so many years.

 

We had seen a steady but slow decrease in support of The Bulletin by members, not so much about content, but in terms of supporting the magazine through advertising. This has resulted in it costing the Federation a significant sum of money to produce and print. In the past changes were made to the frequency of publication, but this only delayed the inevitable.

 

With advances in technology The Bulletin was caught up in the speed in which news and events reaches us. We are now used to receiving information quickly and in a way that is most convenient for the individual. By publishing online, we will adapt the way we communicate to meet today’s standards.

 

We have also decided, as part of the revised strategy, that the BFFF will move to a more digital engagement with members and the wider frozen food industry. As part of this we are launching a new website in late summer. Within the site we will have two sections dedicated to the content that was the foundation of The Bulletin. We will have a Current News section making news available far more quickly, such as data from partners like Kantar which will be delivered as soon as we receive it. And we would encourage members to share their information and news. We will then have another area on the site called The Bulletin, where we will publish views and opinion pieces, some commissioned by the BFFF, but also with content from the industry and you our members. Until the new site launches The Bulletin will continue to be produced in a digital magazine format available through our current website.

 

As part of this new digital approach we will be running monthly webinars, regular Podcasts and guest Blogs. All of this combined with the new website will be focused on delivering valuable and useful insight and information to members. It will also be a platform to encourage companies involved in the frozen food industry to become members of the Federation.

 

It had been our intention to publish paper editions until late summer, but current events have meant that the move to Online has accelerated. We feel sending out hard copies will put unnecessary pressure on the postal system, plus many offices where we normally send the Bulletin to are closed. The next edition (May / June) will soon be available Online.

 

If you would like to discuss any point in this letter, then please contact me and I would be happy to talk through.

 

 

 

 

 

Richard Harrow

CEO

Creating tomorrow together with Bühler’s first North American virtual event

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Creating tomorrow together with Bühler’s first North American virtual event

 

Invitation to Bühler’s GO!2020 virtual event press conference

June 11, 2020 10:00am CDT/1600 GMT/1700 CET

 

Under the motto “Creating tomorrow together,” Bühler will hold its first North American virtual event, focusing on our global nutritional challenges, the future of food, and marking the grand opening of the new Food Application Center (FAC) in Plymouth, MN. The event will take place online, opening its virtual doors on Monday June 15 at 2:30pm CDT, and running through Friday June 19, culminating with the virtual grand opening of the FAC.

 

To give you greater insight into the weeklong program, we are inviting you to attend our press conference on June 11, 2020 at 10:00am CDT in advance of the event. Please register here.

 

The GO!2020 program consists of morning and afternoon sessions featuring keynote presentations, live panel discussions, and the FAC grand opening itself. We have more than 50 speakers that will provide insights, information, and inspiration around the topics of collaboration, sustainability, safe and transparent food supply chains, digitalization, and workforce development.

 

Speakers that will highlight the challenges of sustainably feeding 10 billion people by 2050 and the opportunities for the food industry to create impact, include:

  • Rich Berger, VP of Engineering, CLIF Bar, speaking on the global challenges we face, from the food industry’s perspective.
  • John Harthorne, Founder and former CEO of MassChallenge, the world’s largest start-up accelerator, speaking on the need for collaboration in meeting these challenges.
  • Jason Weller, Truterra Vice President and former Chief of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, speaking on leadership in sustainability.
  • Sally Lyons-Wyatt, Executive Vice President and Practice Leader, Client Insights, IRI, speaking on consumer trends and the future of high protein snackification.
  • Aldo Uva, COO, LIVEKINDLY, speaking on being a disruptor in the current food systems from farm to fork.
  • And on Friday, PJ Fleck, provocative and inspirational Head Coach of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers football team will speak on collaboration and leadership.

 

In addition to these keynote presentations, we’ll have live panel discussions filled with experts from food processing companies, academia, industry associations, and government.  Joining this special press event, you’ll see presentations from:

  • Bühler CEO, Stefan Scheiber, on how Bühler is helping the food industry address our global nutrition challenges.
  • Bühler North America CEO, Andy Sharpe, on what Bühler is doing in North America
  • Yannick Gaechter, Food Application Center Director, on what’s happening in the North American food innovation ecosystem.
  • Applications Specialist Isabel Brady, on Bühler’s Apprenticeship program and how it has shaped her career.

 

If you would like more information on a specific topic or to arrange an interview with participants or other experts, please contact Nick Manley or Tracey Ibbotson.

 

To register for the press conference click here.

To see the GO!2020 program and register for the event click here.

 

We look forward to welcoming you online!

BUSINESS BRIEFING FOR FOOD MANUFACTURERS

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

OSF Digital, are pleased to offer a series of briefings, aimed at frozen food manufacturers and suppliers, to provide information, insights and best practices to companies considering digital transformation initiatives to address their current business and operational challenges.

Due to the pandemic, manufacturers around the world are registering a decline in sales, while some of their primary channels, such as restaurants, pubs, are closed. One area urgently being investigated by manufacturers, is the requirement to open new sales channels, directly with the end customer. Companies are looking to rapidly set up their own ecommerce websites to start selling direct-to-consumer (DTC), within weeks.

Join us for one of our OSF Digital business briefings, where we discuss the challenges manufacturers are facing, the changes in consumer buying habits, options for enabling direct to consumer sales and the benefits that can be achieved. If you are interested in attending a one on one briefing, please contact Paul Isaac at OSF Digital on: paul.isaac@osf.digital.

For more information please read our business briefing for food manufacturers HERE.

 

About OSF Digital
OSF Digital is a digital consultant, technology integrator & innovator, supporting businesses to achieve their connected commerce, customer data management and other digital transformation goals. By implementing & optimising best in class solutions across the digital landscape we enable companies to enhance the customer experience, sales increase revenue and improve operation efficiencies.

Cargill leverages technology to improve transparency in pursuit of a thriving cocoa sector

Posted on by gail_colley@cargill.com

Cargill leverages technology to improve transparency in pursuit of a thriving cocoa sector

 

  • Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate’s sustainability progress report, which is significantly more data-driven, highlights Cargill’s efforts to drive lasting change with digital technologies.
  • With the use of barcoded cocoa bags and digital Cooperative Management Systems (CMS), 50 percent of sustainable cocoa beans in the global direct supply chain are now traceable from farm-to-factory.

 

Food and beverage manufacturers and their consumers care more than ever before about the standards behind the things they buy, including cocoa. That’s why Cargill is committed to a transparent and sustainable supply of cocoa, which includes improving the lives of farmers and their communities in the five origin countries from where it directly sources cocoa – Brazil, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Indonesia. The highlights of our latest efforts and the progress we’ve made are captured in the Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate 2018-2019 Sustainability Progress Report.

 

”This sustainability progress report highlights how Cargill uses technology to connect every dot in the cocoa supply chain. Maximum transparency in the cocoa sector is critical for making real progress on sustainability. It not only helps cocoa farmers, their families and communities prosper, but also helps protect our planet. I am confident that working with our partners we can continue to make great strides in achieving a thriving cocoa sector,” said Harold Poelma, president of Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate.

 

Through the Cargill Cocoa Promise, we are realizing the opportunities offered by technologies, such as mobile money, GPS mapping and digital data collection, which allow for greater transparency on how cocoa is grown and sourced from farmers.

 

Key milestones from 2018-2019 include:

  • With the use of barcoded cocoa bags and digital Cooperative Management Systems (CMS), 50 percent of sustainable cocoa beans in the global direct supply chain are now traceable from farm-to-factory. In 2018-2019, 151,190 metric tons of cocoa beans were tracked. The CMS enables farmers organizations to manage loans, collect beans and check fixed versus variable costs. Also, starting in 2018-2019, all farmer organizations in the direct sourcing network in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are now visible through an interactive Cargill Cocoa Promise Sourcing Partner Network map. Each of these farmer organizations benefit from Cargill Cocoa Promise programs.
  • Implementation of child labor monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS) to address child labor has significantly increased. In addition to Côte d’Ivoire, Cargill also deploys CLMRS now in Ghana and Cameroon, reaching a total of 58,800 farmers in 2018-2019. This extends the reach from 7 percent to 29 percent of the total number of farms in the direct supply chain. In 2018-2019, Cargill also conducted a needs assessment for programs to address child labor in cocoa growing communities in Indonesia; a localized approach to CLRMS will follow in 2020.
  • GPS polygon mapping of 72 percent of all farmers in the direct supply chain, representing over 400,000 hectares of farmland, was completed. Cargill is well on its way to identify where the cocoa comes from, which areas may be at risk of deforestation and how to mitigate this risk through specific interventions.

Digital tools are providing cooperatives and cocoa farmers with information, such as digital farm development plans and market insights, to help improve their farming practices. In addition, the digital tools serve as a means to communicate with farmers during a crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic. Cargill’s digital farming tool is amplifying government safety and sanitation messages to help curb the spread of the virus in farming communities. Voice messaging is also used to reach ten thousand farmers with this information in a variety of local languages.

Cargill sees digitization driving change across the entire cocoa supply chain. Utilizing the valuable information that is collected will inform on how to achieve the best impact on the ground. For this we developed an extensive data platform that has more than 300 data points along the supply chain. We also use this data to inform customers through an interactive customer portal about how collaborative sustainability programs are benefiting farmers and their communities.

Our journey to a more sustainable, digitally-enabled cocoa supply chain is ongoing. As technology evolves, so do our digital capabilities, which has opened doors to new opportunities and services to bring lasting value to farmers, communities and the environment.

 

 

Oakland International Extends Contract Packing Capabilities

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Oakland International Extends Contract Packing Capabilities

 

Ethical family business and multi temperature supply chain solutions, distribution and logistics provider, Oakland International, is hoping to attain improved efficiencies following major investment in its core contract packing and coding capabilities.

 

Speaking about the rationale behind their investment, Oakland International Strategic Development Manager Pete Vaughan said:

 

“The primary customer and retail partner benefits derived from this investment are those of improved efficiency, reduced wastage and greater process control. We have a long history of working with Domino’s coding and marking products as their core range is particularly suited to Oakland’s specialist contract packing operations.”

 

Managing the production of date codes and case labelling without the need for manual intervention will boost accuracy across operations as the new system uses scanners to produce all information via a central database, with outer-case barcode labels printed at point of application, reducing waste and enhancing process control.

 

Oakland now plans to create additional areas for contract packing and parcel packing operations to further enhance control of the processes and to streamline seasonal packing operations, with in-case coding offering supplier cost benefits and a greater level of due diligence and process control.

 

Added Pete: “With Oakland trialling and installing a number of efficient and environmentally responsible initiatives over the years, both here in the UK and Ireland, a key driver for the business is our ability to provide customers and retail partners with the most efficient supply chain wherever possible.”

 

Aiming to be the first carbon-neutral business within its sector, Oakland International is a BRC AA accredited business, a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development and is a specialist contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution and brand development support provider for ambient, chilled and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.