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BIRDS EYE LAUNCHES FROZEN VEG & GRAINS MIX NPD TO ADD MORE GOODNESS TO NATION’S PLATES

Birds Eye is expanding its repertoire of convenient vegetable-based options, with a brand-new range that combines vegetables and grains for a source of protein and high fibre for a light meal or side-of-plate. Debuting in March, the range will consist of ‘Hearty Broccoli & Buckwheat’, ‘Spiced Courgette & Bulgar Wheat’ and ‘Seasoned Butternut Squash & Quinoa’.  With health-conscious purchases higher than pre-covid levels for 10 consecutive months now[1], these vegetable, grains and pulses mixes meet the demand from shoppers taking a more health focused approach to mealtimes.

While over half of consumers (58%) have more interest in eating healthily than they did a decade ago, one in five still rate their diet as not healthy[2]. Ensuring maximum taste is achieve with minimal effort, the Veggie Power range offers families a quick solution to adding more goodness at mealtimes, and can be eaten as a light main meal or as a side, increasing the variety of dishes that can be created.

Jess Ali, Senior Marketing Manager at Birds Eye, said: “68% of consumers do not regularly eat five portions of fruit and veg a day[3], so there is a real need for quick, simple and tasty products that have goodness at the heart of them. With the need for convenience hitting a four year high[4], our new Veggie Power mixes offer versatility and accessibility to quality healthy ingredients, with the reassurance that frozen food can provide balanced meals. The range combines vegetables with pulses and grains, retaining the same taste, texture and nutrients that you’d expect from fresh products. They deliver a source of protein, are high in fibre and are suitable for vegans allowing for the whole family to enjoy.

“As a leading brand in frozen, we have a responsibility to help the nation eat a little more goodness each day. Vegetables and fibre are a huge part of this and something that the nation is generally lacking. With our Veggie Power range, that is full of protein and fibre, consumers can be reassured that they are receiving nutritional meals every time. The combination of our heritage in frozen food and reputation for building family meals will help reassure shoppers that they are receiving quality, tasty products.”

The Veggie Power range goes further than just supporting your health as the products are packaged in cartons that are easily recycled at home, meaning they’re kinder to the planet. You can purchase the mixes in Sainsbury’s for an RRSP of £2.29

[1] Kantar, Usage data; 12 w/e 26.12.21 vs 12 w/e 29.12.19

[2] Birds Eye Better Health Impact Report research – Censuswide study of 1,000 general consumers between 07.09.2021 – 10.09.2021. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles

[3] Birds Eye Better Health Impact Report research – Censuswide study of 1,000 general consumers between 07.09.2021 – 10.09.2021. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles

[4] Kantar, Usage data, total take home/carried out occasions, 24 w/e 26th Dec 2021 vs 24 w/e 29th Dec 2019)

BFFF TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUP DISCUSSIONS

After an extremely busy start to 2022, the BFFF Technical Expert Group held their first full meeting of the year…

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ICELAND DRIVES UBER EATS PARTNERSHIP FORWARD WITH EXCLUSIVE DEAL

Iceland and Uber Eats have driven their partnership to new heights with an exclusive deal to strengthen their partnership as of April 2022, benefiting thousands of customers, following a successful trial.

With over 140 Iceland stores already available to Uber Eats users, the new deal outlines a target of 200 additional Iceland stores across the country via the app.

Iceland customers and Uber Eats users alike will be able to order an array of food essentials through their mobile device with further expansion also planned for later on in the year.

Currently over 3,000 items are readily available to choose from including the latest exclusive brand products such as Slimming World, Greggs, TGI Friday’s and Chiquito’s. Star Buys are continuously updated to provide the users with great value items.

Andrew Staniland, Trading Director, from Iceland Foods, said: “There was no question in cementing our partnership with UberEats with an exclusivity deal. Iceland is committed to delivering a wide range of everyday essentials as well as big brand products at great value. Finding solutions to make their lives easier is key and this partnership does just that.”

Matthew Price, Uber Eats General Manager UK, said: “We are delighted to extend our exclusive partnership with Iceland, which will enable more people to order groceries and essentials via Uber Eats in as little as 30 minutes. This is another great stride in our quest to bring the high street to the nation’s doorstep.”

Customers can access the 2,500 products on the Uber Eats app now and expect to see further store locations open from April 2022.

UPDATE ON HOW THE UKRAINE CRISIS MAY AFFECT SUPPLY CHAINS

The situation with the impact on food supply due to the Ukraine conflict remains quite unclear but we are aware that there could be impacts on frozen white fish, notably:

  • Alaskan Pollock – Russia has 50% of the total catch in the Baring Straights.
  • Cod and Haddock – also originate from Russia and if not shipped directly, may come via eastern European countries or China.

Fish manufacturers/processors could be severely affected, either indirectly or directly if Russian vessels are unable to be paid.

Other foodstuffs which may be impacted are:

  • Sunflower Oil – Russia accounts for almost 60% of the world production, although our contacts suggest the impact could be some time being seen.
  • Flour – significant production volumes in both Russia and Ukraine.

We’ve heard through a member that sanctions on food are not being planned but we are trying to get this confirmed by Defra. However, restrictions on the movement of shipping may impact the movement of goods. The following is an assessment by Seafish focusing on the impact of fish:

Many seafood businesses are worried about possible sanctions. The situation right now is that:

  • There are no sanctions on seafood of Russian origin.
  • Future sanctions can’t be ruled out.
  • If there are going to be sanctions on Russia, we don’t know what the nature of those sanctions will be, but they might include a ban on the importation of all fish of Russian origin, including Russian fish processed in China.

Sanctions on ships are in force. According to Government guidance:

“The Regulations also confer powers on the Secretary of State and harbour authorities to detain Russian ships or specified ships at ports or anchorages.

Russian ships include:

  • a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by a designated person
  • a ship owned, controlled, chartered or operated by persons connected with Russia
  • a ship registered in Russia, or
  • a ship flying the flag of Russia”

We don’t believe that many Russian flagged vessels unload frozen food in the UK. However, the concept of ships “owned, controlled, chartered or operated…” by people with Russian connections is an area we are less sure about in terms of import operations.

Seafish have heard that some business are finding it difficult to obtain supplies from Russian partners because of money transfer sanctions.

Also, they have heard that some shipping companies are refusing to pick up goods from Russian ports. This means that the product would have to route out via Asia, which will contribute to delays.

Defra and UK Government departments have been told that they cannot engage with Russia or any other country in the Eurasian Economic Union (Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan) and engagement with Ukraine is not possible.

However, businesses can contact the Export Support Service: https://www.gov.uk/ask-export-support-team if they have any queries related to Russia or Ukraine.

Further information on the impact on the UK seafood supply chain can be found in a Seafish report recently submitted to Defra

BFFF continue to closely monitor the situation and will bring you updates as soon as they are available.

 

 

 

SIG Packaging Update

We have recently held another meeting of the Special Interest Group (SIG) on Packaging. We were joined by two other…

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LABOUR ISSUES UPDATE

The Federation has been part of a group of Trade Associations trying to raise the profile of labour shortages with Government.  The group, including NFU, FDF, UK Hospitality etc funded a report written by Grant Thornton in Autumn 2021 to highlight to the Government the massive challenge being faced by not only BFFF members but the food industry in general.

Whilst the report received wide circulation and support from a number of MP’s it has not moved government policy on immigration.

The working group reconveyed on the topic a few days ago and agreed we would try to collate more on what companies are doing information to find staff.

So can we please ask members to provide answers to a list of questions that can be found by following this link.

Please respond by week commencing the 18th of March.  We will then use this information to form the basis of our next stage to create the ‘right look’ to apply to future lobbying to Government.

The group will also keep under review the levelling up agenda, national food strategy and the skills white paper to see if we can use these topics to refocus on labour shortages.

Member Benefits

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  • BFFF energy deals and rates
  • Vypr member deals and introduction
  • Defib Plus deals
  • Company Shop – membership
  • Mentor – MHE training health check

Exclusive access to networking opportunities and events:

  • Meet the Buyer events (retail & foodservice)
  • Annual Business Conference with networking dinner
  • Specialist H&S and Technical Conferences
  • Special interest groups (packaging, frozen food temperatures)
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  • Awards Night
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