Tues 18th Nov, Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London

Caterforce re-launches ambitious national Chefs’ Selections range

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Caterforce re-launches ambitious national Chefs’ Selections range

Leading foodservice buying group Caterforce has re-launched its new look own-brand range Chefs’ Selections to foodservice customers following an extensive expansion of the product range and brand redevelopment.

Consisting of over 350 products across grocery, frozen, chilled and non-food categories, the range generates over £35m in turnover and is available to customers across the UK and Ireland via Caterforce’s network of eight delivered wholesale members.

One of the areas Caterforce takes real pride in, is the consistent quality the Chefs’ Selections range offers to customers in foodservice. With a leading quality assurance process, Caterforce aims to ensure the end user receives the best quality product every time

Nick Redford, managing director of Caterforce said: “A great deal of work has been put into further developing the Chefs’ Selections brand and we’ve drawn very much on the passion for food within the business and for offering the best products and service to our members’ customers.”

The relaunch gives members’ customers a range of new product offerings following a significant NPD drive led by Caterforce’s development team. This approach means Caterforce can offer innovation throughout the Chefs’ Selections range to enable end users to tap into the latest consumer trends and maximise opportunity.

Nick added: “Our NPD team has dedicated time to identifiying trends and interpreting them for our customers. We want to make sure there is great variety in the range and that we’re offering caterers a good choice of innovative products to add to their menus.”

The knowledge and experience within the Caterforce team means that Chefs’ Selections truly demonstrates a passion for food and delivering guaranteed quality to the end user.

Some of the newest Chefs’ Selections products include – a violet and blackberry cake, drinking chocolate and 100% extra virgin olive oil, as well as tapping into the casual dining trend with products like chunky chips and rustic Barra Gallega bake-off rolls.

In addition, the brand has been given a new look to embody the values of the new Chefs’ Selections brand which is being rolled out across packaging, member publications, advertising and at events: “We believe in the quality of our products and we’re confident that the passion and knowledge that exists within Caterforce will enable us to meet our ambitions as market leader in foodservice. The new look of the Chefs’ Selections brand truly reflects that confidence, knowledge and passion.” said Nick.

For more information on the Chefs’ Selections range or to find your closest Caterforce member please contact the team on 01625 440 188 or visit caterforce.co.uk.

GS1 UK comments on Kantar Worldpanel Grocery Market Share figures

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

GS1 UK comments on Kantar Worldpanel Grocery Market Share figures

Gary Lynch, CEO of GS1 UK comments on Kantar Worldpanel Grocery Market Share figures: “The German supermarkets are going British as consumers demand local products. While prices are rising, shoppers still prioritise products with clear origins. Those retailers who’ve decided to move towards more British suppliers are seeing the fastest growth. Lidl’s Surprises campaign is helping the retailer to shift perception about the quality and source of its produce, with 70% of its core range for coming from British suppliers. This has allowed the retailer to boost sales by 15% year-on-year. Lidl has further supported this move by signing up to the NFU’s Back British Charter.

“Meanwhile, Aldi is making the case that it’s the most ‘British’ supermarket, with 77% of its produce coming from UK suppliers. The move from pretzel to pasty is proving popular, with sales growth of 14.3%. Morrison’s is the only one of the big four to see a pickup of sales and this has been aided by moving towards local produce. As the Yorkshire supermarket adds 200 more British suppliers this year, this growth should continue.

“GS1 research shows that Tesco offered the most opportunities for small British suppliers. But in second place Waitrose offered significantly more than others relative to its market share. With continuous growth in Waitrose’s market share for nine years, consumers clearly like what they see on the shelves.”

GS1 UK have produced a report into ‘Buying British in 2017’ which is available online.

 

About GS1 UK

 

GS1 UK is a community of over 31,000 members working in retail, foodservice, healthcare and more. GS1 UK is one of 112 independent, not-for-profit GS1 organisations operating across 150 countries worldwide. GS1 UK helps everyone involved in making, moving and trading goods, automate and standardise their supply chain processes using the common language of GS1 global standards.

 

Miller Foodservice aiming to double its turnover

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Miller Foodservice aiming to double its turnover after joining Fairway Foodservice

Miller Foodservice has joined the Fairway Foodservice buying group, as part of its plans to double its turnover.

The family-run company, based in York, has a strong reputation in the region for providing quality products and customer service to the foodservice industry.

Miller Foodservice, which was established in 2003, has a turnover of £8.7m and employs 59.

And its managing director Garreth Wilson, who joined the wholesaler after six months, is seeking to ‘take the business to the next level’.

“Being a Fairway Foodservice member will play an important role in our growth”, he said.

“Previously, we were standalone and had to negotiate with each individual supplier to get the best cost.

“Having Fairway take care of that element is vital. It takes the pressure off Miller Foodservice and allows us to concentrate on other aspects of the business such as winning new contracts and improving efficiencies.

“In addition, being a part of the Fairway membership gives us access to like-minded operations.

“This means we can seek advice and discuss problems and solutions with people who have been there and done it or are experiencing the same situation as us.”

Miller Foodservice was bought by Eden Farm in 2015 but maintains its family feel. Three family members have senior roles and are heavily involved in day-to-day operations.

It is also in the process of merging its operations to one site and recently invested in two new multi-temp vehicles to modernise its fleet.

The wholesaler becomes Fairway’s 19th member, and the buying group’s solid reputation in the industry played a crucial role in Miller Foodservice joining.

Garreth added: “Fairway has a good name throughout foodservice, and also boasts strong brands in its membership.

“Suppliers were also complimentary of Fairway and commented that they were reliable, competitive, friendly and helpful.

“Supplier comments were a factor in our decision to join the group.”

Fairway’s chief executive Chris Binge said: “Miller Foodservice has a fantastic track record and is on course to achieve ambitious goals.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Garreth and his team to the growing Fairway group. We look forward to supporting Miller with our product range and expertise over the coming months and years.”

Fairway Foodservice is a buying and marketing organisation, which operates on behalf of wholesalers based in the UK, Ireland and Spain. Founded in 1984 by five frozen food wholesale distribution companies, it has grown from a collective turnover of £7m in 1984 to £650.5m in 2016.

Alongside access to Fairway Foodservice’s extensive range of products, members benefit from collective buying power on a number of lines, significant marketing support and subscription discounts to the Erudus One product specification database.

For more information on Miller Foodservice visit: http://www.millerfoodservice.co.uk/.

For more information on Fairway Foodservice, follow the group on Twitter @fairwayfood or visit www.fairwayfoodservice.com.

Trinity High Celebrate Oakland Programme Student Success

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Trinity High Celebrate Oakland Programme Student Success

Students from Trinity High School in Redditch are celebrating after successfully completing the Oakland Programme, a structured course designed to provide young people with valuable workplace experience.

The Oakland Programme, run by local children’s charity the Oakland Foundation and in partnership with the Oakland Foundation’s key sponsor and local business Oakland International, is an innovative and thought provoking six-month young people’s project, during which time students have the opportunity to experience the workplace and its many environments, with the chance to find out what ‘being at work’ actually involves.

Included within the Programme are a number of structured sessions offering future career advice aimed at raising students’ employment aspirations.

Foundation Trustee, Mark Williams, commented: “After initially meeting with the school, the Foundation then set about writing the programme to best suit the outcome for the pupils involved.

“Foundation Trustees ran sessions with the students at the school on CV wiring and on how to prepare for interviews. Students also met various members of Oakland International’s team at their Redditch offices and were able to discuss job roles and take part in mock interviews.”

Mrs Louise Laxton from Trinity High School commented: “The whole experience was a great success and one that the students thoroughly enjoyed.”

The Oakland Foundation is a charity working with young people and aimed specifically at reducing child poverty within Redditch and Bromsgrove and surrounding area through their work in the areas of Health and Nutrition, Education and Sport.

Added Mark: “The Oakland Programme was a great success, so much so that the school intends to run the programme again, and is keen to replicate it for Year 10 pupils in the next academic year.

“From initially very shy and nervous pupils at the first introductory meeting, they have all gained such confidence. One pupil now wishes to join Oakland International for a week in the summer and undertake their work experience in IT as he enjoyed the Oakland Programme experience so much!”

Winners Honoured at 10th Anniversary FreeFrom Food Awards

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Winners Honoured at 10th Anniversary FreeFrom Food Awards

With over 30 winners presented with certificates by Antony Worrall Thompson in a packed room of 350 guests at the Royal College of Physicians, the FreeFrom Food Oscar for 2017 was awarded to BFree for their Sweet Potato Wrap, with judges praising it for being free of all 14 major allergens.

Retailer of the Year winner for a third year in a row was Tesco, were presented with their certificate by award sponsor multi temperature supply chain specialist Oakland International.

Oakland International Co-Founder, Sallie Attwell, commented: “Congratulations to Tesco on winning their third Retailer of the Year award, and our congratulations to Irish bakers, BFree the night’s overall winner of the ‘Marble Mo’ award.

“It was a wonderful evening filled with celebration and success and for our third year once again delighted to sponsor this category.”

Other winners on the night included Asda, BoojaBooja, Del Ugo pasta, Rule of Crumb from Northern Ireland, Wiltshire Farm Foods and the West Cornwall Pasty Company.

In celebration of the Awards 10th Anniversary Clare Marriage of Doves Farm Foods was crowned as the Awards’ Freefrom Superhero for the massive contribution that the Doves Farm flours and foods have made to the freefrom industry over the last ten years.

“It is hard to believe how far freefrom has come in the last ten years”, said Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, director of the awards. “No matter where you look in the food world there are now excellent freefrom equivalents to standard offerings, many of them as good, or better – and often healthier – than the originals.”

Said Antony Worrall Thompson, long term patron of the awards commented: “It is amazing how much has changed in just ten years. All credit to the pioneering small producers who have followed their dreams to create wonderful freefrom foods – to the supermarkets who have backed them – and to the FreeFrom Food Awards who have encouraged and celebrated them!”

Allergens – challenges facing the food industry

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

Allergens – challenges facing the food industry

The food service industry has a duty of care to its customers to ensure that they are safe from harm. Food allergens are a potentially life threatening risk to some customers whilst being entirely benign to others. When dealing with real–world situations there can be grey areas and uncertainty not covered by legislation and guidance documents. This Campden BRI seminar, to be held on 27 June, will bring together food allergen experts with the food service industry to address the difficult decisions and less well defined areas.

Topics will include:

  • Food allergen threshold doses and risk assessment
  • Allergen labelling and menu requirements
  • Good practice guidance
  • Case studies – court cases and good practice
  • Gluten-free new product development

For more information on the event, contact daphne.davies@campdenbri.co.uk +44(0)1386 842040 or go to the event web page (www.campdenbri.co.uk/allergens-industry-challenges.php)

KARA LAUNCHES TWO NEW SLICED BLOOMERS

Posted on by Neesha Ramsingh-Cleary

KARA LAUNCHES TWO NEW SLICED BLOOMERS

Kara; the pioneering foodservice brand of the Finsbury group has launched two new sliced bloomers and re-introduced its existing bloomer range with some great new menu ideas. The launch has been in response to key market trends showing a rise in social brunches.

The bloomer range now includes both a pre- sliced on vogue sliced Sourdough bloomer, and a Multi-seeded bloomer containing, Linseeds, Sunflower, Millet and Pumpkin seeds making for nutritious sandwiches. The new bloomer breads will target the growing breakfast and brunch market, as customers are now becoming increasingly more adventurous with their tastes. The range gives vendors the ability to adapt their menus to offer appetizing breakfast sandwiches, tempting open and closed sandwiches or both breads are delicious simply as toast, served with jams and marmalades.

Jane Deegan, marketing manager said ‘with the rise of popularity in both breakfast and brunch eating occasions we have developed these two new quality bloomer breads, perfect for toasts, open sandwiches or breakfast. The Sourdough bloomer offers a great sour flavour, an ever popular increasing menu offering within Foodservice.

With breakfast set to be a big trend in 2017 and now with blurring meal times, many outlets now offer the popular all day breakfast. The two new bloomers are a great addition to the Kara range, easily allowing customers to invigorate their menus and maximise their sales.’

To see the full range of Bloomers cakes or for more information on Kara, visit www.karafs.co.uk or call 0161 351 2399 to speak to a member of the Customer Care team

Keep up-to-date with Kara’s latest news by following us on Twitter @karafsbakery

NEW PETERBOROUGH DEPOT FOR YEARSLEY LOGISTICS

Posted on by Antoinette Whitaker

YEARSLEY LOGISTICS TO BREAK GROUND ON NEW PETERBOROUGH DEPOT IMMINENTLY

Yearsley Logistics is set to start work on the first phase of its 150,000 pallet cold store development in Peterborough this September.  At a total cost of £65 million, on completion it will be the largest temperature controlled depot in the UK and create 420 jobs.

Located within minutes of the A1, the 20 acre site on the Great Haddon Employment zone has superb transport links to all major ports and the South. A combination of conventional warehouse systems, as well as fully automated 35 meter high bay crane store will make it a cost effective solution for all customers’ requirements, whatever the size.

With a shortage of high quality facilities and major competitors in the market withdrawing space, this investment is extremely important in Yearsley Logistics ongoing plan to build large consolidation centres in strategic locations. This will reduce food miles significantly, which ultimately translates into lower transport costs.

Tim Moran, Sales Director, Yearsley Logistics, commented, “We are all very excited about building this fantastic new facility, which yet again shows our long term commitment to the UK frozen food sector. Over the past 12 months we have seen unprecedented demand from customers for our logistics services”.