As frozen continues to over-index on convenience and reduced food waste, the refreshed Tenderstem® Frozen range delivers what shoppers increasingly expect: quality without compromise, available whenever they need it. Always there in the freezer when fresh has run out, Tenderstem® Frozen offers the same sweet, slightly nutty taste and distinctive eating experience the brand is known for.

Harvested at peak quality and frozen shortly afterwards to lock in flavour and texture, the range is just as delicious as it is convenient — a natural fit for a brand built on quality and everyday versatility.

The relaunch brings Tenderstem® Frozen into the brand’s recently refreshed visual identity. The updated look sharpens its premium positioning and strengthens standout on shelf, reinforcing Tenderstem®’s distinctive personality while maintaining the strong recognition that has made it a fixture in shopping baskets across the UK.

The frozen range builds on continued brand momentum. Tenderstem® continues to reach more shoppers nationwide, growing penetration and driving conversion within the broccoli segment. As more shoppers trade up within the category, they are choosing the broccoli that delivers on the brand’s “Broccoli but Better” promise.

With strong brand equity, increasing shopper penetration and a refreshed presence in frozen, Tenderstem® is well placed to drive incremental growth across the total vegetable category — offering retailers a premium, branded option in a segment where quality cues matter more than ever.

We have recently been made aware that Lemon Grass, previously assigned a commodity code of 0710809580 as a ‘frozen vegetable’, should have been classified to code 1211908690 as ‘part of plants of a kind primarily used in perfumery’.

According to HMRC this is the case even if it is used for culinary purposes.

Products of heading 1211 also include such items as mint, basil and rosemary as well as many others meaning that a change in commodity code could have huge financial ramifications.

To assist the BFFF in challenging this decision we urgently require data from our members by latest 8^th April 2026

Please could members provide deniserion@bfff.co.uk information on

• What herbs falling under heading 1211 you use
• Tonnage used for each herb per year and equivalent costs

Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Due to an outbreak of FMD in Greece, the import of the following commodities is now suspended:

• live (including non-domestic) ruminants and porcine animals, including wild game and their germplasm

• fresh meat from ruminants and porcine animals (including chilled and frozen), including wild game

• meat products from ruminant and porcine animals that have not been subject to specific treatment D1, D, C or B (including wild game)

• milk, colostrum and their products unless subject to treatment as defined in Article 4 of Regulation 2010/605

• certain animal by-products.

• hay and straw

• casings

Please see Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues – GOV.UK for more information.

Mentor Training, the UK’s leading provider of Material handling equipment (MHE) training, returns to the Health & Safety Event this April with essential training solutions to help businesses stay compliant and protected.

 

With the UK witnessing around 1,300 serious injuries per year from accidents involving forklift trucks, Mentor emphasise the importance of ensuring that those working on and around workplace transport understand the risks involved and how to keep themselves and others safe.

 

The nationwide training provider is returning to the Health & Safety Event with solutions to combat causes of accidents and injuries, and their experienced and knowledgeable team will be on hand in the exhibitor area to advise visitors on their own specific risks and requirements.

Leading the team is Mentor’s Commercial Director, Adam Smith, who shares his thoughts on the upcoming exhibition, “I’m really excited about this year’s event as it’s a great opportunity to walk people through recent important updates, such as the ABA category changes and showcase our wide range of training solutions.”

Mentor’s offerings include in-person, online and blended learning courses, helping employers provide vital training more easily and with minimal disruption to operations.

 

Adam explains, “We are passionate about keeping people safe at work and therefore want to reach as many individuals as possible. Of course, in-person practical training is essential when learning how to safely operate MHE but incorporating online theory elements, where possible, can save businesses time and money, which is exactly what our blended learning solutions are proven to do.”

 

Another reason to visit Mentor’s stand is to take part in their interactive forklift safety game, where players will be able to compete for the chance to win a prize.

 

As the UK’s premier event of its kind, Mentor is looking forward to returning The Health & Safety Event for 2026. Attracting thousands of UK safety professionals each year, the three-day event has plenty to offer attendees, including access to the latest products, valuable networking and multiple theatres of free-to-attend CPD accredited seminar sessions, delivered by industry-leading experts.

 

Adam concludes: “If you have any training questions or requirements, a visit to our stand will be well worth your time. Our experienced team will help you identify any challenges and implement solutions that deliver lasting results. Whatever your needs and wherever you are based in the UK, our accredited courses will help you stay safe and compliant.”

 

The Health & Safety Event takes place between 28^th-30^th April 2026 at the Birmingham NEC. If you’re responsible for forklift safety onsite, pay Mentor a visit on stand 3/J50 to discover how their latest solutions can massively benefit your operations.

 

Register for your free pass now by clicking here or contact Mentor today to find out more about their training solutions.

For decades, manufacturing strategy has been shaped by a single dominant metric: cost efficiency. Leaner supply chains, lower input prices, and just-in-time models have delivered impressive margins, but they have also introduced a fragile dependency on global stability.

That stability can no longer be assumed.

In an era defined by geopolitical tension, trade fragmentation, regulatory divergence, and recurring economic shocks, the true competitive advantage is no longer the cheapest supply chain, it is the most resilient one.

A cost-optimised supply chain is designed for predictability. A strong supply chain is designed for disruption. The distinction matters.

Thomas Sommer (Commercial Director, WTA Group) remarks: “When political uncertainty reshapes trade routes overnight, when currency volatility erodes margins, or when regional conflicts interrupt critical inputs, organisations built purely around cost efficiency are forced into reactive decision-making. Expedite fees, production downtime, and lost customer trust quickly outweigh any prior savings.”

By contrast, manufacturers who prioritise supply chain strength through supplier diversification, regional balancing, strategic inventory buffers, and deeper supplier relationships, retain optionality. They can adapt, reconfigure, and continue to deliver while competitors stall.

This is not an argument against efficiency. It is an argument for redefining it.

Efficiency should no longer be measured solely by unit cost, but by continuity of supply, speed of recovery, and the ability to withstand systemic shocks.

In practical terms, this means:
• Treating supplier redundancy as a strategic investment, not a waste
• Shifting from lowest-cost sourcing to risk-adjusted sourcing
• Embedding geopolitical and macroeconomic scenario planning into procurement decisions
• Building transparency beyond Tier 1 suppliers

The manufacturers who will lead over the next decade are not those with the lowest costs on paper, but those who can operate reliably in an unreliable world.

Resilience is no longer a defensive posture, it’s a growth strategy.

Training intensifies as route planning and Ireland scouting visit begins

Thousands of pounds have already been pledged for a remarkable charity challenge that will see 21‑year‑old Samuel Attwell attempt to run the length of Ireland in just 10 days, and with two months to go, preparation has entered its toughest phase.

Samuel, who will run almost 350 miles from Malin Head to Mizen Head this May, has already secured over £15,000 in early donations and sponsorship, giving his campaign a powerful head start towards his £50,000 target for children’s charity Molly Ollys.

Samuel’s father, Oakland International Co-Founder Dean Attwell commented: “Samuel’s courage, determination, and compassion shine through in every step of this challenge. What he’s undertaking goes far beyond a test of endurance, it’s a show of solidarity with families facing the unimaginable, and a powerful message of hope for children and parents in crisis.

“Oakland International is incredibly proud to support him, and we encourage other businesses and individuals to rally behind Samuel and help make a truly meaningful difference.”

With fundraising momentum building, Samuel’s focus has now shifted firmly to the physical and logistical demands of one of Ireland’s most punishing endurance routes.

“Training is going well, but it’s brutal”

Samuel is currently undertaking back‑to‑back long‑distance runs designed to replicate the strain of completing an ultramarathon every day for 10 consecutive days.

“Training is going well, but there’s no sugar‑coating it, it’s brutal,” said Samuel. “Running miles day after day pushes you physically and mentally. But every tough session reminds me why I’m doing this and who it’s for.”

Communities along the route in focus

As well as physical training, a dedicated planning team is working behind the scenes on logistics, safety and community engagement along the route, which will take Samuel through towns and rural communities across Donegal, Derry, Leitrim, Longford, Offaly, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and West Cork.

A training and route‑scouting visit to Ireland is planned in the coming days, where Samuel and his support team will assess road conditions, elevation, rest points and local access, while also meeting supporters and potential community partners along the way.

The visit is expected to play a key role in finalising daily stages and ensuring the challenge is delivered safely and visibly.

Follow Samuel’s Training Journey:
https://www.instagram.com/stories/samuel.attwell/

Running for children who need hope

Samuel is running as an ambassador for Molly Ollys, a UK‑based children’s charity that supports children with life‑threatening and life‑limiting illnesses through the funding of wishes, therapeutic toys and emotional support for families.

About Molly Ollys

Molly Olly’s Wishes (https://mollyolly.co.uk/) was launched by Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw in 2011, following the loss of their daughter Molly.

The UK‑based charity supports children with life‑threatening and life‑limiting illnesses through the funding of wishes, therapeutic toys, books and emotional support. Since its launch, Molly Ollys has:

• Supported over 21,500 children
• Granted more than 5,500 wishes
• Distributed over 23,000 Olly The Brave books
• Raised in excess of £5.7 million

The charity works closely with the NHS, supporting projects within hospitals and the community. One flagship project includes the creation and refurbishment of Magnolia House at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, a safe, non‑clinical space for families and medical teams.

Molly Ollys also funded the first ever consultant in paediatric palliative medicine at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in 2018 and subsequently supported the funding of additional consultant roles in the region.

While primarily operating across the UK, Molly Ollys is currently supporting children in Ireland on a small‑scale, not‑for‑profit basis, responding to need as requests for support are received. This includes the supply of Olly The Brave books to Crumlin Children’s Hospital in Dublin and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, as well as a small number of individual wishes granted to children across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

If successful, Samuel’s £50,000 fundraising target could help deliver up to 100 wishes for seriously ill children and provide thousands of comfort items to families at their most difficult moments.

Momentum building ahead of May start

The challenge will begin on 18th May, with Samuel aiming to complete the route by 27th May, sharing daily updates, GPS tracking and behind‑the‑scenes footage throughout the journey.

With early donations already secured, organisers hope the next phase, increased visibility across Ireland and the UK, will drive further public support.

Added Samuel: “This run isn’t just about endurance, it’s about bringing people together, especially the communities I’ll be running through, to help children who desperately need hope.”

How to support

Donations and updates can be found at:
www.justgiving.com/page/samrunsireland

Molly Ollys relies on the generosity of companies and individuals to continue its work and welcomes the opportunity to share more about its impact.

For further information, please contact Rachel Ollerenshaw on +44 (0) 7747 854914.

 

Bidfood, one of the UK’s leading food wholesalers, has launched a dedicated pub webpage packed with tools to help tenanted and leased pubs tackle rising costs and tighten margins.

The launch reinforces Bidfood’s commitment to supporting pubs as a true partner in navigating increasing financial pressures, as the industry continues to assess the impact of the government’s recent U-turn on business rates for pubs. While the move offers some relief, pressure remains high, with continued uncertainty across the sector.

Built by Bidfood’s Marketing, Chef, Sales and Digital Teams, the new page brings together valuable tools, insight and support designed specifically for pubs operating under lease and tenancy agreements, making it easier to access help in one place that reflects how these businesses run.

Prior to the government’s announcement, UKHospitality estimated that up to 540 pubs could close in 2026[i], highlighting the scale of the challenge facing pub operators. As pubs continue to adapt to economic and structural challenges, Bidfood’s latest launch reinforces its long-term commitment to working alongside every type of pub, whether they be tenanted, leased or independent gastropubs, supporting the vital role they play in local communities and the wider hospitality supply chain.

The new webpage builds on the launch of Bidfood’s innovative ‘Interactive Pub’ in February 2025, an immersive digital platform with more than 50 interactive tools, guides and insights to help pubs streamline operations, manage costs and adapt to current market conditions.

The new webpages are built around three clear areas:

Expert support for pubs of all sizes: All-in-one support for pubs of every size, with quick and easy access to 10,000+ products and 24/7 online ordering, sector experts, and the Interactive Pub, helping businesses to run smarter and more efficiently.

Championing pub growth:  Alongside recipe inspiration from Bidfood’s Development Chefs, there’s also access to Bidfood’s comprehensive collection of support tools and resources. This includes Bidfood’s industry support hub, Unlock Your Menu, with menu engineering tips and guidance on managing inflationary pressures, as well as tailored support for takeaway, delivery and dark kitchen operations.

Key market drivers:  Sharing insight into key industry changes and challenges, and the latest sector trends. This also includes Caterers Campus, Bidfood’s free online training programme, which provides access to more than 30 expert-written modules to support staff development. By helping pubs upskill teams in-house, the platform can deliver significant cost savings, potentially up to £1,590^[ii] per employee per year, while strengthening service, retention and long-term growth.

Chris Palethorpe, Client Director for Pubs at Bidfood, said: “Tenanted and leased pubs are under sustained pressure, with rising costs on multiple fronts and very little room for error. At a time when so many pubs are navigating incredibly challenging trading conditions, it’s more important than ever that they feel supported to not just keep their doors open, but to continue playing their role at the heart of communities.

“These new webpages are designed to make it easier for customers to access practical advice, tools and support in one place. As a trusted partner providing reliable support, quality products and tailored solutions, we’re committed to helping pubs not only survive but truly thrive at this difficult time.”

To access Bidfood’s latest pub webpage, please visit: https://www.bidfood.co.uk/pubs/leased-and-tenanted-support/