Bidcorp UK has announced the acquisition of Harvest Fine Foods, an independently run foodservice supplier to more than 1,000 catering establishments  across the South of England, including Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, West Sussex, Surrey and the Isle of Wight.

The business, which opened its doors in 1988, offers an impressive range of 4,500 products including fresh and chilled produce and store cupboard ingredients from over 40 local suppliers.

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Harvest Fine Foods team into the Bidcorp Family where it will join the Caterfood Buying Group, our growing network of independent businesses including Nichol Hughes, Elite Fine Foods, Caterfood, South Lincs Foodservice and Cimandis.

“Harvest Fine Foods is already a thriving foodservice supplier, achieving a compound growth of 20% over the last 12 years. It will continue operating as an autonomous and independent business, in line with the decentralised model we already successfully employ within the Caterfood Buying Group.

“We have been really impressed by their passion, their ethical ethos and their reputation for providing ethically-sourced, fantastic local produce, as well as great service to their customers. We look forward to supporting the team with our financial and strategic strength alongside their local expertise and range.”

Richard Strongman, Managing Director at Harvest Fine Foods added: “We are looking forward to becoming part of the Bidcorp family, which shares our passion for quality products, competitive prices and unrivalled service. The team will continue to focus on the development and growth of our successful, service-led business, under the same identity and culture.”

Harvest Fine Foods will begin operating under Catering Buying Group as of 17^th January 2023.

Get a takeaway straight from your freezer this January with Iceland and The Food Warehouse’s fakeaway bundles. Over three quarters of Brits said that eating out is the number one area that they will cut back on in a bid to save money but with the bundles customers can enjoy their favourite dishes, straight from the freezer, without having to compromise on quality or taste.

 No need to worry about FOMO this January, simply head to Iceland or The Food Warehouse to enjoy an Indian dinner from the comfort of your own home. Shoppers can take dining to new levels for just £5.00 per head by picking up Chicken Korma (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 375g) and Chicken Tikka Masala (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 375g). It wouldn’t be curry night without the sides; pair the dishes with fluffy Pilau Rice (£1.50, 350g), Naan Bread (£1.00, 220g) and, of course, some classic Onion Bhajis (£2.50, 390g).

Craving a Chinese to enjoy with the family instead? Shoppers can please even the fussiest of eaters with a Chinese bundle serving four people for just £3.56 a head. Families can pick up iconic dishes, including Sweet and Sour Chicken (£3.00, 375g), Chicken Chow Mein (£3.00, 375g), and Beef in Black Bean (£3.00, 375g) all are part of the 2 for £5.00 deal. Pair the dishes with Special Fried Rice (£3.00, 350g) and Sharwood’s Prawn Crackers (£1.75, 60g). A Chinese fakeaway wouldn’t be complete without Vegetable Spring Rolls (£2.50, 480g) which will satisfy customers and not just because they can be cooked in everyone’s favorite kitchen gadget, an air fryer.

Missing your fast-food fix? Delight the family with the American bundle which serves four for just £2.50 a head. Shoppers can grab the American Style Family Box (£5.00, 1.42kg) which includes thin & crispy French fries, chicken wings, chicken strips and chicken popsters in a Southern fried style coating. For an authentic chicken shop experience, grab the mouth-wateringly good Southern Fried Chicken Gravy (£1.00, 300g), perfect for those who like to dunk their chicken and chips. For a bit more on the side, shoppers can get Mini Corn Cobs (£1.00, 625g), Iceland Luxury Coleslaw (£1.75, 300g), and Pepsi Max No Sugar Cola Bottle (£1.25, 1.25l).

Shoppers can get their hands on a whole range of bundle offers, perfect for both family and date nights, to enjoy restaurant quality food at home, with prices starting from £2.38 per head for customers using a Bonus Card.

Some of Iceland’s Eat Out At Home bundles range includes:

Indian Bundle – serves 2, £10.00 (price per head: £5.00) 

• Chicken Korma (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 375g)
• Chicken Tikka Masala (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 375g)
• Pilau Rice (£1.50, 350g)
• Naan Bread (£1.00, 220g)
• Onion Bhajis (£2.50, 390g)

Chinese Bundle – serves 4, £14.25 (price per head £3.56) 

• Sharwood’s Prawn Crackers (£1.75, 60g)
• Iceland Vegetable Spring Rolls (£2.50, 480g)
• Iceland Special Fried Rice (£3.00, 350g)
• Iceland Sweet and Sour Chicken (£3.00, 375g)
• Iceland Chicken Chow Mein (£3.00, 375g)
• Iceland Beef in Black Bean (£3.00, 375g)

American Bundle – serves 4, £10.00 (price per head £2.50)

• Iceland American Style Family Box (£5.00, 1.42kg)
• Iceland Mini Corn Cobs (£1.00, 625g)
• Iceland Luxury Coleslaw (£1.75, 300g)
• Iceland Southern Fried Chicken Gravy (£1.00, 300g)
• Pepsi Max No Sugar Cola Bottle (£1.25, 1.25L)

Piccolinos Bundle – serves 2, 3 for £10.00 (price per head £5.00)

• Piccolino Meatballs Tomato Sauce (£4.00, 400g)
• Piccolino Carbonara Spaghetti (£4.00, 370g)
• Piccolino Tiramisu (£4.00, 160g)

Italian Bundle – serves 4, £9.50 (price per head £2.38)

• Iceland Stuffed Crust Cheese Feast Pizza (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 435g)
• Iceland Stuffed Crust BBQ Meat Feast Pizza (£2.50 with a Bonus Card, 475g)
• Iceland Garlic and Cheese Pizza Bread (£1.50, 245g)
• Made in Italy Chocolate Ice Cream (£3.00, 900ml)

Valentine’s Gastro Pub Bundle – serves 2, £13.25 (price per head £6.63)

• (Choose two) Iceland Luxury 28 Day Matured Aberdeen Angus Rump Steak (£3.70, 227g) or Iceland Luxury 28 Day Matured Aberdeen Angus Beef Sirloin Steak (£3.70, 170g) – 2 for £6.00
• Iceland Luxury Maris Piper Chunky Oven Chips (£3.00, 1.5Kg)
• Iceland Luxury Beer Battered Onion Rings (£2.00, 400g)
• Iceland Chocolate Fudge Cake (£2.25, 450g)
• Value Steak Gastro Pub Bundle – serves 2, £11.00 (price per head £5.50)
• (Choose two) Iceland Big Daddy Sirloin Steak (£5.50, 340g) or Iceland Big Daddy Rump Steak (£5.50, 454g) – 2 for £9.00
• Straight Cut Chips (£1.00, 900g)
• Garden Peas (£1.00, 800g)

To find out more about the bundles available at Iceland, visit https://www.iceland.co.uk/.

Leading British food manufacturer Kepak has become the first food business in the UK to offer free training places in partnership with The National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, encouraging individuals to consider a career the sector.

The Food Passports initiative gives participants the opportunity to complete courses relating to the food and drink industry, which can be used to help kickstart a career at the company thanks to Kepak also pledging to guarantee an interview for every candidate who complete the course.

Kepak has pledged to fund 100 training courses, with an additional 100 places at the company being match-funded by The National Skills Academy, taking the total to 200.

The training places are available across Scotland, England and Wales at four Kepak sites located in Aberdeen, Kirkham, Bodmin and Merthyr – where the company recently announced a £5.5m site investment to help meet rising demand for its products.

On being the first food company to pledge their support for the scheme, Cian Short, Early Careers Manager, Kepak Group said: “It’s an exciting time to be joining the food industry with many opportunities to start a career at Kepak being offered and the Food Passport scheme is a great way of gaining industry knowledge alongside developing necessary skills.

“Being the first food business to pledge training places and through our partnership with the NSA supporting initiatives like the Food Passport scheme, we will hopefully encourage many to consider a career in the industry with long term career prospects. At Kepak we are committed to supporting local communities and being a good employer, and this investment is further evidence of that commitment in action”

“Since it’s national launch last year, the Passport has gained considerable support as an innovative new recruitment route and it’s excellent to have businesses like Kepak on board and pledging preferential recognition including guaranteed interviews for holders,” said NSAFD Chief Executive, Louise Cairns.