Many food manufacturers still rely on outdated paper and spreadsheet-based processes to manage their compliance and quality systems.

This often leads to inefficiencies that can harm brand reputation, and more importantly, harm the customers.

Join us on Thursday, October 24, for an insightful webinar where we’ll explore how a dedicated smart compliance management system can transform how you approach and manage quality and compliance.

Discover how it can help you build a robust framework, streamline your operations, avoid common non-conformities, and create an audit-ready environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to make compliance easier and more effective for your business!

• Date: Thursday, 24 October 2024
• Time: 10am EST / 3pm BST
• Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/851849274074622807

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched a £1m campaign to reward independent businesses over the Christmas period.

The initiative is part of the company’s successful mybrakes rewards programme, which was launched in 2023 to offer customers a more personalised rewards experience, benefiting from cash rather than points. More than 14,000 Brakes customers have signed up for the programme, which offers rewards and cashback across the year that can also be redeemed for products or vouchers at the mybrakes rewards store.

Leading the giveaway is a Christmas promotion, which allows customers to receive up to £1,000 in cashback, as well as additional chances to win bonus cash prizes.

Brakes has also announced a second tranche of new products for Christmas, which will see more than 30 additional new products being launched in the run up to Christmas, adding to the 100 that have already been introduced.

Paul Nieduszynski, Sysco GB CEO, said: “We’ve listened to what customers want and created a campaign that offers them a significant cashback reward at a critical time. We believe that this is a real Christmas cracker of an offer which will appeal to customers, helping them to generate a significant return on anything they spend with us.

“It’s also great to see more innovation, with the new products we’re announcing today meaning that more than 130 new lines are available in our Christmas range. We pride ourselves on being the wholesaler driving innovation and helping customers to grow this festive period and beyond.”

Bidfood Scotland, one of Scotland’s leading foodservice providers, is delighted to announce that Jon Mack, Business Unit Director for Bidfood Scotland, has been appointed as the new Vice President of the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA).

With over 30 years’ experience and established relationships within the Scottish wholesale sector, Jon is well placed to represent and serve all SWA members over what is hoped to be an exciting period.

Working closely with newly instated SWA President Tom Slaven, the pair will seek to champion Scottish wholesale, working closely with all members to keep on top of a continuously evolving political and economic landscape and ensure a successful future for the sector.

Jon Mack, Business Unit Director for Bidfood Scotland and Vice President of SWA said:

“After over 30 years in this marvellous industry, I am honoured to be taking on the incredibly important role of Vice President for the Scottish Wholesale Association.

“It’s a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated professionals, and I look forward to continuing our work to strengthen and support the wholesale sector throughout Scotland.”

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK commented:

“I am delighted for Jon to be appointed such a prestigious position, I have full confidence that he will become a real asset to the SWA, just like he has for Bidfood Scotland. There are few that can rival his experience and knowledge of Scottish wholesale and I look forward to seeing the success he will bring.”

According to the latest figures on food waste, UK households are binning, on average, the equivalent of eight meals a week[i].

With eight million individuals experiencing food poverty in the UK[ii], the average household wasting 14kg of edible food per month[iii] indicates that there is significant improvement needed by all of us in the way we manage food in our homes.

In response, the BFFF has launched its latest Frozen Food Revolution campaign, now in its second year. This initiative aims to address the issue of food waste, highlighting ways in which buying frozen food can help to reduce the amount of food people throw away.

The initiative emphasises that frozen food can improve household food management, making meal planning easier, more cost-effective, and sustainable. Replacing fresh ingredients with frozen equivalents, which have longer storage lives, could mean less food is thrown away.

But, according to product intelligence platform Vypr, over 85 per cent of consumers hold back from frozen food purchases because of a lack of freezer space. In fact, 60 per cent of consumers would buy more frozen meats and fish, and 53 per cent would purchase more frozen vegetables and fruit, if they had more room. The BFFF’s campaign aims to spread the word about the benefits of frozen, and influence people to look more closely at what is in their freezers.

With frozen food, households can also manage portions more easily and only use what they need, cutting down on unnecessary waste. Pre-prepared frozen products can also help to cut down on food like potato peel ending up in the bin.

However, Vypr data shows that only 7% of British consumers visit the frozen food section first, with the majority starting their shopping in the chilled section, a behaviour the BFFF is hoping to challenge with the campaign.

Rupert Ashby, chief executive officer of the BFFF, said: “With the Frozen Food Revolution 2024, we want to highlight the ways in which frozen food can improve household food management, making meal planning easier, more cost-effective, and sustainable.

“The variety of foods available frozen has also increased hugely in recent years, so we’re encouraging any shoppers who might not normally make a trip to the frozen aisle of the supermarket to check it out and try something new.

“Frozen food is generally cheaper than fresh equivalents, but what many people don’t realise is that the key reason for that is that there is so much less waste in the supply chain, so it’s a win-win. Chilled products such as soft fruits get squashed, vegetables bruise, and transportation delays impact shelf life, and that is all reflected in increased cost to the buyer in the chilled aisle.

“The Vypr data shows that 62 per cent of consumers think frozen food is high quality, but a third find the variety available too limited, so retailers have an opportunity to attract more customers by expanding their frozen ranges.

“We also want people to get to love their freezer and make it part of their weekly meal planning. To help with that, we’ve compiled a list of ‘five feasts from the freezer’, suggesting delicious combinations of some of the items commonly found in UK freezers.

“At a time when millions are struggling to put food on the table, it’s unacceptable that we are throwing so much away. A big part of the solution lies in better management of our food, and frozen food is a big part of that.”

[i] UK Food Waste & food Surplus – Key Facts, WRAP (updated November 2023).

[ii] According to The Food Foundation, 2024

[iii] UK Food Waste & food Surplus – Key Facts, WRAP (updated November 2023).

In the Autumn of 2024 BFFF associate member Mypower completed its largest single-rooftop solar PV system with the installation of just under 4,000 panels with a peak output of 1.65MW.

The client, a South Wales based business, requires around 1.6 Million kWh of electricity each year to run, so a sizeable system was needed to make a significant impact on both operating costs and carbon footprint.   The solar PV system will provide nearly 40% of the site’s annual electricity needs plus provide a healthy income from energy exported to the grid.  The renewable electricity is generated at the equivalent of 5p/kWh compared to the grid price of approximately 20p/kWh and will cut this client’s CO2 emissions by 260 tonnes each year.

This milestone not only meets the growing energy demands but also contributes to a greener future, positioning Mypower at the forefront of innovative solar technology and environmental stewardship.

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This project highlights Mypower’s commitment to driving the transition to renewable energy and supporting businesses in their sustainability goals. The system will cut this client’s CO2 emissions by 260 tonnes each year, contributing to a greener, more sustainable environment. If your business is spending upwards of £30,000 per annum on electricity its highly likely that a solar PV system could take a sizeable chunk out of this spend whilst helping your business to reduce its carbon emissions.