This year the BFFF AGM will be held online via a Zoom meeting. However, this year’s AGM marks the end of the three-year term of Nigel Broadhurst as our President and Chair on the BFFF Board of Directors.

It would be good to see as many members at the meeting as possible to show our gratitude to Nigel for his tireless commitment to the Federation over many years not just as Chair but a long time supporter.

We will also be welcoming Ian Stone as our new President and Chair of the BFFF Board. Ian will take a few minutes to cover some key issues for our Industry in his inaugural speech.

So please register to attend this year’s AGM which will be held on 26^th November at 11 am – Register Here

Last week The Grocer run their Annual Awards, which due to the Pandemic, were as an online event. It was good to see so many BFFF members recognised within the Awards.

Brakes won Wholesaler of the Year which, given the issues around the Food Service Market over the last few months, must have provided some much-needed light relief.

Asda won Cheapest Supermarket and the Online Retailer.

The Ice Co. won SME Brand of the Year. Indeed the write up in The Grocer is very complimentary and I can certainly see why they won the accolade.

Cook was Employer of the Year – a real testament to them putting their B-Corp accreditation to practice.

Finally, Aldi won Consumer Initiative of the Year with the ‘Kit for Schools’ initiative providing for schools to buy sports equipment.

Well done to all winners.

We have now had the Government’s initial response to the consultation on the Plastic Tax.

Despite our stance that the start date of the tax from April 2022 was too soon for the supply chain to prepare for the introduction of the tax. We are still far from certain that there will be enough recycled plastic to meet the 30% threshold for the amount of plastic packaging currently in use.

We also still need to address the issue that recycled plastic currently cannot be used in food contact plastic.

The Government have announced they will form a Working Group formed of interested parties including trade bodies, the Federation will ensure members’ interests and concerns will be communicated either directly by the BFFF or by us working in collaboration with other trade bodies.

As we rapidly approach the end of the Brexit Transition Period it is vital that members ensure they are prepared for the new paperwork processes that will be required.

We have on the website a series of detailed step by step guides on different transport routes – click here.

Please also make sure that your partners in the EU are aware of the process as they will be required to provide you with additional paperwork vs. today.

A key aspect of the new paperwork process will be the use of commodity codes -it is vital that members seek expert advice on these to ensure they are correct.

If any member requires support in finding an expert than please contact The British Frozen Food Federation.