Tuesday 22 November 2022
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Produced in Kent Backs Food from England Call for Government to Support England's Independent Food and Drink Sector Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
Food From England brings together exceptional food and drink producers and local organisations under one federation, giving them a united voice. In total it represents over 43,000 local growers, producers, retailers, and hospitality businesses.
Local trade organisation Produced in Kent is throwing its weight behind the demands and pleas for increased backing for local independent food and drink producers, growers, retailers, and hospitality outlets; having seen the current cost of living crisis directly affect their members, some of which have been recently forced to shut their doors for good.
Chief Executive of Produced in Kent, Floortje Hoette explains “Unfortunately, right now many of our members are calculating the cost of being in business and it's not stacking up for them; the cost of ingredients, the lack of skilled staff and the cost of energy are tipping them over the edge. With customers already looking at cutting their expenditure, passing those costs on is just not viable.”
The UK Agri-food sector, consisting of agriculture, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and catering, contributed a massive £116.2 Bn (6%) to the national Gross value added (GVA) in 2020 and employed 4.1 Mn people. But its role is much broader than supporting the economy alone.
The crucial role of the UK food and drink sector
Local independent food and drink businesses reconnect the consumer with the land their food comes from and with the people growing, processing, selling, and serving local produce, creating a sense of place and community, and making people proud of the area where they live.
The sector looks after the land and is a driver of innovative, more sustainable practices, while also providing the culinary infrastructure to the country's tourism industry: food and drink are the glue of any tourist experience and greatly influences its success. Without quality offerings, visitors are less likely to visit or dwell or stay over, and will, as a consequence, spend less.
Local, freshly produced food and drink is a healthy alternative to over-processed foods and, when used efficiently, doesn't need to be too expensive. Produced in Kent, along with their members makes a concerted effort in educating the public on how local seasonal food can be a healthy, affordable, and sustainable option.
The crisis facing the UK food and drink sector
But despite its invaluable contribution to the local economy, England's characteristic landscape, the environment, the country's social cohesion and its public health, the local independent food and drink industry is now in peril.
Rising costs of imported ingredients and materials, supply chain issues, continuing staffing shortages and skyrocketing energy and fuel prices have all contributed to a steep increase in production costs. Unable to absorb the additional cost due to tight profit margins, businesses are having to pass this on to customers amid a cost-of-living crisis.
“The Covid lockdown saw both the demise of many artisan producers, and food outlets disappearing overnight. If we don't support the industry now, we will see a repeat of this tragic loss of livelihoods, skills, employment, and community, maybe on an even larger scale”, says spokesperson for Food from England and Director at Made in Northamptonshire, Rachel Mallows MBE DL.
Government action required
Food from England has urged central Government to take action in the following areas:
Extend the Energy Bill Relief Scheme to the 30th of June 2023, with trade usually picking up from April onwards, this would give businesses some breathing space.
Provide additional (grant funding) support to high-energy using food businesses to invest in a wide range of greener energy solutions.
Extend the seasonal worker scheme beyond next month, December 2022 across all sectors in the food and drink industry to avoid further (part) closures due to staffing shortages in 2023.
Devise a fairer business rate system that will support smaller businesses over the longer term.
Provide capacity-building support to regional food groups in England.
In addition to lobbying the Government for support, Food from England will also be launching a DON'T LOSE IT, USE IT! consumer campaign, urging customers to buy local and support our independent food and drink businesses this winter.
That's Food and Drink is adding our voice to this appeal. Please contact your MP and your local authorities to let them know of your concerns.
Also, please do use the food businesses that we have featured in That's Food and Drink and our sister site, That's Christmas. Also, please spend whatever you can with local artisanal food and drink businesses within your own area to offer them your practical support.
Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wine Goes from Strength to Strength in 2022
In June, Formula 1® announced the extension of the Ferrari Trento podium sponsorship, and the use of Ferrari F1® Podium Jeroboams to celebrate the race wins for a further three years until 2025.
If success could be measured in liquid sprayed, Ferrari Trento would be deemed the most successful with 76 Ferrari Trento Jeroboams sprayed on the F1® podium, and 24 Jeroboams sprayed on the W Series, the all-female single-seater racing championship, podium, this season. For the guests, 60,000 bottles of Ferrari Trento Brut were served at the Grands Prix, which equates to five international freight containers full of delicious sparkling wine!
The winery decided to further support the F1® season with a project involving all the Grands Prix in 2022. Unique bottles, in the shape of Ferrari F1® Podium Jeroboams autographed by the winning drivers - were put up for auction on F1 Authentics, the official website of F1® memorabilia that is accessible to enthusiasts all over the world. All proceedings raised, £30,000 so far, is to be donated to the Red Cross, to support victims of the war in Ukraine.
Not only has the world been acquainted with one of Italy's finest wines via the F1® sponsorship, but Ferrari Trento has continued to dazzle the world's most fastidious wine experts and judges, by retaining its crown as Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year in 2022 at the highly celebrated Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships.
When asked what makes Ferrari Trento so unique, Matteo Lunelli, CEO and President of Ferrari Trento said, “Trentodoc presents itself with a strong identity and personality, with over a century of history and a unique style. Mountain is key for the elegance of our wines, as the warm days and cold nights we have bring a great finesse and a rich bouquet of aromas to our Chardonnay.”
They say all great things come in threes, and Ferrari Trento jumped 50 places, from 61st place to 11th place, to win the Highest Climber Award at the World's Best Vineyard Awards, this October in Mendoza, Argentina.
At the prize-giving ceremony, the award was handed to Camilla Lunelli, Communications Director of Gruppo Lunelli, who said: "This recognition is not only a great achievement for our winery but also an important milestone for the entire Trentino region."
The achievement of the Highest Climber Award, allows for Ferrari Trento to end their 120th year with a bang!
2023 will bring new and exciting opportunities for Ferrari Trento, such as races in new areas like Las Vegas. Ferrari Trento will be ready and raring to go for more celebrations throughout the year.
Valentine's Day Treats With Bonne Maman
Begin Valentine's Day morning by treating your special someone to a splendid, but simple 'petit déjeuner'. Which is a selection of flaky croissants and muffins with a classic jar of fruity Bonne Maman Conserve and serve with a glass of fizz and a surprise present for that extra Valentine's Day magic.
Nothing says 'je t'aime' more than homemade gifts. Show your love by baking an irresistible Le Gâteau Coeur au Chocolat, a delicious heart-shaped cake that combines smooth milk chocolate, velvety beetroot and fruity Bonne Maman Raspberry Conserve. Decorate with fresh raspberries and a dusting of icing sugar – et voilà!
Monday 21 November 2022
Coeliac UK Working to help those with coeliac disease
And as time has progressed that has become more and more easy. Because years ago gluten free alternatives were very few and far between and what gluten free food were available were, let's face it, not very palatable.
Gluten free breads that were heavy and seemed to be somewhat stale even when they were fresh and gluten free pastry items, if available, seemed to be made out of a mixture of cardboard and dust. They were crunchy, but not in a good way.
But that was then and this is now! Now things are vastly different and many gluten free foods and ingredients are just as good as their gluten-rich counterparts. And every supermarket and heath food retailer, plus other establishments like delicatessens, farm shops, some convenience stores, etc have "free from" sections on their shelves.
And this change has come about in no small measure due to the hard work and dedication of Coeliac UK over the past half century.
It is a registered charity that is dedicated to helping people who need to live gluten free. They work alongside healthcare professionals to improve the recognition and diagnosis of coeliac disease, then the care people with the condition receive after diagnosis.
They also work with the food industry to drive improvements in safety, choice and availability of gluten free food, so people on a gluten free diet can safely manage their diet, no matter where they are.
They work with a lively and dedicated research community to keep growing the knowledge and understanding of coeliac disease and gluten. And we push to see that knowledge used to drive improvements in treatment, food products and other ways to make living with coeliac disease easier until, one day, there will be a cure.
They also work with Government agencies and policy makers at home and abroad to make sure safeguards and legislation in place to aid people living gluten free is clear and easy to understand.
To learn more visit https://www.coeliac.org.uk
Freeee. It's all gluten free!
They have been at the forefront of the move to produce good gluten free flours since Clare founded the brand over four decades ago.
They now produce a wide range of gluten free certified flours and kosher flours. And they are suitable for vegans, too.
Freee's range includes: Plain White Flour, Self Raising White Flour, White Bread Flour (made using rice, tapioca and potato) Brown Bread Flour (made with rice, tapioca, gram, buckwheat and carob flour) Rice Flor, Gram Flour, which is milled from chana dhal, which is also known as besan flour and Buckwheat Flour.
Also Freee produces Brown Rice Flour which is a great baking flour and also pretty nifty for thickening sauces, stews and soups. And look out for their Chickpea Flour which is perfect for traditional recipes and also useful as a replacement for eggs. You might also know this flour by its other name, garbanza. Also, there is wholegrain Quinoa Flour, good for everyday baking.
Freee also has a range of gluten free mixes including White Bread Mix, Seeded Bread Mix, Pizza Base Mix, Sponge Mix, Chocolate Brownie Mix, Choc Chip Cookie Mix, Pancake Mix and Batter Mix.
They also have a baking essentials range including Tapioca Flour, Potato Flour, Cornflour, Xantham Gum, Bicarbonate of Soda and Baking Powder.
And look out for the gluten free pasta range, ready-baked cookies, gluten free breakfast cereals and gluten free oat bars.
Freee is proudly produced y Doves Farm Foods Ltd.
To learn more and to make sure you can bake and eat Freee, visit www.freee-foods.co.uk.
Incidentally, we feel sure that Freee gluten free flours will be key ingredients to making sure you can cook up a gluten free Festive baking storm this Christmas season! Because then everyone will be able to try your tempting Christmas cakes, your mince pies, your Christmas biscuits and your Christmas puddings!
Free products are stocked at several leading retailers and are also available direct from Freee.
Veafy 100% plant-based African inspired meals
The range of vegan meals are traditional cuisines gathered from a variety of different regions from all over the continent of Africa.
They are cooked locally and delivered live and direct to your door all across the UK.
The meals are allergen friendly and there are gluten free recipes.
Available recipes include Pan-African Curry, Mac and More, Lovey Dovi, Jollofication™, Cape Town Funk, Wat Up, Zim Simma™, Lean Bean Tagine and Red Red Roots.
All meals cost £6.00 per portion.
For details of what is available, minimum order amounts, how to qualify for free delivery, etc, and how to order please visit https://www.veafy.co.uk.
Marshall & Co "Craft Bean to Bar Chocolate" Six bars to choose from!
They began as popular sweetshop in the Yorkshire town of Todmorden in the early 1900s and by the 2000s they had progressed to being a chocolatier producing high end vegan chocolate bars that are every bit as good as, if not better, than their traditional dairy equivalents.
They have launched a total of six different bars all being carefully crafted using only the finest quality sustainable beans from across the world.
There's a Blueberry Oat Milk bar made with beans from the Philippines, a Coconut milk bar made with beans from the Dominican Republic, an Oat Milk bar made using Peruvian beans, a Coffee Blonde bar, made with Peruvian beans, a Dark chocolate bar made with Ugandan beans and finally there is a Dark chocolate bar produced using Indonesian beans.
However, there's one more delicious chocolate treat that they make. Zero Waste Husk Tea. 27% of their roasted cocoa beans are made of husk, the outer shell of chocolate nib they use to make their bars. Instead of throwing it away they combine the husk from all their beans and use it to produce a deliciously intense chocolate drink.
Each 50g bar costs £3.50 and the 75g Zero Waste Husk Tea (it makers five servings) also costs £3.50.
If you are sure of what chocolate bar you would prefer, or if you want to put together a fantastic Christmas present for the chocolate lover in your life, why not get the £18.00 Six Pack? And non-vegans will love them, too.
And for those people who have an allergy to soya products, all products from Marshall & Co are soya free.
You can order online at https://www.marshallandco.co.uk.
That's Christmas: King's College School, Wimbledon's Christmas Fair
That's Christmas: King's College School, Wimbledon's Christmas Fair: The Friends of King's (the parent body of King's) is to host an annual Christmas Fair on the school grounds at King's College Sc...
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