Children In Need and Asda work together to combat food poverty

BBC Children in Need & George at Asda have announced their second collaboration with world famous children’s author and illustrator Liz Pichon, famed for her illustrated best-selling Tom Gates book series, to create this year’s Official T-Shirt, which will raise money for the charity.

This unique unisex t-shirt features BBC Children in Need’s iconic Pudsey Bear character in Liz’s signature doodle style. 

This is the second t-shirt Liz has designed for BBC Children in Need and Asda. This year, all money raised through the sale of the t-shirts will go to support children and young people facing food insecurity, as part of Asda and BBC Children in Need’s Fuelling Potential campaign.

Throughout the summer holidays, Asda have been offering £1 meals to all children who visit the Asda café and half price adult meals from 3pm each day. In selected Asda Stores they have also been hosting Pudsey Clubs – where children have been able to take part in fun and creative activities.

Over the next three years Asda & BBC Children in Need aim to support 100,000 children by helping to make sure they have access to nutritious meals while having fun at BBC Children in Need funded holiday sessions that help boost their mental health and physical wellbeing.

Liz and a group of Community Champions from Asda stores across Manchester recently hosted a special session for children and young people to teach them how to doodle and encourage them to get fundraising for BBC Children in Need this year.

Liz Pichon said: “I'm absolutely thrilled to have been asked to design the BBC Children in Need T-shirt for the second time!

“Pudsey is iconic and last year's design was all around Pudsey, this year it's mostly inside with a slightly retro feel, lots of gorgeous colours PLUS we've added gold disco foil! I'm really proud to be part of this year's launch and want to encourage everyone to buy one…you can even colour the design in and get extra creative!"

Claire Hoyle, Director of Income, Marketing & Communications at BBC Children in Need said: “It is an absolute pleasure to have collaborated with the wonderfully talented children’s author and illustrator, Liz Pichon, for the second time on our Official T-Shirt with George & Asda this year. Liz’s design is fun and creative, and we know that our supporters will love it. This t-shirt will raise vital funds for children and young people across the UK when they need it most!”

Vicki Radford, Buying Manager, George at Asda said, “We are delighted to have Liz Pichon on board for the second year running to design the Official BBC Children in Need T-Shirt for George & Asda. It’s a joy to work with Liz who really brings her creativity to life through these designs and we know they are going to be really popular with our customers, these are now on sale from as little as £5.”

The Official T-Shirt is available to purchase now online at George.com and in stores soon, in both adult and child sizes (£5 - £10) with all profits from the sale of the t-shirt going to BBC Children in Need.

Besides the Official T-shirt, Liz has also designed a mug (£2) and a tote bag (£3) featuring her doodle Pudsey design which are also available to purchase in store and online at George at Asda from 26th October.

George at Asda also have a fully adaptive wear range of clothing for children which includes a baby bodysuit, a sweat jogger and top set and also an adaptive version of Liz Pichon’s official design jersey top. The range has been created for children who need extra assistance when dressing, and have reduced mobility - all garments have been thoughtfully designed to make dressing easier and more accessible. 

The range has been designed with peg feeding tube holes, fully opening hook and loop fastenings at the neck, waist and ankles, higher backs on all trousers for wheelchair users. In addition, all garments are suitable for those with sensory issues as they all use soft threads and the scratchy care labels have been replaced with printed ones.

There is also a Pudsey tee which features a Braille and sign language graphic across both children’s and adult sizes - with the children’s style featuring the adaptive credentials too. The adaptive range is available from £4.50 for the baby bodysuit starting from 1st size and the children’s clothing starts at £4 for the jersey top - available from age 1-16yrs - with a minimum of 20% of the price of each product goes to BBC Children in Need charity.

Asda have been a partner of BBC Children in Need for 23 years raising over £31 million.

Liz Pichon’s new book, Tom Gates Five Star Stories has also been launched. Get ready for the ultimate FIVE STAR read and find out what happens when Tom and other fan-favourites in his class are challenged to write their funniest story.

www.asda.com

Asda and BBC Children in Need work together

BBC Children in Need and Asda have launched Fuelling Potential, which is a brand-new campaign to ensure that no child is ever held back by food insecurity. 

Over the next three years Asda & BBC Children in Need are aiming to change the lives of 100,000 children by helping to ensure they have access to nutritious meals while having fun at BBC Children in Need funded holiday sessions that help to boost their mental health and physical wellbeing. 

The campaign is part of Asda’s broader Better Starts campaign, the aim of which is to improve outcomes for five million young people over five years.

As part of the campaign, BBC Children in Need have released findings of a new Censuswide survey which sheds light on how children and their parents are feeling in the lead up to the summer holidays, about food insecurity and their ability to entertain their children throughout the holidays.

The nationwide survey found that:

79% of parents surveyed say that rising costs are likely to affect their plans this summer

63% of parents surveyed are concerned about being able to provide food for the family this summer

66% of parents surveyed have cut down on spending on activities and trips due to the rise in the cost of living

63% of parents surveyed have changed the type of food they buy

A quarter of children surveyed (25%) worry at least once a week about having enough food to eat

1 in 5 (22%) of children surveyed say they have missed or had a smaller meal at least once in the last month because their family didn't have enough food.

BBC Children in Need’s CEO Simon Antrobus, said: "We're obviously enormously grateful to our longstanding partner, Asda, for their continued backing and support and their commitment to making a difference to young lives. 

"Over the next three years Fuelling Potential will help us support even more local charities and projects working to combat food insecurity in communities all over the UK, helping more children and young people to thrive and be the very best they can be."

As part of the Fuelling Potential campaign, Asda will offer £1 meals to all children who visit the Asda café throughout the school holidays during the summer and half price adult meals from 3pm daily. And throughout the school summer holidays, selected Asda Stores will be hosting various Pudsey Themed activities and summer clubs.

Jo Warner, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility and ESG at Asda, said: "We know this year will be particularly hard for families facing increased costs over the Summer holiday period, so we’re really delighted to partner with BBC Children in Need to provide meals and activities over the summer holidays. Also, low-cost meals will be available in Asda cafés throughout the summer, with a family of four being able to access a hot, nutritious meal for as little as £8.50."

Supporting the campaign, Rachel Stevens said: "It's vital children and young people aren’t held back by food insecurity, which is why I’m delighted to be supporting BBC Children in Need and Asda’s Fuelling Potential campaign. 

"Providing children with a positive start in life is key to their development and overall wellbeing and ensuring their basic needs are met with a nutritious meal helps them thrive. I’m calling on families, colleagues, and customers to get behind this campaign and help make a difference to the lives of vulnerable young people in local communities across the UK."

For details please visit https://rb.gy/n4wv1.

BBC Good Food Show Summer Announces All Star Line Up

The BBC Good Food Show Events team will be rolling into town once again for their annual Summer Food Show and today announce they will be bringing an all star line up with them to the NEC in June.

James Martin; the Hairy Bikers; John Torode; Gregg Wallace; MasterChef Champion 2012 - Shelina Permaloo; Olly Smith; Michael Caines and local Chef Glynn Purnell will all be cooking live under one roof! The Show will bring to life some of TV's most loved cookery programmes including Saturday Kitchen featuring the omelette challenge and celebrity guests' food heaven and hell. Plus MasterChef sessions hosted by the fearsome duo, featuring cook offs and demonstrations.

These foodie favourites will be joined by some of the most exciting up and coming producers in the country including Moofree who will be bringing dairy free chocolate; Tan Rosie selling their range of Caribbean sauces; Sipsmith's award winning artisan spirits and The Northern Dough company will be bringing their innovative and award winning frozen pizza dough.

Tickets also include entry to BBC Gardeners' World Live where visitors can pick up tips on how to grow your own from Monty Don; Alan Titchmarsh; Carol Klein; Joe Swift and the rest of the team!

James Martin says: "I love the BBC Good Food Show Summer. To me cooking is all about using fresh, seasonal produce and where better to get that from than your own garden. This is the perfect place to learn how to grow your own with your free entry to BBC Gardener's World Live. Combine that with inspiration from top chefs, recipe ideas and hundreds of producers to taste, try and buy from and you've set yourself up for quite the foodie summer!"

Family Weekend
Kids go free at the weekend with activities and entertainment throughout Saturday and Sunday for children.
Organisers are urging visitors to book in advance due to a sell out Saturday at last year's Show.

To book please visit www.BBCGoodFoodShow.com or call 0844 581 1341

Tickets start at £19.75. £1.75 booking fee per ticket applies. The NEC charges £8 for parking, payable on the day.

No animals admitted to the show except for registered assistance or guide dogs. One person admitted free of charge per wheelchair user or person whose disability necessitates a carer. Tickets are sold subject to terms and conditions and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Children under 6 (0-5yrs) are free of charge but do need a ticket to get into the show. If booking online select child ticket from the dropdown menu, or if booking over the telephone, please ask for a free child ticket. Up to two children per paying adult

Under 18s are admitted to the Show accompanied by an adult. In accordance with the law, visitors aged under 18 are not permitted to purchase/sample alcoholic drink products or knives.

Celebrity Chefs coming to Glow, Bluewater, BBC Good Food Show Spring announce the line up 12 – 15 April 2012, Bluewater

The BBC Good Food Show Spring is launching at Glow, Bluewater in April and today announces a line up of celebrity chefs and TV programmes never before seen under one roof in Kent!
Tickets to the Show include a session in the 650 seat Supertheatre which gives visitors a chance to enjoy sessions including Saturday Kitchen Live and MasterChef. On top of this visitors can enjoy live demonstrations from some of the nation’s favourite TV foodie faces including James Martin, John Torode and Gregg Wallace, Gennaro Contaldo and Olly Smith. Plus the Show will host the country’s first chance to see the MasterChef Champion 2012 live on stage!

Celebrity Chef James Martin says “The line up for the BBC Good Food Show Spring is looking set to be one of their best. This is a rare opportunity for members of the public to see so many of their food heroes cooking live all under one roof! What a fantastic opportunity to meet your favourite chefs, star spot plus shop from some of the country’s finest producers!”

Saturday Kitchen
See James Martin host these live sessions featuring celebrity guests, the omelette challenge and food heaven and hell.

The MasterChef Experience
See the 2012 MasterChef Champion Live on stage for the very first time! Plus featuring sessions from John Torode, Gregg Wallace and the 2011 champion Tim Anderson - it really is MasterChef brought to life.

Celebrity Chefs
Pick up inspiration from some of the nation’s favourite chefs including James Martin and The Hairy Bikers who will be demonstrating their skills cooking fresh seasonal and local produce in front of a live audience.

Shopping
Taste try and buy your way round over 100 fantastic producers including areas dedicated to FoodLovers approved produce and Produced in Kent.

To book please visit www.BBCGoodFoodShowSpring.com or call 0844 581 1362

Tickets include timed show entry and a seat in the Supertheatre
Timed show entry times:
Morning session
9.30am – 2pm
Afternoon session
2.30pm – 7pm

Ticket type
Advance standard
Advance gold*
On the door (standard only)
Adult
£16.00
£18.00
£20.00
Over 65s
£14.00
£16.00
£18.00
Child (6-16 yrs)
£8.00
£10.00
£10.00

For more information please visit www.BBCGoodFoodShow.com
£1.75 booking fee per ticket applies.
Child ticket policy
Under 16s (6-15yrs) not permitted on weekdays
Under 5s free every day

*Includes gold seat in the Supertheatre. Gold seats are located within the front 9 rows of the theatre.

Will you detox or comfort eat this winter?

Shedding the pounds with the traditional January detox might prove harder than normal this year for some as new evidence reveals Britons have been comfort eating in record numbers in the face of a worsening economic climate.

Results from the UK's largest food website, www.bbcgoodfood.com the website from the  Good Food Magazine, reveal that cake has overtaken chicken as the most searched-for food term on the website in 2011. In addition, pizza has rocketed up the list of popular searches, from 10th in 2010 to 4th. That other Italian comfort food staple, pasta, has also entered the top ten list of most-searched recipes for the first time.

Other search trends reveal:

Consumers are seeking out more adventurous ingredients and combinations with Chicken and chorizo jambalaya the highest rated recipe of 2011.
Mackerel shot up 10 places from 21 to 10 as users search for different fish to try. Salmon and sea bass also made it into the top 10 searched-for list.
Couscous and courgette (the latter a favourite in 2010) have dropped out of the top ten.
Canapés have also fallen out of the top ten, suggesting we're entertaining less often or prefer more relaxed party food.

February's Good Food Magazine £3.60 is a healthy cooking special, on sale 6th January. It includes quick, feel-good family meals, easy ways to reach your 5-a-day target, energy-boosting snacks and a recipe for dairy-free pizza.

According to Gillian Carter, the editor of the bGood Food Magazine: 'It's not surprising that in tough times we reach for comforting food. One of the ways we keep calm and carry on is with cake and a cuppa - or our imported national favourites - pasta and pizza. However, with a New Year comes a fresh start, so many of us will want to shed a few pounds and this month's healthy issue is packed with inspiring, achievable recipes to help you do this.'


(EDITOR: Is this true of the readers of That's Food and Drink? What do YOU think?)

BBC Good Food Show

It is the BBC Good Food Show at the NEC this week, with the launch today. I will be there today.

That's Food and Drink and That's Christmas will be reporting on what is available at the Good Food Show over the next week or so.

BBC Food Show Winter NEC, Birmingham, 23 – 27 November

The biggest foodie event of the year is back and after the success of the BBC Good Food Show Summer, seeing a sell out Saturday, organisers are urging visitors to book in advance to avoid disappointment on the door.

Rachel Poletti-Gadd – Divisional Director, BBC Haymarket Exhibitions says: “With some of the country’s top chefs on the Supertheare sponsored by Sainsburys, the nation’s favourite TV programmes bought to life in the MasterChef Experience and Saturday Kitchen Live stage this is the date in the foodie calendar. After the huge success of the Summer Show we want to make visitors aware that tickets may not always be available on the day plus your tickets are cheaper if you book in advance.”

The NEC is once again set to play host to some of the leading names in the foodie world, including John Torode, Gregg Wallace, Rick Stein, James Martin, Glynn Purnell and Michael Caines in a 2000-seater Supertheatre.

They are expecting over 400 exhibitors and some highlights confirmed so far are:

Foxes Spices

Flavours of Spain – importing a fantastic range of artisan Spanish produce

Demijohn – The Liquid Deli

Stewed

Luponde Tea

Eat Paella

American Food Direct – importers of American food

Marks and Spencer

English Provender – purveyors of some of the countries finest condiments, chutneys and dressings

Nairns Oatcakes

Burts Chips

Curry Sauce Company

Plus a whole range of professional chefs knives – including Kin, Global and I.O.SHEN