Community Fridge pilot launched in Greenacres

The project was announced by Oldham Council Leader Amanda Chadderton and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and will aim to help fight local food insecurity.

A Community Fridge is a space that brings people together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. It is a site where local people can share food, this includes surplus from supermarkets, local food businesses, producers, households and gardens.

On Wednesday 1 March, Oldham Council Leader Amanda Chadderton and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham launched a Community Fridge at Greenacres Community Centre in Oldham.

The fridge will be run by community groups with the main purpose of saving fresh food from going to waste. This is now more important than ever with the current high costs of living and less food waste will be a benefit for the environment.

The journey for this Community Fridge Pilot began with the Co-op and the environmental charity Hubbub supporting the ‘In Our Nature’ programme which is a partnership between Manchester Climate Change Agency, Hubbub, Groundwork Greater Manchester, Amity, the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research and Manchester City Council.

Following the success of the Community Fridges through the In Our Nature programme, Hubbub and the Co-op were asked if they could pilot and fund a cluster of Community Fridges in a Greater Manchester locality which would provide one in every 30-50,000 neighbourhood footprint. They agreed to undertake this pilot in Oldham as there was already a Community Fridge based at the Failsworth Co-op Academy.

This cluster pilot is a first and Hubbub, the Co-op and Action Together have worked collaboratively to identify suitable locations and host organisations in communities to ensure there is equal coverage across the district.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “I congratulate Hubbub, Co-op and Action Together for launching their Community Fridge pilot in Oldham following a request by the Greater Manchester Food Security Action Network to pilot a cluster model in the city region. This initiative will involve working with the local community to tackle food insecurity and reduce food waste amidst the difficult times we’re in with the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis.

“Our recent Greater Manchester Residents Survey found that 8 in 10 people say their cost of living has increased over the past month and around 70,000 more households are experiencing food insecurity compared to last spring. People are clearly struggling and that’s why projects such as Community Fridges are so vital in providing a safety net for those who need it. It will also contribute to our ambitions towards carbon net zero by reducing avoidable food waste by making sure it goes to people. This community-led approach can help residents access healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a dignified way whilst also helping the environment.

"I hope this pilot is a success and I look forward to seeing it rolled out across Greater Manchester.”

Oldham Council Leader, Amanda Chadderton, said: "With high costs of living continuing to impact everyone we need to urgently address the issue of food waste and food insecurity.

"In September of 2022, over a quarter of households (nationally) with children experienced food insecurity, that represents over four million children. We also know that shockingly, 27% of UK children are living in poverty, and in Oldham this figure at almost 40%.

"For young people, some of which the cost of living crisis has heavily impacted, food insecurity contributes to increased anxiety, poor mental health, poor social and emotional development, and a reduced level of achievement in school.

"That’s why I’m so pleased to see this scheme taking place as I know it will make a real difference to families and those who are struggling. One step at a time, ideas like this will help us work toward our goal of ending food insecurity and the inequalities it brings.

"Thank you to everyone involved in this project – you are making a real difference."

Matt Hood, MD at Co-op Food said: “We recognise our responsibility to make a genuine difference to the communities we serve and absolutely believe that everybody should have access to good food. We’re pleased to be working with our partners to grow the essential community fridge network to directly help people in Oldham come together to eat, connect, learn new skills and reduce food waste. It is a real and significant step for this community to ensure fairer access to food for all.”

“For all at Co-op, this feels like a real step in the right direction to ensure fairer access to food for all.”

Aoife Allen, Director, Hubbub said: “Today’s launch shows true community spirit and co-operation in action. We are proud that there are now over 450 brilliant community fridges across the UK, where anyone can meet their neighbours and take home good food that would otherwise go to waste. With support from Co-op and all our partners in Greater Manchester, we look forward to seeing the benefits that these community fridges will bring to Oldham.”

The Community Fridge Network is coordinated by Hubbub and it connects ‘fridges’ across the UK. Hubbub have partnered with Co-op to fund 500 fridges by the end of 2023. It is a support network for groups running community fridges to share knowledge and skills and to ask questions.

The Network offers free guidance on how communities can set up their own fridge and provides comprehensive support, design assets, a knowledge sharing forum, health and safety templates and discounted fridges and freezers.

More information about Community Fridges are available on the hubbub website: Community Fridge Network, https://www.hubbub.org.uk/the-community-fridge.

No and low alcohol brews are now UK’s fastest growing beer varieties

Growing UK demand for no and low alcohol beer is now so strong it's growing faster than any other beer type including some on trend craft varieties.

At Tesco demand for no and low beer has rocketed by nearly 40% in the last two years helped by the introduction of dedicated brands likes Lucky Saint, Athletic Brewing and Days 0%.

Notably, it’s not just the annual Dry January campaign that is inspiring healthier drinking, with Tesco recording its highest ever Christmas week demand for no and low beer as sales soared by 43 per cent on the previous year.

The supermarket also reports a new shopping pattern emerging with no and low beer drinkers switching to buying larger pack sizes rather than single cans or bottles, as a result of more confidence in the quality now available.

Tesco No and Low Beer buyer Sam Harrop said: “Interest in no and low alcohol beer is so strong dedicated brewers have emerged in recent years which has resulted in more choice for shoppers. 

“This has led to great improvements in quality with these specialist brewers inspiring far better ingredients and processes in order to create full-bodied no and low beers that taste authentic.

“The success of this market has shown us that growing numbers of drinkers seeking healthier brews are prepared to buy no and low alcohol beers as long as the quality is good.”

The Tesco sales data backs up findings in a 2022 No and Low Insight Report compiled by retail consumer research experts KAM in collaboration with category leader Lucky Saint.

The report* found that:

55 per cent of UK adults are planning on moderating their alcohol intake in 2023 

Awareness of the alcohol-free category is at an all-time high, with beer leading the way - up from 86 per cent in 2020 to 95 per cent in 2022

One in three pub visits are now alcohol-free 

Consumption of alcohol-free is being driven by ‘at-home’ occasions, with 37 per cent of UK adults drinking alcohol-free at home once a week or more 

54 per cent of consumers said they go to supermarkets to discover healthier new alcohol-free options 

Lucky Saint is one of the newer UK alcohol-free brands which has been instrumental in taking the category to the next level.

The brand says it is on a mission to elevate the drinking experience for alcohol-free drinkers, firstly with its lager, and now with the launch of their London pub, The Lucky Saint, championing alcohol-free drinks alongside alcoholic options.

Lucky Saint founder Luke Boase said: “Wanting to moderate your alcohol consumption has been a growing trend over the last five years, and 2023 is set to become the year moderation goes mainstream with over 50% of UK adults planning to cut down their consumption.

“Dry January was particularly exciting this year, with over nine million people taking part - it's a time when our category jumps forward, and the growth is sustained with millions of people continuing to drink No and Low throughout the year.

“Like us, Tesco is betting big on the No and Low category and it shares our view of what consumers are looking for - healthier options and great-tasting alcohol-free drinks that make moderating alcohol consumption easier, which is a great thing.”

Sainsbury's is very Neighbourly as it donates 10 million meals

Sainsbury’s has reached a significant meal donation milestone with food re-distribution partner Neighbourly, saving 4,500 tonnes of food going to waste.

The move brings Sainsbury’s a step nearer in its pledge to reduce food waste across its value chain by 50% by 2030.

The partnership is just one way in which Sainsbury’s supports communities with access to food, with its newly launched Nourish the Nation programme recently donating £3 million to help fight food poverty

Sainsbury’s has announced it's reached a significant milestone with Neighbourly, having donated its 10 millionth meal to those facing food insecurity in 18 months.

Sainsbury's has worked with Neighbourly since 2021 to connect all its stores with local charity partners, helping to manage surplus food donations. Via this partnership, both ambient and fresh groceries can be donated to a store’s connected charity, helping Sainsbury’s to redistribute food to those facing food poverty in local communities.

The partnership with Neighbourly has prevented 4,500 tonnes of food from going to waste, a move which has reduced carbon emissions by over 16,000 tonnes. Meanwhile, through using the Neighbourly platform, Sainsbury’s has donated food to over 2,500 good causes across the UK, that help four million people every week.

In just the week leading up to Christmas over 335,000 meals were provided to local charities which support over 1,227,000 people weekly all over the UK, helping to support communities over the festive period.

Ruth Cranston, who is Sainsbury’s Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, said: “We have donated food to charities and community groups since 1998, but our partnership with Neighbourly has really helped us accelerate how many people we can help.

"We know our partnership is more important than ever before with food banks facing more demand than before. Supporting the communities we serve with the rising cost of living is important to us, it’s why we are pleased to hit such a huge milestone of donating 10 million meals. 

"We’re incredibly proud of this partnership and have worked hard in engaging our stores and they have done a great job in driving this forward. We look forward to continuing our work with Neighbourly.”

Steve Butterworth, CEO of Neighbourly, said: "Sainsbury’s is genuinely committed to local action and we’re pleased to be accelerating the scheme to help forge strong community collaboration between their stores and charity partners whilst combatting the environmental impact of wasted food.

"The current cost-of-living crisis means more families than ever before are relying on their local community charities for food and other services, and this scheme is making a huge difference to thousands of local groups and the people they support."

Working with Neighbourly to donate surplus food is just one of the ways Sainsbury’s is able to supports those who are facing food insecurity. In November 2022, it launched Nourish the Nation - a long-term programme designed specifically to tackle food poverty with Comic Relief.

The programme funds initiatives that help communities access balanced, nutritional and sustainable food now, as well as supporting projects that help prevent people and communities falling further into food poverty in the future. Sainsbury's kicked off Nourish the Nation with a £3 million donation, and it follows 24 years of work with Comic Relief, in which time over £153 million has been raised.

Easter Celebration Ideas from Mandira's Kitchen

Easter celebrations are a really good chance to meet with friends and family and enjoy good food and good times. But who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen and missing out on all the fun?  

But! Mandira's Kitchen have put together a special menu for Easter which can be ordered from March to be delivered or collected the week before Easter.

For the Easter weekend only, Mandira's Kitchen have put together some special spring menus for you to enjoy. You can opt between Classic or Vegetarian dining.

The special menu includes Spinach and Onion Pakoras with green chutney, and Bombay Mix.  The main course is a choice of Classic Easter Lamb Currey or Paneer for the vegetarian option.  Saffron rice; Jaipuri Baingan (roasted aubergines in a spicy masala); Vegetable Handi (a rich vegetable curry); Garlic and Coriander Naan bread; poppadums and Palak Raita (Spiced yoghurt with spinach). 

No feast would be complete without some Sweet Endings, which include: - Rasmalai (Milk dumplings in a rose and pistachio sauce); Boondi Ladoo (A delicious Indian treat made with sugar, spices and gram flour); Masala Chai and cans of Ready-to-drink Silent Pool Gin & Tonic and Firebird IPA (one per person). 

Mandira Sarkar, owner and founder of Mandira's Kitchen says: “Easter weekend is traditionally about families getting together and we want to help make sure they spend as much time together in conversation and as little time in the kitchen as possible with our Easter family feasts.”

Of course, Mandira's Kitchen will cater for any dietary restrictions, and you can discuss your individual needs by emailing orders@mandiraskitchen.com.

All items can be ordered online from https://www.mandiraskitchen.com/collections/easter-2022/products/easter-menu-2023 for  UK-wide free delivery by Thursday 6th April or choose a click and collect right up to Easter Weekend (although the shop will be closed on Easter Sunday 9 April). All food arrives frozen and can be kept in the fridge for 48 hours or in the freezer for up to 6 months.  Dishes can be heated in the microwave in 4 minutes, or in the oven.  Full details https://www.mandiraskitchen.com

If your Mother is into cocktails, make Devon Cove your go to!

The producer behind the multi award-winning and silky smooth Cove Vodka, Devon Cove, has expertly

curated a whole range of cocktail sets which make a unique and highly desirable gift for Mother's Day. 

These attractive gift boxes are wrapped in a colourful ribbon and include a handwritten gift tag with free nationwide delivery over £30.

Cove Passion Royale Cocktail and Salcombe Candle Gift Box £43.00

The gift box includes – Cove Passion Royale Cocktail Kit (20cl bottle of Cove Passion Liqueur, 2 x 20cl bottles of Prosecco, recipe) Salcombe Candle Company Hope Cove Seashells Candle and a personal gift tag. There's enough to make four cocktails. Cove Passion Fruit Liqueur is enchantingly exotic and silky smooth. Fresh passion fruits have been expertly combined with Cove Vodka to create a delicate, delicious liqueur.

Cove Hazelnut Liqueur, Hot Chocolate and Marshmallow Gift Box £36.90

A deliciously indulgent gift for all mums! The box includes - 20cl bottle of Cove Hazelnut Liqueur (made with Cove's award-winning Potato Vodka and caramelised hazelnuts, 150g luxury hot chocolate from Salcombe Dairy and 80g chocolate dipped marshmallows from the Grown-up Marshmallow Company. Cove Hazelnut Liqueur is gorgeous sipped or mixed with a hot chocolate, or you can enjoy it served over ice.

Cove Passion Fruit Martini & Macaron Gift Box £42.90

The Passion Fruit Martini is Cove's take on the ever popular Pornstar Martini. They've combined their luxuriously smooth Cove Vodka, Passion Liqueur, vanilla, pineapple and lime to create a deliciously fruity and tantalising cocktail. Combined with a box of delicious macarons it's a fabulous gift. 20cl bottle of award-winning Cove Vodka, 20cl Cove Passion Liqueur, 20cl Monin Vanilla Syrup, 20cl Pineapple Juice, Simple instructions, A box of 6 macarons from Pretty Little Pastries. Serves 4. All you need are glasses, ice, fresh lime and passion fruit (optional).

Founded in 2019 by Leanne Carr, Devon Cove creates exceptional vodka using King Edward potatoes lovingly grown on Leanne's family farm overlooking Hope Cove. Already the recipient of multiple high profile awards, Cove vodka is as pure and clean as the sea air around it and uniquely smooth to taste. Cove Vodka, Cove Cocktail Kits, Cove Coffee Liqueur, Cove Damson Liqueur, Cove Rum, Cove Hazelnut Liqueur, Cove Passion Liqueur and a wide range of gift boxes are all available to purchase from www.devoncove.co.uk with free nationwide delivery over £30.

To keep up to date with all of Devon Cove's news and for cocktail recipes and inspiration 'like' @Devon Cove Vodka on Facebook, 'follow' devoncovevodka on Instagram or @devoncovevodka on Twitter or visit www.devoncove.co.uk

Wickhams' Wines of the Month

Langham Rosé Brut NV, Dorset

£35.00 Single Bottle £31.50 Any 6 Mix

75cl ABV: 12%

This award-winning pink fizz has aromas of pink petals, pastry and strawberries which are followed by a bright, refreshing palette. There is a fine mousse with notes of strawberries & cream, sour cherry & pink lady apple with an integrated citrus acidity. This is a complex wine with a long finish. 85% of the grapes come from the legendary October 2018 vintage with the rest coming from reserve.

Piquepoul Rosé Foncalieu 2021, Languedoc

£13.33 Single Bottle £12.00 Any 6 Mix

75cl ABV: 13%

Produced by Les Vignobles Foncalieu in Vin de Pays d'Oc, Southern France, this medium bodied, dry rosé is produced using solely the rare Piquepoul Noir grape. An attractive pale pink in colour, Piquepoul Rosé Foncalieu has a delicate nose of cherry blossom, strawberries and peaches. The palate is wonderfully fresh with summer berry flavours and notes of crushed rose petals. These fruity notes are balanced perfectly with a lively, citrus acidity, leaving the palate refreshed.

Malbec World Day: Monday 17th April 2023

Allowing time to stock up for Malbec World Day, Wickhams has an online tasting event taking place on Thursday 16th March which focuses on Malbec. In its homeland of southern France, Malbec was deemed only useful to bulk out wines and add colour. It then found a new home in Argentina where the altitude allowed it to show its aromatic personality. It has since become one of the most popular grape varieties in the world. Dan Farrell-Wright and Pip Vanham (AIWS DipWSET) will present six Malbec wines from Argentina, France and Australia and this is their pick of the bunch:

Finca Sophenia 'Altosur' Malbec 2021, Mendoza

£15.50 Single Bottle £13.95 Any 6 Mix

75cl ABV: 14%

Awarded Best In Show at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2022. This wine has an attractive red colour with violet hues and aromas of intense ripe fruit, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and fresh plums, combined with spicy and floral hints. In the mouth the sweet and round tannins increase its fruit sensation and balance. A wine of good intensity, concentration and long aftertaste. When originally launched this wine was awarded the Decanter International Trophy for Best World Red. Quite some achievement for a new winery.

Wickhams is an award-winning independent online wine merchant founded by Dan Farrell-Wright. Sourcing the finest Estate bottled wines from around the world, as well as the UK, Wickhams curate collections from the everyday to the classics, so there's something to suit all tastes. They passionately believe in stocking wines, spirits and gift sets at a range of price points to ensure their products are accessible to all. 

A special focus is placed on finding producers who have strong stories and strong ethics, with sustainability and diversity at the forefront. Delivery is available to mainland UK with all orders packed in 100% recyclable packaging. Orders over £40 are shipped free of charge.

For more information about Wickhams' products visit www.wickhamwine.co.uk. You can also follow them on facebook and instagram @wickhamwine. 

Worth checking out what fine wines they have in stock for Mother's Day.

Make Mother's Day extra-special with the help of Devon Hampers

If there is one thing everyone can agree on, it's that a delicious cream tea tastes heavenly and that's why a Devon Hampers Luxury Cream Tea Hamper is the perfect gift on Mothering Sunday.

The hamper is full of delectable treats including four freshly baked scones, that are rich, light and sweet and the perfect size for a spoonful of the smoothest Devon clotted cream and a spoonful of strawberry jam that's filled with flavour. 

There are other suitable treats, too. Real fudge, tasty biscuits and a bottle of delicious Devon cider, or why not brew the perfect cup of Cornish Smuggler Tea for a quintessentially English treat on Mother's Day? 

Prosecco Devon Cream Tea For Two Hamper £30.50 including delivery

If your mum loves her afternoon tea treats, the Prosecco Devon Cream Tea For Two hamper is a wonderful luxury gift hamper to arrive on her doorstep. 

The hamper features freshly baked scones, the finest Devon clotted cream and strawberry jam, made in the same village as Devon Hampers,  all to be enjoyed with a cup of perfectly brewed Devonshire Tea, or a glass of the finest Prosecco.

Devon Hampers Celebration Cream Tea Hamper from £55 including delivery

The Devon Hampers Celebration Hamper will make your mum's day with a traditional cream tea the star of the show, but with some carefully chosen extras too. For the cream tea, there are two freshly baked scones, just the right amount of crumble, and the perfect amount of lightness, with the smoothest Devon clotted cream and richest  strawberry jam ready to be piled on top in big spoonfuls. 

Included in the hamper are other flavours and tastes of the Westcountry too, such as cheese, crackers, chutney, a fruit cake and a bottle of Prosecco, making this the ultimate hamper to celebrate Mothering Sunday.

Devon Hampers also has a GLUTEN FREE Cream Tea Hamper (from £24.50 including delivery)

And a VEGAN Cream Tea  (from £23.50 including delivery)

To place your orders please visit https://www.devonhampers.com/

Have a great day of Welsh feasting on St David's Day, courtesy of Asda

 Asda is here to help its customers celebrate one of the most colourful days of the year in Wales, St David’s Day. 

From pies to yoghurts to Welsh cakes and whisky and gin to wash it all down, you’ll find everything you need to celebrate the wondrous legend of St David. But be quick, offers are running in store and online over selected dates only.

For example:-

Popty Bakery Traditional Bara Brith Fruit Cake. Made using a traditional recipe by the third generation of the Williams family in the foothills of Snowdonia. £2.60 (WAS £3.00)

Popty Bakery Six Traditional Welsh Cakes. Rich, moist, fruited teatime treats. Eat as they are or warmed, spread thickly with butter and jam. Enjoy! £0.95 (WAS £1.10)

Welsh Brew 160 Tea Bags Their original premium tea. Blending teas for our wonderful Welsh water since 1989. Foil wrapped for freshness. 30 years of proper Welsh brews. £1.25 (WAS £2.20)

Penderyn Celt Single Malt Welsh Whisky 70cl Penderyn Celt is a Peated whisky which stems from the maturation of the light and fruity Penderyn spirit in the finest Kentucky ex-bourbon barrels first and then in richly peated Islay quarter casks. £23.00 (WAS £32.00)

Edwards of Conwy 6 Traditional Pork Sausages Their Traditional Pork Sausages are made using only the finest cuts of British Shoulder of Pork, delicately seasoned for a flavoursome and succulent sausage £2.50 (WAS £3.25)

Check out www.Asda.com for more Welsh goodies!

Have a loaf on us’ to celebrate One Stop’s 1000th store

Have a loaf on us’ to celebrate One Stop’s 1000th store.

As part of the celebrations One Stop is giving away free loaves of bread to customers.

Convenience retailer, One Stop, is celebrating the opening of its 1000th store by giving away free loaves of bread to its customers.

In addition, to mark the day, One Stop, a subsidiary of Tesco, is giving away £10,000 to up to ten local community groups in the Wolverhampton area.

As a community retailer, One Stop have always worked hard to give back to those who have supported their journey. So each community group will receive a donation of £1,000. For example, Promise Dreams will use the funding to continue their work of granting wishes for terminally ill children. Also, St Alban’s Church will use the grant to support their local food bank.

The 1000th store, which opened in Wolverhampton on Friday 17th February is particularly appropriate as One Stop started its journey in the same city, as a simple market stall, nearly half a century ago.

One Stop has been recognised with several industry awards including 2022 ‘Convenience Retailer of the Year’ at the Retail Industry Awards.

Sarah Lawler, One Stop's MD  said: “The opening of our 1000th store is a really exciting time for our 10,000 colleagues. It is great to look back at what we’ve achieved and we’re excited about the future.”

“We’d love to invite people into stores to have a ‘loaf on us’ in partnership with Warburtons to celebrate this milestone.”

“Part of this significant achievement is the growth of our franchise business, which, eight years ago didn’t exist. The franchise business continues to build the brand into a stronger entity within the convenience market. How we manage, learn and continue to grow the two businesses in parallel gives us a unique opportunity and I look forward to our next key milestone.”

“Thanks to the dedication of our colleagues and support of our customers, we are also incredibly proud to have donated £10 million to charity in the last ten years. We have always strived to give back to those who live in the communities we serve.”

One Stop supports three national charities and countless regional and community organisations and grassroots initiatives. One Stop has also donated 200,000 foodbank meals and has been working on key programmes to make food more readily available to others. This includes joining initiatives including ‘Too Good to Go’ (https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb and OLIO (https://olioex.com/get-involved/volunteer/food-waste-heroes/).

Further price cuts announced by Morrisons

Morrisons haslaunched a new wave of price cuts across 64 own brand products to continue its commitment in helping its customers' money go that little bit further.

Morrisons has invested £25 million to reduce prices by an average of 19% on products like: fresh produce like salad vegetables, carrots and potatoes and cupboard essentials including coffee and rice. Over the last 6 months Morrisons has invested £148 million to cut the prices on popular, essential and entry level products.

Special promotional offers will also help customers get more for their money, with deals like 2 for £2 on selected crisps, 3 for £2 on soft drinks and 2 for £1.80 on cereals. 

The investment from Morrisons is its latest move in cutting prices and follows price reductions to 1,000 products last month, plus 5p off fuel offers in both January and February, plus the introduction of My Morrisons Exclusives for My Morrisons members.

David Potts, Chief Executive, explained: “We're just seven weeks into 2023 and already this is our fifth significant price activity of the year. These latest price cuts follow hard on the heels of two notable in store price cuts involving well over 1,000 products, and two strong fuel promotions, demonstrating our determination and commitment to make a positive difference to our customers’ pockets.”

(I have actually noticed the latest bit of price reductions when I was shopping in Morrisons the other day.)