Aldi faces down council in ice cream wars

What’s even better, customers can secure a £5 voucher to purchase their own ice-cream, simply by emailing freealdiicecream@clarioncomms.co.uk. (T&C comply)

Aldi is offering free ice-cream outside its Brocklebank Road store on Friday 16th June, following the news that Greenwich Council will be banning ice-cream vans in the borough during the summer months.

Pictured: Aldi giveaway ice creams outside the store in Greenwich.  Leading budget supermarket Aldi has come to the rescue for people in a London Borough where ice cream vans have been banned, by simply handing out free frozen desserts.  

Greenwich Council shocked local residents when it published a list of streets across Greenwich and Woolwich town centres where ice cream vans could be prohibited from trading during the summer months.

But Aldi stepped in to counter this ban help and offered Londoners the cool treats as the warm weather continues, even going so far as offering shoppers the chance to win free ice cream.  

Visitors to the Greenwich store on Brocklebank Road could be lucky enough to scoop up to 23 ice creams with a £5 voucher.

Even better, UK Aldi shoppers will be in with a chance to bag some free ice-cream, simply by emailing freealdiicecream@clarioncomms.co.uk to secure a £5 voucher.

The decision to ban ice-cream vans, which was announced by Greenwich Council this week, was met with a frosty reception by Greenwich residents. Thankfully, Aldi has moved in to save the day with the offer of an abundance of ice cool treats for free from its Brocklebank Road store.

With Aldi prices starting from just 21p per ice-lolly, lucky winners will be able to scoop  up to 23 ice-creams with their free voucher. All customers need do is send an email to this to email address: freealdiicecream@clarioncomms.co.uk along with their name and address.

Julie Ashfield, who is the Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, said: “We’d like to reassure ice-cream fans, not just in Greenwich, but across the nation, that they can still enjoy a delicious summertime treat as we head into another weekend of heatwave weather!”

Customers can use their voucher to try Aldi’s extensive range of delicious ice-creams, which includes shopper favourites such as the Gianni’s Caramelised Biscuit Chocsticks (£2.49, 3 pack), Gianni’s Strawberry & Vanilla Ice Blitz (£1.15, 6 pack) and Gianni’s Mini Whirlz (£1.99, 8 pack).

Aldi’s ice-cream range is available in store and via Click & Collect now.

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Full T&Cs apply, visit: https://www.aldi.co.uk/free-ice-creams

Aldi is switching to colourless, greener, milktops in all its 990 UK stores

Following last year's successful trial, Aldi, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket, is introducing the easier to recycle caps on all its milk lines in a bid to further boost the recyclability of the bottles.

Partnering with several suppliers, the new milk caps have started to appear in stores this week onward.

The roll out will mean a further 200 tonnes of High-Density Polythene (rHDPE) in the bottle tops can be reused to create new milk bottles.  

Customers will still be able to distinguish the milk type via the labels, which will remain red, green or blue depending on the fat content of the milk it contains.

Luke Emery, Aldi's Plastics and Packaging Director said: “At Aldi we are constantly reviewing ways to become a more sustainable supermarket and cut down on single-use plastic. That means working closely with all our suppliers to find solutions that will make a real difference.

“Improving the recyclability of packaging on an everyday product like milk has been well received by our customers, who are increasingly aware of products being environmentally friendly.”

Aldi brings out a real Wimbledon Winner with the return of Baileys Extra Thick Strawberry Cream

Back by popular customer demand, the limited-edition Baileys Extra Thick Strawberry Cream (£2.19) has returned exclusively to Aldi stores ahead of the Wimbledon season. And Aldi shoppers can bag this treat now.

Following its great success last year, the supermarket predicts it will sell enough of the cream to fill around 10 swimming pools!

Made with 100% yummy British cream, it’s deliciously rich and indulgently thick which makes it a perfect doubles partner with Aldi’s Specially Selected Strawberries (£2.85, 400g). And with strawberries expected to be bigger and sweeter than previous years due to the cooler spring weather, Aldi's shoppers will be in for the ultimate treat when paired with this decedent summer topping.

For those who want something even sweeter, why not try pairing it with Aldi’s Dessert Menu Strawberry Cheesecake (£0.85, 400g) for an overload of creamy strawberry delight?

The launch comes as Aldi serves up its first ever Swing Ball Championships, which is open and free to book during 3rd – 7th July.

Baileys Extra Thick Strawberry Cream is available in Aldi stores now, while stocks last, of course!

Kings Cross Commuters to team up with Sainsbury and Comic Relief

Sainsbury’s ‘DINspiration’ pop-up launches 26 and 27 June in London Kings Cross, giving busy workers dinner inspiration by offering grab-and-go meal kits.

This pop-up follows research by Sainsbury’s revealing a massive 74% of commuters think about what they'll be having for dinner on their homeward commute.

For a mere 50p, commuters can purchase a complete meal kit inspired by Sainsbury’s Inspired to Cook range, with all the proceeds being donated to Comic Relief.

Sainsbury's is donating 50p to Comic Relief for every Inspired to Cook product sold until 11th July.

Research by Sainsbury’s has revealed that deciding what to cook for dinner is high on the agenda for commuters, with 74% saying they think about their evening mealtime on their journey home.

Mid-week dinners seem to be missing variety due to this on-the-go attitude, with 63% of Brits admitting they struggle to come up with healthy meal options for dinner, citing lack of inspiration as the key reason behind this issue (32%).

Over a quarter (27%) of us confirmed they we'd vary our meals more often if it was quick and easy to do, with an additional 25% saying we'd like to introduce healthy recipes and variety into mealtimes. Over 50% of Brits confirmed we cook between one and four dishes on repeat each month.

Sainsbury’s is serving up a dose of ‘DINspiration’ and helping to solve this commuter's dilemma with a new two-day pop-up in London’s Kings Cross, offering commuters a flavourful, healthful grab-and-go meal kit for two, containing ingredients from its Inspired to Cook range, alongside fresh ingredients and recipes needed to cook the meals at home.

Peckish commuters can pick up a meal kit for a mere 50p, with all proceeds donated directly to Comic Relief. The amount raised from these sales highlights a wider initiative by Sainsbury’s, in which the retailer will donate 50p for every product sold from its Inspired to Cook range in store and online from now until 11th July.

This forms part of Sainsbury's Nourish the Nation programme with Comic Relief which aims to tackle food poverty now and in the future. Overall, it's hoped this six-week drive, which launched on 31st May, will contribute at least £3million to the programme this summer.

The DINspiration pop-up will be available to commuters outside London Kings Cross station on 26 and 27 June from 5pm to 7pm. The kits will contain complete ingredients for recipes such as Teriyaki Stir Fry and Harissa Chicken Traybake, helping busy commuters find inspiration for their dinners in a convenient, nutritious, and time-effective way.

Ruth Cranston, who is Sainsbury’s Director of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability said: “With so many people lacking dinner inspiration, we hope our pop-up adds a bit of flavour to commuters' mealtimes. 

"Our Inspired to Cook range is designed to inspire our customers’ food choices, helping them to cook fresh, nutritional meals with ease. And now, with Sainsbury's donating 50p from every Inspired To Cook product sold until 11th July, this popular range not only tastes good, but does good too. All funds raised will go to our long-standing charity partner Comic Relief as part of our Nourish the Nation initiative, which seeks to prevent people falling into food poverty now and in the future."

Working in partnership with Comic Relief, Sainsbury’s Nourish the Nation programme supports organisations such as Feeding Britain and The Bread and Butter Thing in their work to help alleviate food poverty in communities across the country.

www.sainsbury.com.

Baking Yesteryear

Baking Yesteryear is a baking cookery book written by baking enthusiast and TikTok and YouTube star B. Dylan Hollis. 

It covers interesting baking recipes from throughout the 20th century

If you'd like to know what baking recipes that your grandparents and great-grandparents made and have a go at baking them for yourself, then this book is for you. 

In it B. Dylan Hollis highlights some of the most unique baking treats of yesteryear.

Take a trip back in time on a delicious jaunt through the 100 years of the 20th century as Dylan shows you how to bake vintage treats, many of them long-forgotten baking gems.

With Dylan's quirky humour and baking gusto, you'll find yourself baking savoury and sweet forgotten treats. 

Over the years Bermudian Dylan has baked hundreds of recipes from scores of antique cookbooks and recipe booklets and official government publications.

He has selected the top of these recipes for this bakebook, with top recipes from each decade.

However, there are some recipes included that might not have stood the test (or taste?) of time as they are said to be spectacularly dreadful! But why not give these a try, too? You can't say you weren't warned!

A few of Dylan's favourites are:

- 1900s Cornflake Macaroons

- 1910s ANZAC Biscuits

- 1930s Peanut Butter Bread

- 1940s Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake

- 1950s Tomato Soup Cake

- 1970s Potato Chip Cookies

It's available on pre-order from Amazon.co.uk in hardback at £17.60.

FPA issues guidance on packaging claiming to be ‘plastic-free’

The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has issued key guidance to address the claims made by producers of ‘plastic-free’ packaging.

In response to the big increase in foodservice packaging claiming to be plastic-free, linked with the confusion and misunderstanding surrounding the validity of plastic-free packaging claims, the FPA has published a list of requirements to help inform packaging buyers conducting due diligence prior to  purchase.

“Our members, foodservice retailers and the general public need clarity”, says Martin Kersh, Executive Director at the FPA (pictured.) 

He went on to say: “FPA members need to know what evidence they should be looking for to validate packaging, while foodservice retailers must be confident they're making buying decisions based on evidence that's valid in the UK.

“Having board-based packaging that can hold hot fluids, sauces and oils in safety, without some form of plastic lining or coating, is a huge attraction for retailers”, Kersh continues. “However, while plastic-free packs don’t contain the polyethylene (PE) or PLA most often used to make packs effective, many do use other plastics, like acrylic, as part of what's known as a dispersion coating. As such, there are packs that claim to be plastic-free, when they're not."

There is much confusion regarding the certification used to evidence claims of ‘plastic-free’ and symbols used to demonstrate conformity. Some certificates are produced by organisations that aren't  recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) – and there are other symbols which are totally fictitious and are a total and clear breach of the Competition & Markets Authority Green Claims Code.

The FPA guidance for plastic-free packaging is summarised below:

1. Plastic-free must mean 100% plastic-free – with no intentionally added plastic present – either in the principal substrate or within the lining/coating.

2. The finished pack (not only the material it consists of) must be independently tested and certified to be 100% plastic-free by a certification body recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

3. The testing must identify the presence of any plastic, and not just those plastics that might be present in the packaging the ‘plastic-free’ pack is seeking to replace.

4. Certification issued by a country outside the UK does not necessarily validate a claim made in the UK. The due diligence for packaging being marketed in the UK needs to ensure the evidence/certification is accredited by UKAS.

5. The only symbols shown must be those of the UKAS-accredited certifying body, accompanied by a license number.

“The guidance for plastic-free packaging falls into the same category as that required for all other claims regarding the origin and credentials of the certifying body”, adds Kersh. “All our members are required to operate their businesses in accordance with the FPA Code of Practice, which expressly forbids the use of any unsubstantiated claims”.

A full copy of the FPA guidance can be viewed at the FBA website. Businesses seeking certification can visit the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) website to source accredited organisations. UKAS is appointed by government to assess and accredit organisations providing certification and testing facilities.

https://foodservicepackaging.org.uk

Spanish dining proving a hit with Waitrose shoppers

With the warmer, summer weather hitting the UK it seems that living the Mediterranean lifestyle is proving popular, with Waitrose reporting an increase in demand for Spanish dining. 

Spanish tapas is also a top pick during the heatwave, with #SpanishTapas gaining 10.4 million views on TikTok and 57k views in only the last 30 days. On Waitrose.com searches for ‘Spanish tortilla’, ‘patatas bravas’, and ‘manchego’ are up 82%, 20% and 50% respectively. 

Said Jane Whitehead, who is the Waitrose deli buyer: “As soon as the temperatures begin to rise we see many of our customers heading straight to our deli section to create the perfect tapas style dinner, or ‘picky tea’ as some people like to call it. 

"95% of the range on our deli counters are exclusive to us, with flavoured hams and olives proving especially popular at the moment as our customers create tapas boards for their alfresco dining experience.”

Sales of gazpacho have also risen by a staggering 146% in the last week alone as more and more of opt for lighter and more refreshing lunches. Paella is also on many menus with searches on Waitrose.com for their Chicken & Chorizo Paella recipe up by an impressive 89% over the last month, and sales of their paella rice are also up by 16% compared against last year.  

Jamie Matthewson, their head of wine buying, recommends the Loved & Found Treixadura as the perfect paella pairing, with its floral aromas and citrus notes matching perfectly with the rich chorizo flavours.

Why might this be happening? That's Food and Drink can think of two explanations. People wish to recreate their Spanish holiday meals at home. And others are aware that due to the fact that Spain is much warmer than Britain all year round, Spanish cuisine is more suited to being eaten during warmer weather.

Lidl is extending Prevented Ocean Plastic™ to its water bottle packaging

From next month, July, Lidl's San Celestino Italian sparkling mineral water bottles will incorporate the ocean bound plastic.

The permanent change will prevent the equivalent of nearly 4 million plastic water bottles from entering the ocean annually.

Also Lidl's changing all milk caps from coloured to clear, further boosting their recyclability.

Lidl GB has announced it will be incorporating Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into its water bottle and is the first UK supermarket to make this change.

Appearing in store throughout July, Lidl’s 1 litre San Celestino Italian Sparkling Mineral Water bottles will contain a minimum of 30% Prevented Ocean Plastic™,  plastic which would otherwise have ended up in the ocean.

With 12 million bottles of the everyday item sold annually, this initiative is expected to save nearly 100 tonnes of plastic from entering our oceans annually, per year, equivalent to almost 4 million plastic water bottles.

The move builds on Aldi's previous efforts in being green. Lidl has been leading the way since 2020, when it became the first UK supermarket to introduce food packaging using Prevented Ocean Plastic™. 

Since then, it's been rolled out across a range of Lidl’s own-brand fresh fish, breaded poultry, sausage and fresh fruit products, meaning Aldi's already prevented the equivalent of in excess of 15 million plastic water bottles from entering the ocean.

Doubling down on their commitments, Lidl is also taking steps to improve the recyclability of its plastic. Last year, the discounter transitioned its semi-skimmed fresh milk with supplier Müller over to clear caps from coloured.

Over the next two months, in partnership with both Müller and Cornish Farm, it's transitioning its entire milk range to clear caps.

The rollout of colourless milk caps this year will support industry wide retention of 4000 tonnes of bottle top material to be used again within the food sector.

Shyam Unarket, who is the Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl GB, said:  “Ocean plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern, it is expected that by 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish. 

"As pioneers of integrating ocean bound plastic into our packaging in 2020, we have been consistently building and improving on our efforts since, and are proud to now extend Prevented Ocean Plastic™ into water bottles. Through this latest product development, we hope to inspire wider efforts across the industry.”

Prevented Ocean Plastic™ packaging, supplied and developed in conjunction with Bantam Materials, is made from discarded water bottles found in Southeast Asia within 30 miles of a coastline or major waterway that feeds into the ocean. This waste is then sorted and processed before being used in packaging. The entire process is fully traceable with a robust documented chain of accountability.

https://www.aldi.co.uk

Peanut Butter whiskey liquor launched at Aldi

At a mere £12.99, clever Aldi shoppers can save 43% when compared against the alternative brand Sheep Dog.

It will be available in Aldi stores from 29th June. The latest addition to Aldi’s award-winning line-up offers a unique and joyful take on an Irish classic. 

Boasting the comforting and delicious taste of peanut butter with the complex flavours of a classic aged whiskey, this is a deliciously nutty tipple that is both smooth and also sweet.

Smart shoppers might spot similarities to the popular Peanut Butter Whiskey brand, Sheep Dog. However, with savings of up to 43%, whiskey fans will be running, not walking to Aldi to stock up on their new favourite tipple!

Incidentally if you have never tried any peanut butter whiskey, may I suggest that you nip into your nearest Aldi branch and buy a bottle or two? Incidentally, my favourite way of drinking this is served over ice and with a strong ginger beer, such as Old Jamaica.

Co-op expands Goose Island partnership with launch of two frozen pizzas

The Co-op has announced it's set to expand its popular Goose Island frozen food range with the launch of two new exciting pizza flavours, taking the total number of products in the collaboration to a magnificent seven.

New additions to the bar snacks range include a Double Pepperoni Pizza (515g) and BBQ Cheese Feast Pizza (510g), which have both been developed with the bold American flavours from Goose Island’s IPA to enhance the takeaway style home dining experience with authentic Italian cooking methods.

A testimony to Co-op’s commitment to high-quality produce, the pizzas are actually made in the heart of Italy, hand-stretched with 24hr leavened dough and baked in a traditional wood-fired oven, thus ensuring a light and airy crust. 

Comprising of a deep pan pizza base topped with Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce, the Double Pepperoni Pizza is nicely finished off with mozzarella and pepperoni pieces whilst the Cheese Feast Pizza combines mozzarella, Emmental, provolone and Italian hard cheese.

Targeting foodie customers who are seeking out quick and easy dinner solutions, the new pizzas are an ideal match for the brewery’s beers which includes Goose Island IPA Single Can (330m) and Goose Island IPA Cans (4 x 330ml). The pizzas also join the existing line-up of Goose Island snacking SKUs which launched back in 2021 and are infused with the brewery’s iconic award winning IPA. The five “finger-food favourites” includes: onion rings, halloumi fries, mac ‘n’ cheese bites, chilli cheese bites and loaded fries.

Rebecca Oliver Mooney, who is the Head of Commercial at Co-op, said: “We’ve seen a phenomenal response to our bar snacks collaboration with Goose Island and the new pizzas are the perfect way to add innovation to the popular range as they continue the food and beer pairing.

“We are focused on providing our members and customers with convenient solutions, so we’re confident our members and customers will buy into the range even more so with these new additions which provide shoppers with a complete ‘fakeaway’ range to conveniently cook up at home."

Olivia Moore, Goose Island Brand Manager said: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing this new addition, which gives consumers the opportunity to perfectly match their pizza and beer. The Goose Island IPA BBQ sauce is infused with our award winning IPA, the flavours from which bring something really special to the range.”

The pizzas are available now in the frozen food section across 816 Co-op stores and online at shop.coop.uk, priced at £3.75 each.