Tesco celebrates milestone of 500th electric customer home delivery van

Tesco has cemented its position as the UKs top supermarket when it comes to electric home delivery vans by unveiling its 500th electric van. 

The van will see service at the supermarket’s Sheffield Extra store. This is the first store in Yorkshire to have a fully electric fleet. The store runs 14 home delivery vans, making 2,500 deliveries every week.

Since Tesco introduced its first EV home delivery van back in 2020 in Greater London, the electric vehicles powered by clean green energy have replaced 15 million diesel delivery miles. 

Over 30 Tesco stores and centres are now operating fully electric home delivery vans across the UK, helping improve air quality in urban areas and reducing emissions, too.

Tesco’s fleet of 5,500 home delivery vans deliver to 150,000 customers across the UK every single day. 

As part of its aim to become carbon neutral in the UK by 2035, Tesco is fully committed to operating a fully electric home delivery fleet in the UK by the end of 2030. 

By moving the whole UK delivery fleet to cleaner green electric power, it would be equivalent to taking 22,000 cars off the road each year.

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO UK & ROI, said: “The delivery of our 500th EV home delivery van to our Sheffield Extra store is an important landmark as we move towards a fully electric fleet across the UK by 2030. 

"Making this change will reduce our carbon emissions as a business, improve the air quality for the communities we serve in Sheffield, and help us reach our commitment to be carbon neutral in our own operations by 2035.”

Gill Furniss MP, who is the Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough, said: “It’s great to see Sheffield have a fully electric dotcom fleet, this is obviously brilliant for the local community.

We know moving to electric vehicles can contribute towards improved air quality and it’s great to see retailers like Tesco making investments like this in our city, Sheffield.”

Decarbonisation Minister Jesse Norman said: “Electric vehicles are a key part of the UK's move to a Green growth economy. It is great to see businesses like Tesco embrace this technology to help make supermarket deliveries more sustainable.

“For its part the Government has supported over 40,000 electric vans and HGVs across the UK through the Plug-in Van Grant, supporting businesses and individuals to decarbonise.”

www.tesco.com

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The 2023 edition of the annual World Water Week starts today, Monday, August 21st

The 2023 edition of the annual World Water Week starts today, Monday, August 21st. The core of the event happens in Stockholm, Sweden, with chapters taking place in other countries, with the option to participate in the discussions in Stockholm via a remote link. 

Hereford-based clean water advocacy charity, Hope Spring will be participating in the event remotely on the first day of the week-long event.

Each edition of World Water Week focuses on a topic that, it is hoped, could help solve some of the challenges faced by parts of the world which have challenges accessing safe, clean water. 

The topic this year is centred around how to use technological innovations and new ideas effectively to solve the water crisis in more parts of the world, especially those suffering from acute water shortages.

Hope Spring Water will be discussing the low-tech, affordable water borehole system it's developed with its technology partner to make access to water cheaper and more widely available in the part of Africa where it works. 

The innovative collaboration was partly funded by a donation from the WhatsApp charity greetings ecards platform, which raises money exclusively for Hope Spring.

World Water Week 2023, as with previous events, was organised by SIWI. The venue for this year's event is the aptly named Waterfront Congress Centre in Stockholm, their home city. Participation is free. Water professionals from all over the world are invited to participate free of charge.

To participate in person or remotely, you can register at the World Water Week website. Hope Spring trustee Temi Odurinde who is participating in the event remotely, said: "I'm really delighted that I'll be joining other changemakers in some of the discussions that will take place at this year’s World Water Week." 

He went on to say: "A gathering such as this tends to energise our determination to help solve water access issues; it's also a really excellent networking opportunity, too."  

You can read more about Hope Spring's participation in World Water Week and other water poverty alleviation events on their website http://www.hopespring.org.uk.

The Intriguing Origins of Coffee: A Captivating Journey Revealed by Stanislav Kondrashov

Coffee earned some rather harsh labels like the 'Devil's Brew.' However, when Pope Clement VIII gave it his papal approval, coffee's status soared.

Stanislav Kondrashov, who is a prominent figure in the realm of world exploration, history, and philanthropy, has unveiled a captivating exploration of the history of coffee in his latest article titled "The Intriguing Origins of Coffee." 

This article takes readers on a remarkable and enjoyable journey through time and landscapes, shedding light on the fascinating saga of the world's favourite caffeinated beverage.

In the article, Stanislav Kondrashov delves into the origins of coffee, tracing its remarkable history back to the Ethiopian wilderness, where legend has it a young goat herder named Kaldi discovered the stimulating effects of red berries consumed by his goats. 

According to Stanislav Kondrashov, this delightful fortuitous accident found its way to the nearby monastery, where monks brewed a drink from the red berries, learning that it kept them awake during long sessions of praying.

The narrative unfolds as coffee's allure transcends Ethiopian borders, reaching Yemen in the 15th century. According to Stanislav Kondrashov, this Arabian embrace marked the birth of the globally coveted Arabica beans, and Mocha, Yemen's port city, became the epicentre of the global coffee trade.

 Stanislav Kondrashov states the Arabs recognised coffee's anti-soporific properties and dubbed it 'qahwa' - the deterrent of sleep." 

European shores welcomed coffee beans in the 17th century, sparking controversy and celebration alike.

Stanislav Kondrashov said the drink, viewed with some suspicion, earned labels like the 'Devil's Brew.' But when Pope Clement VIII gave it his approval, the status of coffee soared. 

The rise of coffee houses as intellectual hubs is highlighted, with these establishments referred to as the era's "penny universities."

The article also explores coffee's impact during the colonial era, as European powers sought overseas territories for cultivation. Stanislav Kondrashov sheds light on how coffee became the hub of trade and politics, shaping the destinies of nations worldwide.

Fast forwarding to the present day, the article explores how coffee evolved into a modern beverage of diverse flavours and preparation methods. The rise of specialty coffee shops and the emphasis on sustainable farming methods are significant trends in contemporary coffee culture.

Stanislav Kondrashov's article concludes with a heart-warming toast to coffee's resilience and its role as a connector of cultures and centuries. The article encourages readers to appreciate coffee as a drink, an experience, and a testament to human endeavour.

https://stanislavkondrashov.com

(Image courtesy of Chris from Pixabay)

VOW Nutrition collaborates with Team GB as Official Nutrition Product and Licensee for Paris 2024

VOW Nutrition is immensely proud to collaborate with Team GB in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. And they are pleased to announce that all their products are made in Great Britain.

A spokesman said: "VOW Nutrition is thrilled to be fuelling Team GB as an Official Nutrition Licensee ahead of the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with Olympic medallists Matt Richards and Daryll Neita signed up as athlete ambassadors.

"Swimming star Richards, who was part of Team GB’s gold-medal winning men's 4x200m freestyle relay at Tokyo 2020, and double Olympic bronze-winning sprinter Neita will each be supported by VOW with quality nutrition to fuel their respective journeys towards the Games.

"Team GB and VOW Nutrition are joining forces to introduce a brand-new collection of official product accessories, including co-branded shakers and water bottles, with some exciting new packaging concepts working with VOW’s Informed Sport approved nutrition products."

Launched in Britain in 2019, VOW Nutrition has a track record of working alongside esteemed athletes and leading sporting governing bodies, establishing a reputation as a trusted provider of top-quality, batch tested and Informed Sport Accredited supplements, including creatine, protein, amino acids, and pre-workout items.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Simon Stevens, who is the CEO of VOW Nutrition, said: "We're obviously immensely proud to collaborate with Team GB in anticipation of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. All our products are made in Great Britain, currently available in over 1,400 Boots branches and 758 Holland & Barrett stores. Also, our packaging is produced domestically and is 100% recyclable. We're obviously excited to work with Team GB and we look forward to a successful Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”

Olympian Matt Richards added: "The Paris 2024 Olympic Games is as close as it gets to a home Games, so we anticipate an electric atmosphere. While winning gold in the 4x200m freestyle event in Tokyo was an incredible experience, 

"I'm determined to surpass my previous performance and strive for even more medals in Paris for the team. I am constantly seeking marginal gains, so partnering with VOW Nutrition is an exciting opportunity to explore what we can accomplish together."

https://www.vownutrition.com

Amazon Grocery shopping 12 years later

Back in April 2011 That's News and Drink carried the following item about Amazon: "Amazon now sells food and drink."

This is the link to the story: https://thatsfoodanddrink.blogspot.com/2011/04/amazon-now-sells-food-and-drink.html.

This is the blog post we carried twelve years ago:

"In an exciting new development, the world's most favourite online bookshop, Amazon, have started selling groceries online, too!

But not just any groceries! Visiting the groceries section of the website is pretty much like making a trip across the Atlantic and finding yourself in an American grocery store!

Because Amazon has started selling hundreds of lines that are common (and one or two that are not that common!) in American food stores!

Just some of the lines available are Pop Tarts, Root Beer, American peanut butter, Reeses' Peanut Butter Cups, Fluff, American breakfast cereals, including Lucky Charms, Pop Tarts, Cliff Bars, etc., etc.

"This is great!" said one American. I am stationed in the UK for several months and although British food is OK, we were missing some of the staples of the American grocery store. Now we can buy them in the UK, too!"

But it's not just 'American' foods that are available. Amazon also sells foods for special diets such as gluten free or foods suitable for Coeliacs or vegetarians and some foods from other countries are featured, including South Africa. Plus more snacks and candy than you knew existed!

Amazon also sells a truly stunning range of beers, wines and spirits from around the world."

We have ordered grocery items from Amazon over the years including gin liqueurs, some Scotch, speciality foodstuffs, etc. Also special treats for our parrot!

Over the years the range of available grocery items has rapidly grown and expanded, including organic vegetables, etc.

Whilst some might argue that Amazon doing this is 'wrong' and that it harms local businesses, in many parts of the UK the items that Amazon's grocery department stocks just aren't available locally, if at all.

For example, if you want to try bottles of wine from India good luck trying your nearest "posh" wine merchant! Ours "hasn't heard of Indian wines" (said in a sniffy, condescending tone) and declined to even consider the concept of bothering to find out about their availability. Oh, well. Their loss!

Because a quick search on Amazon brought up the Sula Indian Vineyard's Dindori Reserve Shiraz, 75 cl, which, at £12.33 a bottle, is a reasonable price. 

So here's to the next twelve years of Amazon Grocery deliveries and also to the next twelve years of That's Food and Drink bringing you the latest news about food and drink!

www.amazon.co.uk.

An essential kitchen aid for arachnophobes from Aldi!

Although it isn't really something that one immediately connects in the mind with food, drink and cooking, how many meal preparations have been brought to a, literally, screeching, screaming halt, with the shout of "A spider! Help!"

And yes, spider season is creeping upon us, but fear not, as supermarket Aldi is helping shoppers face creepy crawlies with the return of its popular Spider Catcher (£8.99) device. 

Perfect for arachnophobes and those just wanting to keep their kitchen cobweb free, Aldi’s sell-out household must-have is available to pick up in stores from next week, 27th August. 

Aldi shoppers should scuttle along to their nearest Aldi branch, because as with all Specialbuys once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Returning just in time for Brits to face an influx of creepy crawlies, this nifty gadget measures 60cm, so making it perfect for reaching into nooks and crannies. 

Featuring humane, soft bristles that delicately take hold of insects, this necessity makes it fairly easy to remove pesky spider, bugs and other critters without harming them. Once safely deposited in the great outdoors (IE, the garden!) you can just give the safe, Spider Repellent Spray (£4.99) a spritz to keep them outside. 

100% dairy-free Sheese, the Melting Sheesy Bake

100% dairy-free Sheese is an amazing produce from the Bute Island Vegan Creamery.

As you might be aware, I had to stop eating dairy cheese for health reasons and, whilst browsing through the ever-expanding "Free From" section in Morrison's, I found a ceramic pot of 100% dairy-free Sheese. 

The description drew my attention: a "melting sheeshy bake" with spring onion and garlic flavour.

So, I added it to my shopping trolley and trundled it, plus some crackers and other bit and pieces, to the checkouts.

On the rear of the pack it describes the product as a dairy-free vegan alternative to cheese, a blend of coconut oil and starches.

Cook it in your oven for 20 minutes, give it a bit of a stir, place it back in the oven for a further five minutes.

Then you can share it with friends and family members, or eat it all yourself. Which is what I did!

It's got a really nice cheesy taste to it and goes really well with crackers, roast potatoes, nachos or spread on a piece of freshly baked bread. With a nice vegan spread, or butter. Remember? I'm not a vegan!

You can learn more about the range of products here https://www.buteisland.com.

Next to try? Their Jalapeno and Chilli Melting Sheesy Bake. I've got an idea this will taste equally good, but with a bit of fire in its belly! I'll keep you posted.

Government backs earlier pub opening for pubs during World Cup Final

The Government has encouraged councils in England to allow pubs to open earlier on Sunday ahead of the Lionesses historic World Cup final.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up has written to all leaders of councils throughout England asking them to continue doing everything they can to help every pub landlord or manager who wants to host this historic occasion and support the Lionesses.

While many venues should be able to show the game within their usual pub opening hours, there could well be a few who require additional permission where they'd like to be able to also serve alcohol.

In cases where an application is being rapidly considered to allow a short extension to licensing hours, the government is encouraging local authorities and councils to continue to do everything in their power to complete the process in time, working closely with local police forces.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: "The whole nation is ready to get behind the Lionesses this Sunday in what is England’s biggest game since the year 1966.

I’ve asked councils to do everything they can to help pubs get open earlier on Sunday, so people can come together and enjoy a drink before kick-off for this special occasion."

He went on to say: Kate Nicholls, CEO of UK Hospitality, said: "The nation will be cheering on the Lionesses on Sunday and the next best thing to being in Australia is enjoying the match in the pub or hospitality venue. 

"Many are taking advantage of the fact they can open to encourage people to come out for breakfast or brunch to get ready for this historic match. Demand from fans has been exceptional, with bookings filling rapidly, and there’s no doubt the day will be a huge boost for the sector, potentially delivering an additional £41 million in sales.

"It’s been really positive to work with the Government to ensure everyone can get a chance to join in the celebrations. I’d echo the Government’s support for local authorities taking a pragmatic view to venues opening early to allow people to make the most of this absolutely momentous occasion."

Writing to council leaders, the Levelling up Secretary thanked local authorities for everything they've already done this tournament to support the national team, including flying flags, lighting up buildings and supporting communities to hold screenings.

The Home Office is also writing to police chiefs to encourage forces to work together with local councils to ensure as many venues as possible can participate in this momentous event.

This is part of the government’s commitment to backing British pubs, and follows this week’s announcement of an extension to licensing rules that enabling pubs to continue selling takeaway alcohol without red tape holding them back unnecessarily. 

(Image courtesy of Charles from Pixabay)

Traditional English Breakfast set to be dish of the day

Sunday morning promises to be the biggest breakfast of the year as football fans gather around their TV sets in the hope England can finally bring it home. 

Waitrose shops have stocked up on bacon, eggs, sausage and English fizz ready for the kick off on Sunday morning. Searches on Waitrose.com for ‘brunch’ are already up +54% on the previous week, and that's a sure sign families and friends will be gathering together to cheer on England. 

Searches for their Lion Birthday cake are up +45% this month, compared to last - indicating it’s become a go to treat for all football celebrations. 

Nathan Ansell, Waitrose's Customer Director, said: “All the ingredients for a great brunch will be flying off the shelves quicker than a Lauren Hemp strike. Customers are already looking to celebrate with cooked breakfasts, -and some chilled fizz in readiness for a potential win, too. “We expect Deliveroo and Uber Eats to be busy with enthralled fans unable to tear themselves away from the action to secure their last minute snacks.”

Customers at John Lewis department stores are also getting themselves match ready. Sales of children’s football boots have more than doubled since last week, while sales of TVs have climbed by 25% on last year.

In contrast to 1966 - when an England team last reached a World Cup Final - we expect more people to be watching the final at home with family and friends this Sunday. Fifty seven years ago fewer people owned TVs and customers crowded into their TV departments to watch the big match. An extract from their archives written by one of their Shop Floor Partners in 1966 describes the day in one of their London shops.

"Partners and customers from the elderly and sedate to the Mods (or Rockers)' sat on the floor to watch the World Cup Final in the TV department.... I even chatted to them and collected their lighted cigarette stubs when they asked for Ashtrays.... I suppose it was about a thousand to one that a television set would be sold whilst the match was on...but after about five minutes a SOLD ticket was placed on the top of the set..."’