National Fish and Chip Day on 2nd June

The year's largest food awareness day of the year, National Fish and Chip Day, is back for its eighth  year!

On Friday 2nd June 2023 the nation will come together to celebrate this iconic, and still the nation’s Number 1 dish....fish and chips!

In 2023 we want to thank everyone involved in bringing fish and chips to the centre of every community; from the fishers who go in all weathers to catch the delicious fish, and the farmers who grow and harvest the perfect potatoes, to the fish and chip shops and restaurants who take those fresh ingredients and create our family favourite.

National Fish & Chip Day is about giving fish and chips the recognition it deserves as it continues to be one of the most affordable family favourites. Even in the face of their own crippling price rises, the fish and chip industry has adapted to create menus that suit the stretched budgets of customers who are facing this cost of living crises. 

Fish and chip shops are going one step further and are now providing more varied menus to give a wider selection of healthy options as well as the family favourites.

This year members of the public have a chance to win some amazing prizes as many shops across the country will be running an instore competition. Customers can scan a QR code for a chance to win amazing tech prizes worth £1,000 while they wait for their delicious chippy tea to be cooked at their local shop or van.

This is the biggest food awareness day of the year and we would be delighted to help you generate some fabulous features. Get in touch and we can hook (excuse the pun!) you up with fish and chip shops, industry executives, and chefs to create some great content.

The national event is once again being championed and run by the trade organisation, The National Edible Oil Distributors’ Association, who founded National Fish and Chip Day in 2015. As well as continued support from its members, NEODA has been joined by two leading lights in the Fish & Chip industry. 

The Q Partnership, made up of 3 family wholesalers, comprising of Friars Pride, Henry Colbeck and V A Whitley who are major national suppliers, and Middleton Foods, a leading producer and supplier of loved and trusted batter mixes, sauces and breadings. Both sponsors are proud to support and supply Fish & Chip takeaways, restaurants, ‘food to go’ and mobile caterers nationwide.

Gary Lewis, President of NEODA, who represent all the major refiners, key packers and distributors of edible oils as well as suppliers of non-oil products (such as batter mix, sausages, range manufacturers and potato preservatives) in the UK, said, “We are always impressed with the way some shops embrace the day - we love it when they just ‘get it’ and know that the purpose of the day is to celebrate the nation’s favourite dish and, just in case anyone has forgotten about Fish & Chips, re-ignite their love of it on National Fish & Chip Day. 

This PR generates some excellent interest and interaction and consumers often find themselves thinking about Fish & Chips after the day and then revisiting the shops or restaurants for more”.

Ryan Baker, Sales Manager for The Middleton Group said they are extremely proud to be joint headline sponsor for this years’ National Fish & Chip Day. “We have always seen the day as a fabulous way to showcase the amazing product the Fish & Chip industry has and the special people that work so hard to produce it. Now, more than ever, we want to do all we can to help everyone get as much out of the day as possible and to attract new customers to the Nation’s best takeaway.”

Georgina Colbeck (on behalf of The Q Partnership) said “Our 3 family businesses have jointly been supplying Fish & Chip shops across the UK for a combined total of almost 300 years and supporting the industry is in our blood and it’s our passion – to us it’s personal. We know how challenging the past few years have been for everyone so we are putting extra support in to be joint headline sponsors for National Fish & Chip Day. We also want to champion Team Fish & Chips throughout the year to drive footfall and raise awareness of the fantastic food that our industry is producing, especially amongst the younger generation. We’re family businesses supporting family businesses feeding the nations’ families.”

Also involved is Seafood from Norway, from The Norwegian Seafood Council, who work with Norwegian fisheries and aquaculture industries to develop markets for Norwegian seafood. As well as Blakemans, a leading manufacturer of sausage and meat products, returning as sponsors in 2023 and who, along with all the sponsors, would love to see shops who haven’t already embraced the day getting involved. Pukka Pies are also behind NEODA supporting the day.

https://rb.gy/ym9da

Premium cocktail subscription service launches in the UK pledging exclusive partnering with independent artisan distillers

By only working in partnership with these independent artisan distilleries, The Cocktail Consultancy brings a wide range of these high quality spirits.

The Cocktail Consultancy has launched in the UK, offering customers a unique opportunity to explore and make the world’s best known cocktails at home, using the country’s best spirits from independent artisan distilleries.

In each month’s kit customers receive all the ingredients needed to make at least two generous signature cocktails, including garnishes and food pairings, all in an absolutely beautiful gift box.

Each box also contains notes on distillery techniques, the history of the cocktail, how to make it and a link to an online video to walk customers through the process step-by-step.

There’s also the chance to win the monthly Golden Ticket which is hidden in one random kit, allowing the finder to pick between additional products or a distillery tour with the month’s featured distillery.

The UK distillery market has shown rapid growth since 2010 and has boomed with micro-distilleries off the back of the increase in the popularity of gin. More recently new micro-distilleries have launched focusing on other spirits, with a specific popularity in rum.

By only working in partnership with these independent artisan distilleries, The Cocktail Consultancy brings a wide range of these high quality spirits direct to customers’ homes.

The Cocktail Consultancy expertly curates each kit by working with the month’s partner distillery. Unlike other kits on the market there's absolutely no pre-mixing or decanting, ensuring customers get to experience the full authentic products at home.

Learning the different cocktail making techniques from shaking to layering and on to muddling, customers will become home cocktail connoisseurs in no time at all and be able to wow their friends and family with high quality freshly made cocktails with some showmanship to boot.

Based in Berkshire, the Founders of The Cocktail Consultancy pledge: "This is more than just a drink in a box. This is an experience for customers to enjoy."

You'll be able to subscribe at www.cocktail-consultancy.co.uk and you'll receive your first box within 10 days to start your very own cocktail experience journey. Multiple subscription options are available to suit customers, with a rolling monthly subscription for just £34.50 including delivery straight to the customer’s door. High quality barware and glassware are also available to purchase via the website.

Charity says children 'not active enough' to be happy and healthy in response to rising childhood obesity and diabetes

Whilst exercise alone is not the silver bullet solution to this crisis, it's amplified by the fact our children are simply not active enough.

Following new analysis from the NHS showing the numbers of youngsters having treatment for conditions normally seen in middle-aged adults has soared in the last decade, children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust has responded to the news more children now have high blood pressure, knee problems and Type 2 Diabetes.

Alison Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said: "Whilst exercise alone is not the silver bullet solution to this crisis, it's compounded by the fact our children are simply not active enough to remain happy and healthy. 

"There is a compelling evidence base for more play and sport in children’s lives. Unhappy, unhealthy children don’t learn effectively. If children don’t learn, they don’t achieve their potential in life and we don’t have a society fit for the future.

"60 minutes of vigorous activity a day is the Chief Medical Officers’ minimum guidance. Our new research shows that many parents underestimate this amount by 50%. That’s why this National School Sports Week we are urging parents and schools to make the #PledgeToPlay."

The Youth Sport Trust is a top UK children’s charity which aims to improve young people's wellbeing through sport and play. It empowers young people and equips educators to transform lives. Founded in 1995, it works with around 20,000 schools and inspires Changemakers to build a sense of belonging. Its vision is to create a future where every child enjoys the life-changing benefits of play and sport. Visit the YST website for ideas, tips and information www.youthsporttrust.org.

Twitter: @YouthSportTrust         

Facebook: YouthSportTrust        

Instagram: @youthsporttrust   

YouTube: @YouthSportTrust  

LinkedIn: Youth Sport Trust        

TikTok: youthsporttrust  

National School Sports Week is an annual campaign, launched  in 2008 and run by the Youth Sport Trust, to champion the role of PE, physical activity and school sport in allowing all pupils to reach their full potential. 

In 2022 1,359 schools registered to take part, the campaign generated 187 media mentions and over 40m campaign impressions were delivered through social media. This year the week is running from Monday 19 to Sunday 25 June 2023 and is themed around ‘playing for fun, playing for 60,’ with the intention of driving up awareness of the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendation that children should be active for a minimum of 60 minutes a day in order to stay happy and healthy.

By registering, to take part, participants are making the #PledgeToPlay for a minimum of 60 active minutes a day for the whole of National School Sports Week. Schools, families, businesses and supportive partners can sign-up to participate in the campaign at https://www.youthsporttrust.org/nssw

Chief Medical Officers’ physical activity guidelines for children and young people:

The UK Chief Medical Officer recommends that children and young people need to do two types of physical activity each week:

aerobic exercise

exercises to strengthen their muscles and bones

Children and young people aged 5 to 18 should:

aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day across the week take part in a variety of types and intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones

reduce the time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of not moving with some activity.

aim to spread activity throughout the day

Read more about the guidelines on the NHS website here; https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-guidelines/physical-activity-guidelines-children-and-young-people/

(Image courtesy of Peter Stanic and Pixabay)

Today is World Bee Day. Here's how we can all help the bees

Today, on World Bee Day, 20 May, we recognise the important and vital role that bees play in our environment.

Bees are responsible for pollinating many of the world's food crops, ensuring the production of fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are critical to our food supply.

Unfortunately, bees are facing numerous threats, such as habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, and climate change.

According to a United Nations report, over 40% of insect pollinators, including bees, are at risk of extinction in the next two decades.

Fortunately, there are simple steps that everyone can take to help save the bees.

“You don’t need a large garden to help your local bee population,” says Kelly Martin from gardening website Urban Garden Gal. 

“Grow some flowers in containers, plant a flowering tree or replace part of your lawn with clover to give bees a valuable source of food."

Bees are active from early spring until late autumn, so you should consider choosing plants that bloom at different times of the year.

Place some shallow dishes of water with rocks around your garden for thirsty bees to drink from.

Support local beekeepers by purchasing natural honey, beeswax and other bee products.

Avoid using pesticides and chemical fertilisers which can harm bees and other pollinators. Instead, try using natural pest control methods and organic fertilisers to keep your plants healthy and bee-friendly.

Not all bees are social creatures that live in hives. Many bees are solitary and nest in the ground or in crevices. Provide some nesting places like bee hotels or leave a small patch of bare soil in your garden for the bees to nest in.

Kelly adds, “Bees are crucial pollinators for our food supply, and by providing places for them to nest, we can help to ensure their survival and the health of our ecosystem.”

“There is no better way to show appreciation for these amazing creatures than by providing them with a safe place in which they can thrive.”

Top 5 Bee Friendly Plants

Lavender: Lavender is a popular choice among beekeepers and gardeners because it provides bees with a continuous source of nectar from late spring until summer.

Sunflowers: Sunflowers are another favourite of bees. Their large flowers are rich in nectar and pollen, and their bright yellow petals make them easy for bees to spot.

Coneflowers: These tall, colourful flowers are drought tolerant and attract a variety of pollinators including bees and butterflies.

Borage: Borage is a fast growing annual herb that produces an abundance of blue, star-shaped flowers that are highly attractive to bees.

Wildflowers: Planting a mix of wildflowers in your garden is a great way to provide bees with a diverse range of nectar and pollen sources. Bees are attracted to many different wildflowers, including poppies, clover, and cornflowers.

Garden Gardening Bees Environment Home Wildlife Flowers Nature Environment & Nature Home & Garden

You can visit Urban Garden Gal here:- https://urbangardengal.com

(Image courtesy of Myriams-Fotos and Pixabay)

Greene King has raised £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support

Brewer and pub company Greene King has today announced it's raised £1m for Macmillan Cancer Support’s Emergency Grants Appeal, a pledge it made at the beginning of the year.

The funds raised through charity activity in over 1,600 Greene King pubs, hotels and restaurants and across its support centres and breweries could help nearly 3,000 families with financial grants. The money will assist people who are living with cancer manage unexpected or extra costs related to their diagnosis during the cost-of-living crisis.

According to Macmillan 83% of people living with cancer in the UK, that's nearly 2.5 million people, often experience some kind of financial impact from their diagnosis, and for those affected, this can reach an average of £891 a month.

Sal Dunford, 46, from Bolton, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2022 aged 45, and is currently on long-term sick leave. She lives with her husband, who needed to take on a second job to keep a roof over their head,  as Sal’s only income at the moment is a Personal Independence Payment.

When asked about her current financial situation, Sal said: “Ever since receiving my cancer diagnosis the cost-of-living crisis has been relentless. My diagnosis was hard enough and with money worries on top, it’s been really, really difficult. We have no disposable income and had to tighten our belts on food, water, travel and we haven’t been able to turn the central heating on, even when we really needed it.

“When things got tough, Macmillan stepped in and was a real lifesaver, helping me keep my head above water by providing us with benefits advice and a one-off grant. I can’t tell you how helpful this was. I really don’t know where I’d be without their support.”

The charity’s Emergency Grants Appeal provides those living with cancer with practical financial assistance, helping them pay necessary expenses like fuel to get to hospital appointments, or support with food and heating bills, if required.

The number of people with cancer supported by a Macmillan grant in the first three months of 2023  leapt to over 13,000, an increase of 28% compared with the same time last year.

Nick Mackenzie, Greene King's CEO, said, “We’ve been proud partners of Macmillan Cancer support for over ten years now. During that time, we’ve seen some incredible stories of our team members going above and beyond to raise money to support people who are living with cancer.

“This huge fundraising achievement is thanks to the power of all the many smaller donations that happen daily across our pubs, from the £1 dropped into the collection tin on the bar, to the 25p donations that are added at the till, they all add up and really make a difference. It’s no surprise our generous customers and passionate teams have come together once again and raised the £1m in just a few short months."

Claire Rowney who is the Executive Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Innovation, at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We couldn’t be more grateful and proud of everyone at Greene King for raising an incredible £1 million for Macmillan’s Emergency Grants Appeal.

“Macmillan Grants are a lifeline for so many and the funds raised by Greene King will enable us support even more people living with cancer through the cost-of-living crisis.

This is yet again another amazing achievement from Greene King colleagues. I would like to thank them for their phenomenal fundraising efforts and their continued commitment to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer.”

Greene King has supported Macmillan since 2012, raising over £14.5m in the last 11 years of its partnership with the cancer charity.

(EDITOR: It's nice to know that whenever my wife and I visit a Greene King pub or restaurant that we have the opportunity to help raise funds for Macmillan.)

Lidl issues call to all other UK supermarkets to help make fruit and veg more attractive to youngsters

Lidl GB is calling on all other supermarkets to introduce packaging design changes to make fruit and veg appeal more to children.

It issued the friendly challenge after Lidl noticed sales increase by over a third on its specially designed Oaklands Funsize fruit range.

Lidl was the first supermarket to introduce fruit and veg packaging aimed at children, a move aimed at  helping parents and carers encourage kids to eat their five-a-day.

It's also pledged to remove all cartoon characters from packaging of all 'unhealthy' products by Spring next year. 

Lidl was the first British supermarket to introduce a range of healthy products specifically designed to encourage children to eat more greens. The collection comprises of fresh fruit and veg with quirky names and cartoon characters, such as Banana-Llamas and Tawny Tomatowl.

To further engage youngsters, competitions were staged to name and design cartoon characters. The result has been the introduction of numerous memorable characters, including Koala Pears, which led to nearly a quarter of a million additional units being sold the year after the competition ended.

Doubling down on its bid to help children eat healthier diets and aid parents in combating pester power, the discount store announced it will also remove cartoon characters on unhealthy products by Spring next year. 

Over 14 different product categories will be impacted, like sweets, chocolates and savoury snacks, with at least 30 products getting a fresh look, including the discounters Sweet Fruit Chews and Multicoloured Fizzy Belts.

The move follows Lidl’s landmark removal of cartoon characters from cereal packaging back in 2020. The changes mark a significant step in helping families across the UK make healthier choices, after research revealed over two thirds (68%) of parents found child friendly characters on unhealthy food and drink packaging made it more difficult to feed their children a healthy diet.

Peter de Roos, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB said: “Our ambition is to make high quality, healthy food accessible to all, and the principal way we achieve this is through our best value prices.

"But we are also aware that there are other barriers in place, particularly concerning children, and parents tell us unhelpful packaging is one of them. This is something that’s so simple for us supermarkets to change, and our results show the positive impact that these small changes can make." 

He concluded by saying: "We hope other supermarkets follow in our footsteps so that, as a sector, we can be confident we’re doing all we can to support parents in helping to improve the diets of the next generation.”

The announcement follows the publication of Lidl GB’s new Healthy & Sustainable Diets Policy, which aims to ensure diets are healthier, more sustainable and easier to understand to aid customers decision making in-store.

https://www.lidl.co.uk

That's Health: Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Not Just Pain–Shocking List...

That's Health: Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Not Just Pain–Shocking List...: Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Not Just Pain–Shocking List Will Surprise

Tesco cuts price of pasta and cooking oil with thirty products reduced

The cut in prices comes after the retailer announced drops in the price of milk, butter and bread in recent weeks.                                     

Tesco has announced another significant price reduction for a number of store cupboard essentials. Tesco own brand pasta has been reduced by 15p in stores and online, and vegetable and sunflower oil have also been reduced by up to 15p, too.

The reductions come after the supermarket dropped the price of milk, butter, and bread in recent weeks as part of its commitment to provide great value for customers.

As families continue to watch their weekly spend, the retailer will cut the price of thirty pasta and oil products. The price cuts include dinner-time favourites like penne and spaghetti, down to 80p for 500g. Meanwhile a litre of vegetable oil will drop to £1.85.

A spokesperson said: "Tesco will continue to work closely with its suppliers to ensure customers can benefit from the best possible value."

Tesco Group Chief Product Officer, Ashwin Prasad, said: “As we see deflation coming through on key cupboard essentials like pasta and cooking oil, we're pleased to pass on these savings to customers."

“We hope by reducing prices on these thirty products which are bought week-in, week-out, we can help customers spend less."

“So whether you’re buying a branded favourite covered by our price lock, stocking up on essentials from Aldi Price Match, or treating yourself to an exclusive deal with Clubcard Prices – you can be confident of finding great value at Tesco.”

www.tesco.com.

Sainsbury’s launches first store with fully electric delivery fleet

Sainsbury’s Nine Elms London superstore is now using 110% electric delivery vans, providing zero emission deliveries to its customers.

The new 100% electric fleet will make over 2000 deliveries each week on average, saving 57 tonnes of carbon annually.

It's part of the retailer’s commitment to achieving Net Zero in its own operations by 2035.

Sainsbury’s has announced that its Nine Elms London superstore is now delivering to customers using a fully electric fleet. The new electric vans mean customers’ grocery shopping will be delivered with zero emissions.

The Nine Elms delivery fleet consists of 12 vans, with both the vehicle and fridge units now powered by electricity, so they do not emit carbon emissions or dust, dirt, soot, or smoke into the air. This means the 145,000 households in Sainsbury’s Nine Elms delivery area can receive groceries from vehicles which are helping reduce carbon emissions. The new vans will also operate more quietly, helping cut noise pollution.

Sainsbury’s Nine Elms makes over 2,000 deliveries on average, weekly, covering approximately 1,760 miles, so the new 100% electric vans will help save 57 tonnes of carbon every year, whilst contributing to a significant reduction in air pollution in the local area.

The change is part of the retailers’ transition to operating a fully electric fleet in its stores by 2035, in line with its decarbonisation goals. The new fleet will also help Sainsbury’s achieve its commitment to becoming Net Zero in its own operations by 2035.

Patrick Dunne, who is the Director of Property & Procurement at Sainsbury’s said: “We’re always looking at how we can use the latest technology to best serve our customers, whilst also doing the right thing for the planet.

"We’re really thrilled to have launched a fully electric fleet in our Nine Elms superstore and we hope our customers will be delighted to learn their groceries are being delivered with zero emissions, helping reduce the environmental impact of their online shopping. This is just the first step for us, as we have committed to rolling out electric vans across the country to all our stores by 2035.”

This builds on a string of changes the retailer has made to reduce its carbon emissions and energy usage in its own operations. Last year, Sainsbury’s introduced LED lighting across its entire estate, reducing lighting energy consumption by an average of 70%. 

It also announced the launch of Sainsbury’s Innovation Investments, which will see a minimum of £5 million invested over the next four years into start-up businesses commercialising innovative, sustainable technologies that look to reduce operational carbon emissions. Sainsbury’s currently operates with 100% renewable electricity and by the end of 2023 the retailer projects that up to 40% of its electricity will come from new-to-the-planet wind and solar power.

www.sainsburys.co.uk

Sainsbury's opens its most energy-efficient supermarket ever

Sainsbury’s has launched a new green flagship supermarket in Hook, Hampshire, which is projected to use only half the energy of a similar-sized Sainsbury’s store and 25% less electricity than its other most energy-efficient supermarkets.

Combining innovations in construction and engineering to arrive at the design of the new 25,000 sq. ft. supermarket, Sainsbury’s is building on and bringing together an array of energy-saving features that can now be found in other stores across its estate.

A store that is Better for the planet:

Sainsbury’s Hook branch will operate using 100% renewable electricity and won't will rely on any fossil fuels.

It will keep aisles at their optimum temperature using a cold aisle retrieval system, which takes any air that could leave the fridges and displaces it to other areas of the store to keep those aisles cooler. Warm air is then taken from the back of its fridges and re-purposed to heat other sections.

About two-thirds of the energy consumed will be reused by the cold aisle retrieval system.

The store is also part of a new trial that employs doors on chilled cabinets, keeping cold air in and reducing their energy demands by up to 60%. 

Further energy savings have been driven by adding lids on frozen food display cabinets, which work in the same way.

Ambient air door curtains will help to reduce the store’s heating requirements and make customers’ experience more comfortable by counteracting naturally occurring drafts.

The roof features over 700 solar panels, which are expected to provide up to 300 megawatt hours (MWh) of energy for the store annually. 

100% LED lighting has been installed throughout the store, and on the shop floor sensors will enable it to adapt in response to the level of natural daylight so energy won't be wasted.

Sainsbury’s Hook store will contribute to the retailer’s target of becoming water-neutral by 2040 with low-pressure bathroom taps and rainwater harvesting.

The new store will set the standard for future Sainsbury’s Superstores and the retailer will replicate and build on everything that works well from Sainsbury’s Hook store in any new supermarkets it constructs, plus retrofitting its existing estate with the technology wherever possible.

Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Property Director, said: “I’m immensely proud of everyone at Sainsbury’s who have helped deliver what is a ground-breaking new store for us, the learning from which will be used in future store investments. Sainsbury’s Hook is the culmination of many years of innovation, hard work and progress towards a more sustainable future for our business.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the local community for their support and patience whilst we constructed this store, I hope everyone will agree it was worth the wait, not only for the new offer customers can now enjoy but for the progress in store sustainability it represents.”

Ryan Cox, Sainsbury’s Hook Store Manager said: “We've thoroughly enjoyed welcoming customers through the doors of our brand-new store and we look forward to getting to know many of them as we become an integral part of the local community.

“This is a really proud moment for Sainsbury’s as we launch a brilliant new supermarket that puts our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment into sharp focus while serving and helping customers in Hook.”

Ranil Jayawardena, MP for North East Hampshire, said: “I was delighted to open Sainsbury’s newest store today, representing a significant investment into my home village of Hook, and the creation of over 100 new jobs for local people. 

"The new store will provide a healthy boost to customer choice in the area and the fact that it is the most environmentally sound, energy-efficient store Sainsbury’s has ever opened makes it a special addition to the community here.”

Sainsbury’s currently operates with 100% renewable electricity and by the end of 2023 the retailer projects that up to 40% of its electricity will come from new-to-the-planet wind and solar power. The improvements in the store’s efficient energy design are part of Sainsbury’s wider commitment to becoming Net Zero in its own operations by 2035.

Sainsbury’s Hook represents a brand-new shopping destination for customers in northern Hampshire, offering greater choice, quality and value, with thousands of products available to choose from.

Alongside its extensive food offer, Sainsbury’s Hook will offer:

A selection of Sainsbury’s iconic Habitat range, selling modern classics for the home

Tu clothing for all the family via Click & Collect, as well as a stylish beauty proposition

An Argos store inside the supermarket

The store will be an active member of Sainsbury’s Food Donation Programme via Neighbourly, which works to reduce the amount of food waste within its operations and redistribute surplus food to those who need it most.

https://www.sainsburys.co.uk.