WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR FOOD & DRINK RETAIL AND SUPPLY STORIES RECENTLY COVERED BY THE GROCER.

GrowUp Farms bags £38m investment to meet demand for vertically farmed salads
The cash will help GrowUp expand capacity at its vertical farm in Kent, support the Unbeleafable and Fresh Leaf Co brands, and drive R&D at the Leaf Lab site in Cambridge. Read more>>

Fortnum & Mason launches new tea subscription delivery service
The new service offers three subscriptions for top-ups of Fortnum’s biscuits, teas and jam. Read more>>

M&S cuts chicken stocking densities in latest animal welfare commitment
The move takes the retailer closer to meeting the full requirements of the industry-wide Better Chicken Commitment. Read more>>

Love Cocoa to make bricks & mortar debut with first shop near Oxford Street
Founder James Cadbury has made no secret of his ambition to rival other premium chocolatiers on the high street. Read more>>

Tesco announces methane-reducing feed trial for dairy cows
The supplement works by suppressing the enzymes responsible for producing methane, leading to a reduction in the amount of methane produced. Read more>>

Farming sector welcomes recommendations on Seasonal Worker scheme
The review found there was a clear need for a Seasonal Worker scheme in the short to medium term. Read more>>

Government to introduce standalone offence for attacking shopworkers
Retailers and trade bodies have welcomed the announcement, calling it a “crowning moment” for shopworkers who continue to suffer record levels of abuse and violence every day. Read more>>

Aldi cuts chicken stocking densities in latest supermarket animal welfare move
The retailer will complete the switch to the 30kg/sq m stocking density by October. Read more>>

Dimbleby set for return to advise government on health and environment
Labour set out plans in the King’s Speech yesterday, including proposals to restrict the advertising of junk food and ban the sale of energy drinks to children. Read more>>

Big meat and dairy firms accused of ‘derailing’ climate action
Some of the world’s largest food businesses have been accused of adopting the same tactics as big oil and tobacco companies on climate action. Read more>>

Labour more focused on food industry than Tories, claims IGD report
The ‘New government, new direction?’ report says Starmer will bring in policies to tackle the “everyday” economy. Read more>>

Dozens of tonnes of fake olive oil confiscated by Italian authorities
The authorities have confiscated 42 tons of faux extra virgin olive oil worth €900,000. Read more>>

North Star and Kantar launch insights platform for challenger brands
Called Illuminator, the platform is designed specifically for ‘time-poor’ founders. Read more>>

Horticulture sector calls for pause on new rules costing £90m per year
The Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex) announced that changes would be coming into effect on all audits after 10 September. Read more>>

Morrisons launches farmer skills project in bid to cut carbon
The retailer has partnered with professional body The Institute for Agriculture & Horticulture on the project. Read more>>

New Defra secretary Reed unveils five key priorities
Streatham and Croydon North MP Reed held the shadow environment secretary brief in opposition. Read more>>

Calls for UN report on meat consumption impact to be retracted
The FAO’s flagship Pathways report on agrifood emissions has faced serious backlash. Read more>>

UK fruit & veg production declines yet again, Defra data finds
The slump in production comes amid a period of significant weather volatility. Read more>>

 

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