WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR FOOD & DRINK RETAIL AND SUPPLY STORIES RECENTLY COVERED BY THE GROCER.
Tom Parker unveils retro unhomogenised whole milk with ‘cream top’
The NPD is described by the brand as a ‘nostalgic nod’ to how milk would be sold on the doorstep. Read more>>
UK border strategy ‘failing’ warns Efra Committee report
A new report, published by the Commons Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee, has warned the Border Target Operating Model is flawed. Read more>>
School meals expansion ‘a chance for £600m farm boost’
A report claims the surge in demand from the schools sector could unlock huge investment in British farming. Read more>>
Rainforest Alliance unveils new regenerative agriculture standard
Initially available only for coffee, the Rainforest Alliance said it planned to expand the certification to other crops including cocoa, citrus and tea throughout 2026. Read more>>
Farmfoods slammed for abandoning cage-free eggs commitment
The Humane League called Farmfoods’ decision a ‘betrayal of animal welfare standards’ and has launched a petition in response. Read more>>
Chase family revives farmhouse distillery with Rosemaund single malt whisky launch
Distilling will resume at Rosemaund Farm in 2026. Read more>>
Food inflation hits highest levels since January 2024
It is the fifth month in a row that food prices have climbed, with increases for vegetables, cheese and fish, the Office for National Statistics reported. Read more>>
Hospitality jobs losses projected to hit 111,000 by budget
UKHospitality said the lowering of the employer NICs threshold had been the most ‘damaging’ to the sector. Read more>>
Drought set to continue despite recent rain, government warns
The month’s rainfall was 42% of its long-term average and the summer has been declared the hottest since records began in 1884. Read more>>
Poor pay prevents young people joining food and drink industry
More than a third of people aged 16 to 25 said they believed the sector was poorly paid, and over a quarter admitted a career in the industry would disappoint their parents. Read more>>
Major campaign launches to get Brits eating more beans
The project comes with figures showing just 4% of adults eat enough fibre and only 17% of adults eat their five a day. Read more>>
Whole Foods Market UK losses total more than £200m
Whole Foods Market has posted another large loss in the UK as sales declined 7% last year on the back of store closures. Read more>>
Seasonal Worker scheme operator slams government in fresh legal challenge
Ethero has requested permission to appeal its challenge to the government following its loss in the High Court regarding the suspension of its operator licence in April 2024. Read more>>
Food safety and hygiene enforcement on the brink amid manpower crisis
New figures reveal ‘dangerously low’ levels of manpower for food hygiene and safety inspections. Read more>>
Almost a quarter of UK farmland could be lost to other industries by 2050, study warns
Self-sufficiency could collapse under current government environmental and net-zero policies, warned the report. Read more>>
UK woefully exposed to illegal meat smuggling, damning Efra Committee report warns
The threat to the UK of a ‘major’ animal disease outbreak was very real, warned MPs on the committee, with gaping holes in the UK’s protection. Read more>>
M&S calls for government increase proportion of British food eaten in Britain
M&S Food MD Alex Freudmann said national food security was ‘under pressure like never before’ as Britain became ‘less and less self-sufficient’. Read more>>
Renée Elliott steps back from Planet Organic after ‘fantastic’ turnaround
Elliott’s ‘planned’ departure comes after the business enjoyed ‘really strong growth’ following its revival from administration. Read more>>
Meat prices will be driven up further by drought, industry warns
A lack of grass growth caused by the hot and dry summer months has meant farmers are having to buy in feed or use winter feed earlier. Read more>>
Groceries Code Adjudicator ‘not fit for purpose’, farming groups tell MPs
Food businesses and farming campaigners met a group of MPs and peers at the House of Commons yesterday to discuss calls for a single, central regulator. Read more>>
Fortnum & Mason reveals winners of challenger brand discovery scheme
Ten winning small producers including Crwst, Gingerbread World and Umami Bros will be stocked by the retailer. Read more>>
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