Starting a business is an exhilarating experience – but also a tad nerve-wracking. It can involve leaping into the unknown. The most valuable lessons are often learned the hard way, but wouldn’t it be great to get advice from food founders. In our Food Founders Interview podcast, we dive into the stories of remarkable entrepreneurs who have started and scaled their food and drink businesses. We often ask them what advice they wish they could have given themselves at the start. The podcast is a great place to go if you’re looking for inspiration and insight. “Trust your gut.” Hunter & Gathe ..read more

The Free From Food Awards (FFFA) are dedicated to free-from food and drink products and innovation. Now in its fifteenth year, the distinctive yellow logo is coveted by producers of free-from products and noticed by retailers and allergy-aware consumers alike. The awards pride themselves on supporting, promoting and encouraging new allergen-free product development. In a recent Food Founders Interview, we delved into the origins and growth of these awards, gaining valuable insights from the founders, Cressida Langlands and Nicki Clowes. How the awards started The Free From Food Awards originat ..read more

The journey from home kitchen to retail listings is one that most food founders want to make. In a recent Food Founders Interview, we learned about the remarkable success of Oatsu with founder Lauren O’Donnell. Lauren left her corporate job to take the plunge and make her idea for ready-prepared, plant-based overnight oats a reality. Overnight oats have soared in popularity globally in recent years, and Lauren has hit the sweet spot. The brand has smashed its funding target on Seedrs and has just launched in Holland & Barrett stores across the UK. From home kitchen to Holland & Barrett ..read more

Foodservice might be an excellent route to market for your food or drink products. There are more than 350,000 foodservice outlets in the UK – restaurants, pubs, canteens, hotels, stations, services, and plenty more. This vast landscape offers an immense platform for food and drink brands. But it’s not just about having a mouthwatering product; there’s a whole strategy behind breaking into this dynamic sector. Often overlooked, foodservice is a pivotal sector, especially for startup brands venturing into the market. While it may be easily disregarded, some clients have achieved remarkable succ ..read more

According to the Association of UK Dietitians (BDA), cow’s milk allergy (CMA) affects 2-3% of infants and young children in the UK. CMA occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly reacts to proteins found in cow’s milk. Allergies in babies can be difficult to live with and treat. This life-threatening challenge is one that Amy Langfield, founder of Grow with Iris, faced when her daughter (Iris) was born with multiple severe allergies. In the Food Founders Interview podcast, Amy explained how this experience led her to embark on a fascinating journey as the founder of a unique free-from and ..read more

In recent years, the landscape for small and medium-sized food manufacturers has been fraught with challenges. However, fresh research reveals that small food businesses played a pivotal role in driving innovation, while their larger counterparts took a more cautious approach. According to the recent “Race for Resilience: Innovation Pacesetters” report by research firm Circana, SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprise) manufacturers in Europe took the lead by launching 75% of all new products last year. Their agility and responsiveness in shifting market dynamics proved to be critical assets. Th ..read more

In the latest episode of our ‘Food Founders’ podcast series, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Jared Spencer of Riddim Snacks, a brand making waves in the world of Caribbean-inspired vegan and free-from snacks. Jared shared the stories behind his innovative range of snacks, his inspirations, and how he’s created an award-winning brand of ‘free from’ snacks with punchy, authentic flavours. His snacks have not only captured taste buds but have also received some highly respected seals of approval. The secret ingredient? Food that tells a story. Founded in 2022, Riddim Snacks draws its ins ..read more

For food and drink businesses that want to scale up and succeed in supermarkets, understanding how to approach retail is key. There’s much more to it than having a great product. A solid strategy and knowledge of the retail landscape is essential, from targeting the right stores to pitching to managing logistics. Our latest webinar, presented by Rachel Way, Head of Retail at Product Chain, explores how to get listed with major retailers. Drawing from her vast experience, Rachel shares valuable insights that can benefit any food and drink business seeking to partner with supermarkets and multip ..read more

In the face of skyrocketing living costs, we’re seeing a shift in consumer behaviour, with many opting for more affordable brands or cutting spending on non-essentials. According to a recent report published by McKinsey, 81% of Brits have altered their shopping habits in some form to cope with the financial strains caused by the cost of living crisis. Among various age groups, the McKinsey report shows that Millennials and Gen X-ers are particularly feeling the pinch, with almost two-thirds of each group looking to purchase fewer goods and services due to rising prices. A sentiment shared by 5 ..read more

The ‘beauty from within’ trend has emerged recently for people seeking health and well-being through products that deliver health benefits for skin, hair and more. According to recent research by InsightAce Analytic, the ‘beauty from within’ market was valued at $3.29bn globally in 2021 and is predicted to reach $8.30bn in 2030. This growth is partly due to the rise of ‘clean label’ and natural, plant-based ingredients. Consumers are increasingly on the lookout for products that are free from harmful synthetic ingredients and chemicals. For more information about developing product with specif ..read more