Recent government data indicates that Scotland is leading the way in nature-friendly farming practices, with organic farmland witnessing continuous growth for six successive years, a trend not mirrored in the rest of the UK. The latest statistics from Defra, covering 2023, show England and Wales are failing to meet demand for organic food and drink despite sales doubling over the past 12 years and growing by almost 5% in the last year. The contrast in growth between Scotland and its neighboring regions is stark. Amidst various challenges encountered by farmers, including uncertainties surroun ..read more

Six months after its launch, All Things Butter, the British butter brand co-founded by chef Thomas Straker and Toby Hopkinson, has successfully completed a seed funding round, raising £2.2 million in investment. This funding, spearheaded by global investment firm Access Industries, comes on the heels of the brand’s debut in major retailers such as Sainsbury’s, ASDA, and Ocado, where it has sold close to 250,000 blocks of butter. The primary objective of this investment round is to facilitate expansion into additional national retail chains and to establish an international supply chain. The ..read more

To tap into the rapidly growing gut health market, sustainable food pioneer Alara Wholefoods has launched two new organic cereal products – Alara Organic Wheat Bran and Alara Organic Oat Bran. The cereals are high-quality, single ingredient products that each offer a complex nutritional profile suited to anyone looking to support their gut microbiome. A growing body of research1 shows wheat bran promotes gut microbiota diversity, and is an effective prebiotic. Similarly, multiple studies2,3 confirm the prebiotic function of oat bran, plus its ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammator ..read more

We are moving towards the year 2030 and, therefore, the goal of reaching 25% of organic agricultural area is increasingly closer on the timeline. To achieve sustainability objectives, betting on ecological production in all its aspects is key, as well as the support and involvement of Administrations and key actors in the sector. This implies not only promoting the production and consumption of ecological products, but also implementing concrete measures and policies that promote their comprehensive development. Among them, the public procurement of organic food in schools ..read more

FREEE, a leading brand in gluten free foods, has announced the expansion of its breakfast cereal range with the introduction Cinnamon Hoops this month. Building on the brand’s strong performance in the ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereal category, the new Cinnamon Hoops offer deliciously crunchy organic maize hoops, toasted with cinnamon.  Made in the UK, without any of the top 14 allergens and no alibi labelling, the new cereals are the ideal choice for shoppers looking for more planet friendly products too, with sustainably grown ingredients and, organic and vegan certification. Clare ..read more

Clipper, Fairtrade’s first and longest-standing tea partner, has announced its debut partnership with Glastonbury Festival. The sustainable tea brand will be the Official Tea Supplier at the iconic five-day event, which attracts crowds of over 200,000 people from across the globe. As part of the partnership, Clipper has released limited-edition Glasto-packs of its Organic and Fairtrade Black Tea (80s, RRP £3.85), with fair pairs of tickets available to win. The packs have been launched exclusively with Co Op, itself a Fairtrade supporter for 30 years. As well as offering hopeful festival ..read more

The elections of the European Parliament between 6–9 June 2024 will mark the beginning of a new EU cycle. Millions of Europeans will vote to elect their representatives in the European Parliament, the EU’s only directly elected institution. Elected Members of the European Parliament will carry citizen’s messages and concerns from a regional, national and European level during the next 5 years. In the next EU cycle they will shape laws that are key for the future of the organic sector, such as sustainable food systems policies or the coexistence of organic and conventional systems (for example ..read more

Made for Life Organics is one of 252 national organisations to have been awarded with a King’s Award for Enterprise. The company has been recognised within the smallest category for this prestigious award, and is one of only 29 businesses to be awarded within the Sustainable Development category. Announced yesterday, The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 include: 161 Awards for International Trade 59 Awards for Innovation 29 Awards for Sustainable Development (of which Made for Life Organics was one) 8 Awards for Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) The King’s Awards for Enterpri ..read more

Ingredients specialist Loryma is expanding its Lory® Crumb portfolio with two new varieties made from rice flour and milk protein. The extruded flakes can enhance both the texture and nutritional profile of instant products such as porridge or pudding. Thanks to excellent swelling properties, the end product has a homemade texture and is ready in just a few minutes, depending on the temperature of the liquid added. The extrudates are available in different variants and can be used on their own or in combination. This makes it possible to achieve targeted nutritional profiles with a focus on p ..read more

London-based start-up, Phizz (www.phizz.co) is celebrating becoming the fastest growing effervescent brand in the UK (Source: Nielsen NIQ), taking on the market dominance of Berocca and sugar-laden energy drinks, tapping into a growing global trend for health hacking through proactive hydration. Phizz is announcing their nationwide launch in ASDA (with their Orange, Mixed Berry and Cherry Caffeine Effervescent Tablets) and Waitrose (with Orange, Apple & Blackcurrant and Cherry Caffeine Effervescent Tablets), priced at £8 per tube of 20 tabs, from April 2024. Phizz is also launching Clip S ..read more