News on Food Trends from United Kingdom

April 23, 2010

Wright Machinery Ltd offered for immediate sale

Wright Machinery Ltd, a manufacturer of Food processing and packaging equipment located in the United Kingdom, is offered for immediate sale by its administrators, Wyles Hardy and Co. Wright Machinery Ltd is a subsidiary of PPM Technologies Inc. In t...

April 08, 2010

Rob Clayton appointed Director of Potato Council

Dr Rob Clayton has been appointed Director of the Potato Council, a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), following a two month spell acting as the interim director of that division.Dr Clayton has over 20 years experien...

March 30, 2010

Excess supply hits potato prices

Potato growers should examine the market carefully before planting large acreages this spring, as they tisk oversupplying the market and depressing prices. Last season's poor prices came about as a direct result of over-supply, latest figures from the...

March 17, 2010

Sales of 'Lazy' Foods on the rise

To many, peeling potatoes is a boring way to spend a few minutes that you would rather spend reading a book, watching a film or with your family. Speak to a retailer like Waitrose, which has a varied range of "lazy food"and cooking "ch...

March 16, 2010

UK Potato growers to pay higher levy rate

Defra has approved the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB)'s proposed levy rates for growers for the next financial year - from 1 April 2010 until 31 March 2011. Potato growers will see an increase of £1.17 - from £39.00 to £40.17 ...

March 05, 2010

Chips (French Fries) still dominant potato serving in UK Foodservice

According to the Potato Council report Behind the Menu - Potatoes in Foodservice, potatoes, in one form or other, are served with 45% of meals eaten out of home and sales are estimated to be worth £2.51b. It identifies chips (french fries) as the domin...

March 04, 2010

FSA suggests chip shops to cut thicker chips (fries)

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a project in 80 fish and chip shops across the country aimed at making their food healthier. Officials want fryers to increase the size and thickness of their chips because chunkier versions absorb less fat ...

March 01, 2010

UK retailer Marks & Spencer commits to sustainable products

Marks &Spencer (M&S) announces a programme to be the world’s most sustainable retailer by 2015, launching 80 major new commitments under M&S’ eco and ethical plan, Plan A. The new commitments will mean we ensure all M&S products becom...

February 22, 2010

International attention for British seed potatoes at Fruit Logistica

The Potato Council (PCL), a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), recorded 100 international enquiries about seed potatoes at their exhibit at this year’s record breaking Fruit Logistica exhibition (February 3rd to 5th...

February 19, 2010

UK Baker Warburtons re-enters the bagged snack market with new range

Pubs will have the opportunity to stock a completely new range of bagged snacks next month when Warburton, the Bolton-based baker, launches two new products. The baker, which began making kettle chips three decades ago but quit the snack game five ye...

February 17, 2010

Greenvale AP reveals plans to install wind turbine at Fenland factory

Potato supplier Greenvale AP has revealed plans to install a wind turbine at its factory in Fenland.Plans have been submitted to Fenland District Council for a temporary 60-metre tall wind mast at the Flood's Ferry factory, near Doddington.A spokesman...

February 16, 2010

Plimsoll: Acquisition opportunities in the UK potato sector

According to Plimsoll Publishing Ltd, the UK’s leading financial research company, 43 of the top 264 businesses in the UK Potatoes industry are woefully exposed to being snapped up as a “bargain acquisition”. Their research suggests companies that have...

February 13, 2010

Second round bids for Kettle Foods brings sale closer

The Telegraph reports a number of food groups are thought to have lodged bids for the whole group – which delivered sales of £150m in 2008 – or just the UK or US assets, which are each worth roughly half of the combined value.United Biscuits, which has...

January 29, 2010

BBC: Time to rethink the potato?

The Potato Council is trying to garner support for its campaign to reclassify the tuber as a "supercarb"- recognising its "unique dual identity"as both carbohydrate and vegetable.A petition is being put to Downing Street asking for ...

January 28, 2010

Front of pack Nutritional labeling: People's view on food labels

The Food Standards Agency has published the latest report of people's views on food labels and their awareness and understanding of front-of-pack nutrition labelling. This is part of a nationwide series of 'citizens' forums' set up to establish a dial...

January 28, 2010

Potato Council represents UK seed potato suppliers at Fruit Logistica

Increased overseas demand for British-grown seed potatoes has drawn the Potato Council from Britain, one of the biggest seed-exporting countries in the world, to represent exporters at Fruit Logistica 2010.

January 21, 2010

'Grow your own potatoes': over 10.000 primary schools have signed up

Grow Your Own Potatoes, the largest primary school growing project from the UK potato industry, is well on its way to smash targets for 2010!Over 10,000 primary schools have already registered at www.potatoesforschools.org.uk to take part in the scheme...

January 21, 2010

Spuds we like: Why potatoes are flavour of the month

Something special is going on in London tonight, with a buzz already building around a new designer product to be unveiled in the witching hour. Restaurateurs, chefs and fashion-conscious foodies will be among those jostling for sizzling fare prepare...