http://www.freshinfo.com The latest news and statistics on the UK fresh produce industry from the publishers of the FPJ (c) 2009, Lockwood Press Ltd. All rights reserved. http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48951 The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has unveiled a selection of the best ideas that could help transform the UK into a sustainable society in its new Breakthroughs for the 21st Century project, to promote community gardening and local food. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48951 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=49001 The future direction of major Herefordshire business S&A Produce will be decided this week as a result of crucial planning decisions. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 15:58:38 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=49001 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48932 Almost 3,000 Essex primary schoolchildren have enjoyed the county’s schools food and farming day. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 13:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48932 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48961 The new minister of state for farming and the environment, Jim Fitzpatrick, has backed markets throughout the UK in leading the country out of the recession. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 12:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48961 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48949 The launch of the Scottish government’s National Food and Drink Policy should mark the start of renewed steps to strengthen retail-supply relations and clarity on labelling, according to Scotland’s farming union. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 11:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48949 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48981 The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has written to the Competition Commission expressing concern about flaws in the proposed code of practice for supermarkets. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 10:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48981 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48975 The Potato Council is to get a new director following the appointment of Sandra Ziles this week. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 09:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48975 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48970 Bristol Fruit Sales has extended its Growfair brand from Cornwall into Devon as part of its long-term strategic plan to create premium regional offers. Thu, 2 Jul 2009 08:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48970 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48977 A trade union group has attacked Tesco over its treatment of workers in its overseas stores. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:01:53 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48977 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48968 Marco van Leeuwen has today officially joined the board of directors of vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan in De Lier. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 15:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48968 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48976 The new EU Marketing Standards allowing the sale of misshapen fruit and vegetables comes into force today. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:40:21 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48976 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48962 Musgrave Retail Partners GB has completed the rebranding to Budgens of the 13 stores it acquired from the Co-operative Group earlier this year. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48962 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48929 COLEACP’s Pesticides Initiative Programme (PIP) has conducted an assessment to consider the potential impact of changes to pesticide legislation in the EU on smallholders in ACP countries. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 11:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48929 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48972 Jack Cross, one of the fresh produce industry’s most renowned characters, died at the age of 97 on June 21. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:51:03 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48972 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48971 Trade body Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed an announcement from the minister of agriculture putting to rest any suggestion that the single-desk marketing model used by the kiwifruit industry is under threat. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:11:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48971 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48924 Almost a third of the fresh produce industry is performing strongly despite the recession. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 10:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48924 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48967 Marks & Spencer has reported its best quarterly performance for two years today, returning better-than-expected sales figures. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:19:27 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48967 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48957 The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) has prepared a first draft of its response to the Gangmaster’s Licensing Authority’s (GLA) Supermarket Protocol. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 09:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48957 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48958 Key players in the top-fruit industry met at the House of Commons this week to celebrate the bicentenary of the Bramley apple and look at ways to increase consumption of the fruit. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 08:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48958 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48963 The Co-operative Good with Food team has been touring the UK and were joined by importers Capespan at the three day Royal Highland Show last week. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:02:52 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48963 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48896 The demand for timber pallets and packaging continues to be weak, but there are signs that the bottom of the market may be in sight, according to the Timber Packaging and Pallet Confederation (TIMCON). Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48896 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48904 The British Crop Production Council has announced the appointment of Professor Graham Jellis to its board of management. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48904 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48895 Transport refrigeration specialist Thermo King has launched a full multi-temperature range based on its SLX concept. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48895 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48954 Morrisons is launching a Farming Programme focused on research to help improve the efficiency and sustainability of British farming, in partnership with agricultural colleges and the National Farmers' Union (NFU). Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48954 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48956 The Forums at Fruit Focus 2009 will tackle the downturn in consumer spend, carbon footprinting of Britain’s orchards and adding biopesticides to extend the active ingredient range available to fruit growers. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48956 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48921 An increasing number of growers and farmers believe the credit crunch is hitting their business, according to a National Farmers Union survey. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48921 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48952 Monitoring carried out by the independent Pesticide Residues Committee has confirmed that fresh produce supplied to schoolchildren as part of the School Fruit & Vegetable Scheme is consistently safe to eat. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48952 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48953 Prepared salad specialist Florette is set to hit the nation’s TV screens on Wednesday with a new £2 million advertising campaign designed to showcase the brand’s ‘fresh-er-ness’ credentials, and capitalise on this summer’s ‘staycation’ season. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:01:01 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48953 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48912 Brazil will host the inaugural Fruit and Log international trade fair for fruit and related products in São Paulo on September 8-10, at Expo Center Norte. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48912 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48900 As part of an initiative to help create enthusiasm and healthy eating, St Joseph’s School in Christchurch, Bournemouth, came up with the Funky Food and Healthy Eating campaign and asked Coastline Produce to get involved. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:01:02 +0100 http://www.freshinfo.com/index.php?ei=9&s=n&ss=nd&sid=48900