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LEAF Unveils ‘Significant Evolution’ of Global Sustainable Agriculture Standard
LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) has launched version 17.0 of its LEAF Marque Standard to strengthen the application of the internationally recognised environmental assurance scheme across diverse farming contexts around the world as adoption grows. Image: LEAF The updates, which come into effect on 5 May 2026, aim to better support producers in addressing some of the most pressing sustainability challenges within global food and farming systems amid ongoing sector cha
gillmcshane
1 day ago
IGD Introduces Guidance To Facilitate Food Business Sustainability
Bakkavor, Greencore, and Samworth Brothers are among six food manufacturers to develop with IGD a new Food Supply Chain Sustainability Framework to drive collaborative progress against seven shared priorities relevant to retailers, manufacturers, and their suppliers. With food supply chain sustainability a “critical imperative”, the framework offers best practice and guidance to better integrate sustainability into businesses, according to IGD (Institute of Grocery Distributi
gillmcshane
1 day ago
Asda Expands Initiative Connecting Students with Careers and World Issues
Following a successful pilot, retailer Asda is expanding its school engagement programme to help more young people develop career skills, discover retail employment opportunities, and make a positive impact in their communities. Image: Asda The second year of the programme is increasing both in size and scope with the aim of building key employability and problem-solving skills across primary, secondary, and college student year groups. Students will be taught leadership skil
gillmcshane
1 day ago
Worker Ill-Health: Employer-Government Partnership To Tackle ‘Avoidable Crisis’
More than 60 employers, including retailers and foodservice operators, are joining forces with the government to stem the rising tide of ill-health that is pushing people out of work, holding back growth, and costing UK businesses £85 billion each year. The joint effort is designed to reshape how health issues and disabilities are managed in the workplace, with the aim of developing a voluntary certified standard by 2029. The partnership will drive action to “prevent ill-hea
gillmcshane
2 days ago
Drought Set To Persist Into 2026 Posing Ongoing Risk For Growers
England must prepare for an ongoing drought in 2026, unless there is significant rainfall this autumn and winter, and further water shortages in the future due to climate change, warns The National Drought Group. Despite recent rainfall, a large part of the country remains in drought as winter approaches following the driest spring in 132 years and the hottest summer since records began in 1884, as declared by the Met Office. Currently, some 41% of England’s reservoirs are le
gillmcshane
2 days ago
Aldi Accelerates Store Openings Over Next Five Weeks
FPC Fresh Awards 2025 winner Aldi plans to open 16 new supermarkets in the run-up to Christmas as part of the discount retailer’s rapid expansion to bring its successful model to further towns and cities across the UK. Image: Aldi The new store locations, which span the nation from Scotland to London, are expected to open their doors between Thursday 6 November and Friday 12 December. The five-week opening schedule forms part of Aldi’s ambitious £650 million commitment for 20
gillmcshane
2 days ago
Chancellor’s Tax Warning Puts Fresh Produce Margins Under New Strain
The fresh produce industry is bracing for potential cost pressures after Chancellor Rachel Reeves signalled that tax rises are likely as the government works to restore fiscal stability. Reeves has made clear that difficult fiscal decisions lie ahead, stating the era of low taxation may be drawing to a close as public finances face increased strain. Why this matters for fresh produce The fresh produce supply chain is already facing sustained cost challenges, including labour
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
Editor’s View: Why Big Data is Making Big Waves in UK Farming
Big data has quietly become one of the most powerful forces reshaping British agriculture. We are no longer talking about a future vision of farms run by algorithms and artificial intelligence. Across the UK, that future is already here, humming away in field sensors, satellite feeds, machinery telematics, herd-monitoring collars and cloud analytics dashboards. And, while the technology itself may feel complex at times, its purpose is refreshingly down-to-earth: Helping farme
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
Morrisons Shines a Festive Spotlight on British Growers
Morrisons has unveiled its Christmas campaign with a spotlight firmly on the growers, farmers and food producers who bring its festive offering to life. Rather than leaning on the traditional mince pie close-ups and glittering table spreads, the retailer’s new 90-second advert champions the year-round effort of the people behind its produce. Titled Making More of Christmas, the film follows British farmers, bakers, fishermen and food makers across the seasons as they prepare
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
3 days ago
Half Of UK Farmers Poised To Quit Amid Mounting Pressures, New Report Warns
Over half of British farmers have considered leaving the industry within the past year, according to a major new survey that paints a stark picture of confidence across UK agriculture. The inaugural “Farmdex” report , published by McCain UK and Ireland, reveals that 51 percent of farmers have seriously contemplated quitting, while 74 percent hold a negative outlook for the future of the sector. Producers cite a combination of escalating financial strain, volatile weather cond
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
4 days ago
Taylor Farms Expands UK Presence with Acquisition of Natures Way Foods
US fresh-produce giant Taylor Farms has acquired Natures Way Foods, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of fresh prepared salads and meals, in a move that strengthens its presence in the British and European fresh-convenience market. Image: NWF California-based Taylor Farms, a family-owned business and major producer of salads, vegetable blends and meal kits, announced the deal at the start of November. The company said the acquisition aligns with its mission to deliver fresh,
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
4 days ago
Police Stop ‘Heavyweight’ Tomato Van Twice Its Legal Limit In Rural Crime Crackdown
A van carrying 6,080kg (13,404lbs) of tomatoes has been taken off the road by police after they discovered it was almost double the maximum legal weight. Image: Cambridgeshire Police Cambridgeshire Police stopped vehicles on the A16 between Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire as part of day-long Operation Chambers which aimed to tackle rural crime. Police said the driver of the van did not have a licence or insurance and a £200 fixed penalty notice was issued. Sgt Tom Nuttall sai
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
4 days ago
Energy Shock Puts UK Salad Growers on the Brink
The UK’s glasshouse salad-vegetable producers are warning of an “existential threat” as energy costs loom large, following the announcement of a 94% increase in electricity network charges scheduled for April 2026. Representatives from the protected-horticulture sector say the looming hike places enormous pressure on an industry already operating on very tight margins. The uplift in network charges threatens to drive some operators to the brink of collapse and could have kno
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
5 days ago
Labour Cuts Raise Fresh Produce Supply Concerns For 2026
UK horticulture will face a tighter labour market in 2026 after DEFRA confirmed a reduction of 2,000 visas under the Seasonal Worker Scheme for the horticulture sector. The department has set the allocation at 41,000 visas for horticulture workers in 2026 , down from 43,000 in 2025. The cut has prompted concern among growers and industry bodies, who warn that labour pressures will intensify ahead of key harvesting windows for fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants. Labour sh
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
5 days ago
Farming’s Laser Leap: German Veg Producer Deploys AI Robot To Kill Weeds, Not Crops
A leading German organic vegetable producer has co-developed an autonomous laser-weeding robot in response to rising labour costs and growing difficulty sourcing seasonal workers. The technology, now nearing commercial rollout, reflects a significant step forward in non-chemical weed control solutions for high-value horticulture. Westhof Bio Group, based in Dithmarschen, Schleswig-Holstein, manages approximately 1,200 hectares of organic vegetable crops and employs around 150
Sarah-Jayne Gratton
5 days ago
Halloween Spending Creeps Up As Pumpkin Popularity Grows
Sales of Halloween-related purchases are rising across UK retailers, farms, and entertainment venues, providing a longer selling period for pumpkins and greater overall marketing opportunities as consumers beyond children embrace the spooky season. As Halloween cements itself as a key occasion for UK consumers, the shopping season is extending well beyond the traditional two-week run-up to the holiday. By the beginning of October, over one million supermarket shoppers had pu
gillmcshane
Oct 30
£5bn Transformative Vision Unveiled for Scottish Horticulture Sector
The Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) has set out its Scottish Environmental Horticulture Manifesto, recommending practical actions that could unlock a £5.1bn economic opportunity for a greener, healthier, and more prosperous country by 2030. Image: HTA – L-R Stan Green, Carolyn Spray (Pentland Plants), Katie Neenan Unveiling the manifesto to members at Pentland Plants near Edinburgh this week, HTA said its proposals would foster greener jobs, healthier, more resilient c
gillmcshane
Oct 30
Thorvald Autonomous Robot Achieves Record Results in US and UK
Saga Robotics has concluded its biggest operational season so far in the United States and the United Kingdom, utilising Thorvald robots across 20% of the UK tabletop strawberry market in 2025 and cementing plans to expand further next year. Image: Saga Robotics Across both countries, the autonomous Thorvald platform for grapevine and strawberries tripled its operational distance compared with the year before; operating 150 robots at 97% uptime which accrued over 200,000 aut
gillmcshane
Oct 30
UK Clamps Down On Illegal Workers Via Right-To-Work Scheme Extension
Businesses operating in the gig economy and those hiring zero-hours workers are set to face stricter regulations under new UK government measures aimed at tackling illegal employment. Through the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill , the government will expand its enforcement of right-to-work checks to verify the legal work status of gig economy and zero-hours workers, including those hired as couriers and contractors in the food delivery and warehousing sectors. The
gillmcshane
Oct 29
Street Food Faces Bleak Future As Sector Confidence Plummets
A stark number of independent street food traders in the UK lack confidence in the future after nearly 9 in 10 businesses raise prices, 71% reduce staff hours, and almost a third cut jobs entirely, according to a new survey. Conducted by hospitality organisation KERB , the poll of over 100 UK street food traders found that only 1% see a strong, viable future ahead for the sector as it grapples with rising costs. KERB says the system is stacked against the very businesses that
gillmcshane
Oct 29
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