All articles by Michael Barker – Page 3
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NewsShoppers want to see more local food but won’t pay more
Consumers are not willing to pay more for locally produced food despite wanting it to be more readily available, a new survey for The Grocer has indicated.
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NewsFish fingers fall out of favour as prices go up
Volume sales of fish fingers and fishcakes are falling as higher prices and fewer promotions hit consumption levels.
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News
Muslims up in arms over ‘misleading’ halal labels
Up to three quarters of the poultry labelled as halal is not in fact halal, leading producers have warned. Approximately three-quarters of poultry and a small volume of beef and lamb sold as halal in the UK are slaughtered by machine...
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News
Fall of British Seafood may taint UK industry
The reputation of the entire UK fishing industry could be damaged by the collapse of British Seafood, trade sources have claimed.
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News
Tagging boosts local appeal of fish caught off south east coast
A new initiative aimed at improving the traceability and consumer understanding of fish has been launched in the south east.The South East Food Group Partnership has developed a tagging scheme, in which fish caught in the region are...
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News
Kendall re-elected NFU president for third term
Peter Kendall has seen off a challenge from Somerset farmer Derek Mead to secure a third term as president of the National Farmers' Union.Kendall claimed over 75% of the vote at the union's agm this week, with deputy Meurig Raymond also...
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News
Rachel’s introduces new pouring yoghurt range
Rachel's has launched what it claims is the UK's first mainstream pouring yoghurt in a bid to reinvigorate both the organic and natural yoghurt sectors.Rachel's Pouring Natural Yoghurt comes in a 400g pot with a spout, and has a texture...
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News
UK dairy sector is in rude financial health says DairyCo report
The UK dairy industry has been given a clean bill of financial health but farmers are being urged to demand more information on their milk buyers' strategies to ensure long-term profitability.DairyCo published its Company Performance...
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News
Landmark code ends pork origin confusion
Meat industry bodies are confident a new code of practice for pork labelling will be a success after leading retailers signed up to support it.The industry agreed a voluntary new labelling code of practice this week under which retail...
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News
British Seafood Group falls victim to trade credit woes
The credit crunch has claimed another major casualty the £324m British Seafood Group, which has fallen into administration. Deloitte was appointed administrator for the company, a fish supplier to manufacturers and the foodservice...
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News
McCracken named Branston chairman
Guy McCracken, the former CEO of food retail at The Co-operative Group, has been named as the new chairman of potato supplier Branston, replacing outgoing chairman Chris Howard.McCracken spent seven years as chairman of Duchy Originals...
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News
Scots producers develop lower-fat and salt bacon
A new 'healthier' bacon that contains much less salt and fat than traditional bacon has been developed by Scottish producers.The bacon, which has 25% less salt and 20% less fat, has been created as part of a Quality Meat Scotland and...
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Analysis & Features
The Grocer Price Index: As prices start to slide again, will inflation be short lived?
Supermarket prices have fallen 0.7% since last month, thanks to lower prices pretty much across the board, say Alex Beckett and Michael Barker
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News
Florette sets out stall to be as big in fruit as salad
Florette has outlined ambitious plans to become as big in prepared fruit as it is in bagged salad.The branded fresh produce specialist, which launched its first six prepared fruit lines in November following its acquisition of Salads To...
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News
Reports of dairy industry’s demise may be premature
John Craven warned this week of a “long drawn-out death” for UK dairy. But Nocton Dairies is not alone in being more optimistic. Michael Barker reports
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News
Apple prices shoot up as EC supplies tighten
Apple prices are rising sharply in the wake of lower volumes of fruit coming on to the market.
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News
One-stop Shop for cream of the community’s Crop
An entrepreneur is promising to revolutionise the way local food is sourced and make it more widely available to consumers.
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News
Arla elbows in on milk supply at Sainsbury’s
Arla has underlined its growth ambitions by winning its first share of Sainsbury's milk business.
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News
Organic goes all out to ditch posh-only image
Organic producers hope to boost sales by millions of pounds this year by going more mass market and persuading 'dabblers' to buy more frequently.
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News
Retail Prices: Deals and supply issues push down price of fresh produce
The price of The Grocer's fruit and veg basket is down 10% year-on-year as oversupply reduces the cost of peppers, cucumbers and apples. Michael Barker reports