Organic pioneer urges for a greener world, post Covid-19

A well-known organic leader has urged for organic food and farming to be at the heart of greener efforts in a post-pandemic world.

Alex Smith, the founder of pioneering organic and ethical food company Alara Wholefoods, made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Ian Wright, the Chief Cxecutive at the Food and Drink Federation (F&DF).

In the interview, he says that the present pandemic should be put into sharper perspective, commenting: “Covid has been terrible in terms of the shocking disruption and dreadful loss of life but climate chaos is going to be much worse, and a much harder thing for us to deal with.

“That’s why gaining a better understanding of the profound climate impacts that food production has is so vital. Food production accounts for around one third of climate change gases, and 10 per cent of all climate change gas on the planet is nitrous oxide, mainly arising from artificial fertilisers. These are absolutely key things that the food industry is going to have to take on board. It’s not just about greening electricity and factories, we need to think about the embedded CO2 in all the food that is being sold.”

Smith points out that organic offers a proven template for sustainable food and farming and he is convinced that sustainable food systems can be a vehicle for transformational change. This is why Alara is fully behind the Grow Back Greener movement.

He added: “There is a real opportunity now for us to go to a really amazing place. It’s not sackcloth and ashes, it’s the next iteration of society.”

Small businesses feel more prepared in second lockdown, data reveals

Two third of SMEs in England have reported feeling more prepared in the second national lockdown, according to new data from Barclaycard.

The research found that business owners knew what to expect going into this lockdown and had made changes to make their company more resilient, with 66 per cent feeling more prepared than the first lockdown. Barclaycard Payments SME Barometer data also found that SMEs across the UK are going online to stay ahead, with just under half increasing their online presence since March 2020; its data shows sustained growth in online payments to SMEs, with e-commerce transactions up six per cent since last quarter

And in encouraging signs, almost three quarters of SMEs are looking to invest in their business over the next 12 months.

The top reasons given for feeling more prepared were mental preparation (36 per cent), the changes they’ve made to their business to make it more resilient (32 per cent), and the Government support in place (14 per cent).

With regard to e-commerce, SMEs are turning to this as a way of recapturing some of the opportunities they’ve missed out on, with just under half (45 per cent) increasing their online presence since March 2020 – with website improvements (67 per cent), putting services online (66 per cent) and social media advertising (64 per cent) cited as the measures which have had the most positive impact.

Barclaycard Payments data show that small businesses are being rewarded for adding the ability to take online payments, with e-commerce transactions at SME merchants up six per cent since last quarter, and up 16 per cent year-on-year.

Looking ahead to next year, nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of business owners are planning to invest back into their business. The most popular areas for investment are marketing (29 per cent), and new equipment/technology (28 per cent).

Prior to the lockdown announcement for England on October 31, 63 per cent of SMEs expected to return to 2019 levels of output by the end of 2021, although the latest restrictions may make this less achievable for some businesses.

Konrad Kelling, Head of Small Business at Barclaycard Payments, commented: “The past year has been incredibly difficult for SMEs across all sectors, so it’s reassuring to see that many have been able to take advantage of the lessons learned during the first lockdown to adapt their business ensuring that they are able to continue to serve their customers.”

He recommends that SMEs invest in the ‘new normal’ with regard to your online presence and make sure people know who’s behind your business – many customers are looking to support their local SMEs during these tough times, so make sure your customers know the stories and people behind your business.

Emma Jones, founder of small business network, Enterprise Nation, added: “SMEs have again and again proved their resourcefulness and flexibility in this crisis. They have been proactive in looking at ways to adapt their business for a Covid economy – with investment in online tools, and having staff working from home all crucial to their ability to ride out the latest round of pandemic disruptions. In light of all of the economic setbacks, SMEs are hopeful that 2021 could bring back a degree of normality – and we are hopeful that they will persevere.”

Bira encourages retailers into festive spirit

With retail under huge pressure at the moment, a leading retail organisation is aiming to add a little lightness with a new competition.

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched its first competition to find the finest festive display. Bira Direct, the trade association’s product-buying group, is on the hunt for the independent retail business with the best Christmas display. It can be either a traditional shop window display or a merchandised area inside the store.

The competition is open to all independent retailers, and there’s a top prize of £200 to spend with Bira Direct for the winner. First prize will be decided by Bira judges, while the winners of first runner-up and second runner-up places, will receive £100 and £50 Bira Direct vouchers respectively, following a public vote on social media. Meanwhile, all UK voters will be automatically entered into a prize drawer to win a hamper of goodies from Bira Direct suppliers.

Jeff Moody, Bira’s Commercial Director, commented: “After an incredibly difficult year for bricks and mortar retailers, we’re excited to launch this new initiative, not only giving retailers an opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, but also an opportunity for us to promote some truly creative retailers to the public.”

Find out more at https://bira.co.uk/bira-direct-christmas-competition

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Bongiorno drinks have a low calorie content, are non-carbonated, unfiltered, with ‘mother’ (fermented natural substance) at the base of the vinegar and rich in fibre. Monari Federzoni vinegardrinks are also gluten free, GMO free and with only fruit sugars (coming from the fruit juices and the grape must of the Balsamic Vinegar) for a 100% made in Italy product.

Monari Federzoni produces 12 million bottles every year and exports to 60 countries around the world. In 2019 it achieved a turnover of 18 million euros.”

For more information email: helen@healthandwholefood.com

Veganuary surpasses one million milestone

The Veganuary campaign has announced more than one million people have taken part since it began six years ago.

The campaign, where people pledge to try vegan for 31 days, was forged on a kitchen table in York by a husband and wife team, and official participant numbers have grown year on year from 3,300 in 2014 to 400,300 signing up in 2020.

Matthew Glover, co-founder and Chair of Veganuary, commented: “When my wife, Jane, and I decided to launch a new year’s vegan pledge in 2014, we expected only 1,000 people to take part. More than 3,000 signed-up and we were blown away. Now, Veganuary is a bigger feature in the retail calendar than Christmas, reflecting the ever-increasing number of people choosing plant-based food.”

Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s International Head of Communications, added: “At a time when many feel helpless about the state of the world, Veganuary offers people a way to take positive action. Reaching the one million milestone in the middle of this pandemic shows it’s exactly what many people need right now.”