Suma Wholefoods has announced the launch of two brand new chilled products – Suma Kimchi and Sauerkraut. The new releases are handmade, organic and traditionally fermented using organic and seasonal ingredients.
Sauerkraut is the Godfather of fermented foods, turning the humble cabbage into a tangy, crunchy delight. While kimchi is Korea’s fiery, funky answer to sauerkraut with a spicy twist. It’s just the right side of spicy, full of tasty fermented flavours and unpasteurised cultures. Whereas the Sauerkraut is made to a classic recipe using only organic cabbage and sea salt. They’re great served straight from the jar, and perfect in salads, slaws, stews, topping noodles, in a toastie or served on the side.
Kate Willis, Brand Co-ordinator at Suma, commented: “We’re cabbage fans at Suma! We have members who love to make their own fermented foods and we were excited to launch our own brand of Suma Culture Club fermented products to join our popular kombucha range. We worked closely with our UK-based supplier to make organic, seasonal and UK-grown versions to call our own.
“Following taste tests on Suma members, we added a little chili kick and a little tamari to the kimchi for depth and umami. We wanted a simple straight-forward Sauerkraut that would give a wholesome crunch to your vegan hotdog! As with all our Suma brand products, we aim for sustainability, so the glass packaging is fully recyclable and the outer packaging is recycled cardboard. We hope you love them as much as we do!”
Taste tested on humans at Suma HQ, they’re perfect for customers interested in gut health. Supplied in cases of 6, these squat 300g glass jars have colourful and vibrant packaging, they’re at a great price point too, RRP £4.40 Kimchi and £4.20 Sauerkraut. Available to order from www.wholesale.suma.coop
HayMax, the organic drug-free allergen barrier balm for hay fever, dust and pet allergy sufferers, has just won its second Global 100 Award. The brand now has over 60 awards to its name.
Max Wiseberg, Managing Director of HayMax, commented: “I can’t quite believe that my business, that I created nearly 20 years ago, has been recognised in these Global 100 Awards. I am very chuffed!”
The Global 100 Awards celebrate excellence in business, spotlighting the year’s top 100 firms and individuals shaping the global professional landscape.
Leading the way for almost two decades, HayMax has now won over 60 awards, including for 2023 a Soil Association BOOM Award, British Made Award, Enterprise Award, BizzieBaby Award, Global 100 Award and Corporate America Today Annual Award.
In addition, the brand has recently started making a positive contribution to reduce climate change. HayMax has switched to using sugar cane to make their pots (using up CO2 instead of producing it), have reduced the amount of material used in the pots by just over 54 per cent, and have switched from plastic labels to paper ones. HayMax pots are now recyclable with your roadside collection.
HayMax is available from wholesalers including Hunts Foods, Jumla, CLF, Hampdens and Sundrelle. The HayMax range is supported by national PR and advertising campaigns. POS materials, including giant display boxes, CDUs, leaflets, posters and shelf barkers, are available from many wholesalers or direct on 01525 406600 or https://haymax.biz/trade-information/
Natural & Organic Products Expo (NOPEX) has announced this year’s seminar programme for when it returns to ExCeL London on 14-15 April. With over 50 industry experts confirmed, including senior professionals from Waitrose, Holland & Barrett, Planet Organic, Marks & Spencer, Abel & Cole, ScoreApp, Soil Association, and IFOAM Organics, the show organisers have stated that it is their “best ever” speaker line-up.
All talks at the show are free to attend and will cover topics like Net Zero, inclusivity, sustainable retail, organic farming, vegan shopping, global product trends, and more – offering buyers and industry professionals an insight into the fast-moving trends within natural, organic and sustainable food and health.
Unmissable headliners
Retail expert, broadcaster and author Mary Portas will headline the show, as well as Planet Organic’s founder Renée Elliott. Co-founder of ScoreApp and best-selling author, Daniel Priestley has also been confirmed.
Sponsored by Viridian Nutrition, Daniel Priestley will advise how indie retailers can use their skills and experience to create a loyal and committed following in a community. By spotlighting issues that mean something to a target audience, this talk will help attendees become a key person of influence (14 April, 1pm).
Big name retailers
Leading retailers like Holland & Barrett and Waitrose will also take to the stage. Titled ‘How to Keep a 150-Year-Old Business Alive,’ Rachel Chatterton, Head of Food and Beverage Development at Holland & Barrett, will explore the challenges on the UK high street and will share insights into how H&B approach food development, the criteria for working with new suppliers and where they plan to take their food range in the future (15 April, 2:15pm).
Oliver Chadwyck-Healey, Branded Innovation Manager at Waitrose & Partners will give a brief insight into the way buyers and the Branded Innovation team at Waitrose work – in his session titled ‘What makes Waitrose, Waitrose’. He’ll talk about the retailer’s targets and motivations that they work to, as well as the pressures and constraints (15 April, 11:15am).
Attendees should also attend a session with Mike Barry, Former Director of Sustainable Business at Marks & Spencer. Mike Barry will delve into what it looks like to build a sustainable food system for the future. He’ll also look at trends that bigger businesses are already adopting and what else can be done to see change at the rate that we need it (14 April, 2:30pm).
Panels on timely topics
As well as keynotes, attendees can look forward to engaging with some of the industry’s most influential names and discussing cutting-edge topics in a range of panel sessions. With Net Zero targets to think about, Lee Holdstock (Soil Association Certification); Charles Redfern (Organico Realfoods); Ed Ayton (Abel & Cole), and Matthew Unerman (Compassion in World Farming) will be on an important panel titled Net Zero and Beyond (14 April, 4pm).
European organic advocates, IFOAM will host a panel on the organic market. Hear from organic experts Soil Association Certification the highlights of the 2024 Organic Market Report and join leading voices from the organic movement in Europe to hear how they are supporting the organic sector and the industry wide vision making organic accessible and affordable for all (15 April, 3pm).
Joanna Wierzbicka, Deputy Director of IFOAM Organics Europe: “IFOAM Organics Europe is pleased to cooperate with Natural and Organic Products Expo. Our partnership combines knowledge and passion to promote the growth of the organic sector in the UK, and beyond. I am looking forward to the session, where we will be delving into European market data and engaging in discussion on challenges and opportunities of the organic industry growth in the UK. IFOAM Organics Europe proudly joins the event, committed to strengthening our organic community.”
Lastly, visitors can join an exciting panel titled ‘Breaking Barriers: Empowering Black Founders in Retail’ to hear the challenges and opportunities that three business leaders have faced and their top tips for success (15 April, 4pm).
For more information and to view the full schedule, visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk/seminars-main-stage.
Organic & Natural Business magazine