Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Friday, January 8, 2010

Tesco rewards customers for reusing bags



Tesco rewards customers for reusing bags


TESCO Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Tesco) is encouraging its customers to opt for reusable bags when shopping by rewarding them through its loyalty card scheme.

Through the Tesco Green Clubcard programme, members get additional Green Clubcard Points for every bag they reuse on top of existing Clubcard Points collected on their purchases.

At every quarter, the points are converted into Clubcard Cash Vouchers that can be used to offset the cost of purchases made at any Tesco and Tesco Extra store.

The initiative launched by Tesco since June last year is in line with the Selangor government’s “No Plastic Bag on Saturday” campaign.

According to a directive by Selangor executive councillor for Tourism, Consumer Affairs and the Environment Elizabeth Wong, retailers in the state have been requested not to give out plastic carrier bags to customers on Saturdays.

Under the campaign, retailers are to charge if customers insist on plastic bags. The campaign, part of the state’s green initiative, will run for six months beginning tomorrow.

However, Tesco stores in Selangor will only start charging 20 sen per plastic bag once its customers have gotten used to the idea of using reusable bags for shopping. The collection will be donated to the Malaysian Nature Society.

“We found this approach – encouraging customers to reuse bags and rewarding them for doing so – more effective and sustainable rather than penalising our customers by charging for the plastic carrier bags,” said Tesco corporate affairs director Marlene Kaur.

“We do not want to penalise our customers when they are still unaware of the Selangor government’s campaign. We believe that climate change will only be tackled successfully if people are encouraged to change their behaviour willingly, and to be enthusiastic champions for a lower-carbon lifestyle,” she said.

The scheme is not restricted to Tesco’s own carrier bags, shoppers can re-use any other bags as long as it is not a new plastic bag.

To help customers save costs, one of Tesco’s reusable bags – The Big Green Bag – will now cost 50% less at RM1.99.

Since the inception of a reward system through the Tesco Green Clubcard programme, Tesco has reduced the production of plastic bags by 20 million.

Fresh Produce: in need of a relaunch


Fresh Produce: in need of a relaunch
? - Fruit Logistica

Berlin, 7 January 2010 – "Top image but low returns. Does fresh produce need a relaunch?" is the title of the 29th Fresh Produce Forum taking place on Tuesday, 2nd February 2010 from 2.00 to 5.30 pm in Saal 15.2 at the ICC Berlin, one day prior to FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 (3-5 Feb.). Fruit and vegetables play an important role in healthy nutrition and are high on the list of consumer priorities. Food retailers value the fresh produce department as a calling card and a means of attracting customers. Nevertheless, retailers continuously try to sharpen their image by lowering fresh produce prices. In the long run, this makes it difficult to maintain a high-quality range of products.

What strategies are needed to offer consumers a healthy range of fresh produce at prices that are also satisfactory to growers and suppliers? How can the expectations of today's consumers – sustainability in terms of economic, ecological, social and ethical aspects – be brought in line with fair prices? What can suppliers and retailers do to remedy the problem? How can downward price trends be stopped?

Keynote speaker at the 29th Fresh Produce Forum is Prof. David Hughes from Imperial College London. Prof. Hughes has long been recognised as an international expert in fresh produce marketing, thanks to his widespread activities for commercial enterprises, and familiarity with all aspects of the fruit and vegetable business.

The results of a nationwide consumer survey conducted by the GfK market research group and commissioned in late autumn 2009 by Fruchthandel Magazine, Dusseldorf, will be presented by Rudolf Deitert, GfK Nürnberg. This representative survey asks consumers to name their favourite fresh produce department in the German retail sector. Following this presentation, the winner will receive the Fruchthandel Magazine Retail Award. Germany's Number 1 Retailer for Fresh Produce. Fruchthandel Magazine will also present the Grüne Merkur award to recognise outstanding achievements in the fresh produce trade by individuals, organisations and commercial enterprises.

A panel discussion focusing on different approaches and exploring innovative solutions will include the following experts: Andreas Allenspach Fresh Produce Marketing Manager, Migros AG, Switzerland, Matthias Geuder, Managing Director, Univeg Germany, and Henning Schmidt, CEO, Landgard eG, Germany. Dr. Michael Loschelder, Sozietät Loschelder Köln, will address antitrust issues related to supply-side pricing: Who can do what? What are the consequences?

Visitor information

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010 and FRESHCONEX 2010, the international trade fair for fresh produce convenience, are open daily on 3-5 February from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm. Special rates are available from the online ticketing service (www.fruitlogistica.com > Visitor Service > Tickets & Registration). A one-day ticket costs EUR 22.00; a permanent pass is EUR 53.00. At the gate, a one-day ticket costs EUR 25.00 and a permanent pass EUR 60.00. A full-access pass that includes the Fresh Produce Forum costs EUR 85.00. Ticket prices include the trade fair catalogue, attendance at all Hall Forums and admission to FRESHCONEX.

Fresh produce players reveal their expectations for 2010 - Fresh Produce Journal

Fresh produce players reveal their expectations for 2010 - Fresh Produce Journal

As the fresh produce industry gears up for 2010, FPJ catches up with leading figures from across the sector to find out their New Year’s resolutions for the industry and their expectations for the next 12 months

Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC)

We all want to reduce food waste throughout the supply chain and we are encouraging the fresh produce industry to make a difference in 2010 by supporting FareShare. The national food charity is a successful example of how the fresh produce sector can help disadvantaged people across the UK who do not always have access to a healthy diet of fresh produce.

It’s vital that we encourage greater consumption of fresh produce across the whole UK population and we will continue to work with government departments and others to achieve this.

I would like to see the food miles myth dismantled in 2010. For some time, we have been highlighting the complexities of the food supply chain and the true impact of food production and consumption.

It is rewarding to see charities such as Oxfam and international consumer organisations realising that the food miles concept is confusing and that climate labelling is impractical. Now these organisations are recommending that consumers forget food miles and eat less meat and more fresh produce to help influence demand for sustainable, low-emission products.

The relatively low carbon footprint of the fresh produce sector must be recognised in comparison with other food sectors. The fresh produce industry is putting in place measures to achieve food production in a low carbon world, calculating greenhouse gas emissions, reducing excess packaging and increasing reuse and recycling, as well as reducing food waste and recovering energy.

The review of the EC Plant Health Regime provides us with the opportunity to call for greater prioritisation of risk management, expansion of reduced checks and the approved Trade Scheme for traders with a long-standing record of compliance.

The FPC drove forward the pilot of the Automatic Licensing Verification, introducing simplified and improved procedures for importing fresh produce, estimated to save the industry around £1 million each year. This is the final element of the FPC’s long-term strategy that brings together work to develop PEACH, eDomero and CHIEF.

Many issues and recommendations we identified where many of the government departments could make efficiencies are included in the Simplifying Trade Across UK Borders action plan.

The FPC will challenge the UK government to deliver and to remove unnecessary burdens from companies importing fresh produce to the UK. We must ensure that the UK is a destination of choice, with fast and effective importation controls allowing produce and cut flowers to be enjoyed by all.

Laurence Olins, chairman of British Summer Fruits

My predictions for the industry are notoriously difficult given that I have no idea what growers’ intentions are for planting or the climate we face.

However, demand for soft fruit should continue to rise, hopefully in line with or ahead of production. I am sure there will be further new varieties being produced commercially that were in the trial stage last year. The cost of production will be affected by higher wage rates for agricultural workers and the increase in National Insurance contributions, so yields or selling prices should rise to meet these additional costs.

My resolution for 2010 is not to make any, so there is no danger of breaking them!

Graham Wallace, managing director of City Markets (Glasgow) LLP and chairman of the World Union of Wholesale Markets

Locally, the focus for 2010 must be on the modernisation of the market and therefore my resolution is to ensure that the contract for the works in Glasgow proceeds in such a way that the impact on the tenants’ day-to-day business activities is minimised as much as possible.

This will, of course, involve some intense co-operation between landlord and tenant, but the rewards for the undoubted patience and tolerance required will definitely outweigh the cost.

In recent years, the relationships between the market owners/operators and the businesses in the markets have markedly improved and there is now full acceptance that we must act in partnership on a much wider range of issues to ensure the individual market’s success. This equally applies to the wholesale and retail market sector working together as a whole and, as shown through the market members of the World Union of Wholesale Markets (WUWM), it is apparent that by doing so we can raise the prominence and the profile of our individual operations. The markets sector has successfully managed to weather the storm to date and there is no reason to doubt that 2010 will be any different.

Sandra Ziles, director of the Potato Council

This year, the Potato Council is committed to highlighting the importance of the potato as part of a healthy diet and food security.

Through the ‘supercarb’ campaign, we are pushing for potatoes to be recognised as a carbohydrate that has all the goodness of a vegetable. This campaign draws attention to the essential nutrients contained in potatoes, combined with the energy they provide. The initiative has been backed by many within the potato industry and it is hoped that support will continue to increase.

Alongside this, reaching younger consumers is crucial to the long-term future of the industry and we must engage with and educate this group about potatoes and their health benefits, as well as their versatility, convenience and the different varieties available. We can do this most effectively by increasing dialogue through new media channels and social networking sites, and the Potato Council will continue to build its presence on the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

Potatoes have fared well through the recession, as budget-conscious consumers search for better value for money and return to scratch cooking. As the economy recovers, the sector needs to maintain the increased demand for potatoes and drive sales value by encouraging consumers to keep them on their shopping lists.

The Potato Council’s research and development will have a focus on sustainable production.

Furthermore, as a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, the Potato Council aims to provide a more efficient and cost-effective service in 2010, serving the interests of all levy payers.

David Macaulay, A DIRECTOR OF Redfox

The fresh produce industry has an exciting year ahead, with confidence rebuilding across the supply chain, companies and candidates, as well as acquisitions and the restructuring of middle and senior teams leading to more senior opportunities.

I expect that it will be a year of growth and higher expectations. Candidates and clients will be looking for companies and recruitment consultancies to differentiate themselves through their brand, financial strength, strategy and marketing. This is why Redfox is leading the way in the development of social media as a form of communication. Nothing beats talking face to face, but our contacts want instant information, whether that is on career-changing roles or breaking industry news.

But the main challenge will be to manage expectations. There is a belief that there is an abundance of talent out there as a result of redundancies, but we are still using our executive head-hunting skills to target and place the right candidates that are not actively looking for career progression. Clients need to understand there is still a very strong demand for talent in the sector and as leading businesses start revisiting their succession planning strategy, the competition to recruit the best will increase.

This year, I would like to see the industry stand up and be noticed. The fresh produce sector, along with agriculture in general, needs to address the issue of an ageing workforce and the succession planning challenges that this creates. How can we do that? We need to reach further than the classical agricultural universities to raise the profile and benefits of the sector with non-farming talent.

With the public’s increasing interest in fresh food, there is no better time for the industry to sell itself and engage with future leaders about the benefits of working within the sector. There are still only a handful of middle and senior managers within the sector that have joined halfway through their career and they are making such a positive impact with fresh ideas and professional standards that have been neglected in the past. The cultural fit must be right but when it is, the benefits to the business and colleagues can be excellent.

Sandy Sewell, commercial director at Florette

Christmas 2009 proved to be a great success for Florette, as initial figures indicate a sales increase of more than 25 per cent compared to the same time in 2008. Consumers tend to rely on brands such as Florette at Christmas to provide the quality and freshness they expect during this important time of the year.

As we look ahead to 2010, the one thing that we can be certain of is that it is an exciting time for the fresh produce category. With the UK set to emerge from recession, it will be important for all companies in the sector to invest in new product development, to continue to drive consumer interest.

For Florette, this innovation will happen across both areas of our business – prepared salad and fresh fruit. Prepared fruit was a new launch for Florette in 2009 and we are very excited about where this could take the brand in 2010. We have a number of innovations planned that will be launched during this year, which we feel will drive interest and sales in the category. Similarly, we are also continuing to invest in our salad offer, with new products to be launched throughout the year to complement our core bestsellers.

The end of the recession could also lead to a rise in consumer spending and added to this, the staycation trend of 2009 is also set to continue into 2010. There are also some key dates that many in the sector should be focusing on. While it is too early to predict whether we will have a barbecue summer, the football World Cup in June and July will provide a key sales opportunity, as consumers get together with friends and family to watch the major games.

Generally, 2010 is looking positive in terms of economic outlook. Added to this, in 2010, Florette will once again be investing in a major £3 million TV advertising and consumer press campaign, increasing our digital capabilities, all alongside ongoing new product development, which will continue to drive brand growth in 2010. By keeping innovation at the core of the business, we aim to ensure the category can truly be seen as fresh.

Getting more than just an apple a day

Getting more than just an apple a day
Terri Coles
Thu Jan 7, 2010 5:14pm EST


TORONTO (Reuters Health) - Less than a quarter of Americans eats the five daily servings of fruits and vegetables that the National Cancer Institute recommends, but online programs may help boost those numbers, a new study hints.

Health

As part of the Making Effective Nutrition Choices study, some 2500 people logged on to a website providing information on the benefits of eating more fruits and vegetables and ways to incorporate these healthy foods into their diets.

Three months into the study about 70 percent of subjects were eating five or more servings of fruits and vegetables on an average day, up from 20 percent at the starting point. That increase held for the rest of the year-long study.

It was surprising to see such a large jump in the number of participants reaching the guidelines so early on, said study leader Dr. Christine Cole Johnson, and also to have those results hold for the next nine months. "In most nutritional studies, you're happy if you get a half-serving increase," Johnson said. But this study showed average increases of at least two servings daily.

Because the study included men and women aged 21 to 65 from around the country, the results indicate that a well-designed website could be used to educate more widely on the importance of fruit and vegetable consumption, Johnson said. "We think this could reach a large number of people and change habits on a national level," she said.

The results of the study are published in the latest issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

In the study, conducted at five U.S. sites, the researchers assessed change in fruit and vegetable intake associated with visiting a website that provided tailored nutritional information, with or without motivational emails, and an untailored "control" website.

The two websites had the same basic design, but the tailored website provided personalized nutritional information based on responses to a survey given at the outset, while the control site provided general information about nutrition related to fruits and vegetables. With the tailored website, "the messages they were given were based on concerns they had (about increasing consumption) and how to address those," Johnson said.

When the study began, the participants averaged 4.4 fruit and vegetable servings daily according to a 16-item "food frequency" questionnaire and 3.3 according to a 2-item questionnaire about average daily fruit and vegetable consumption.

By the end of the study, both questionnaires showed that daily fruit and vegetable consumption had increased by more than two servings, on average. Participants who accessed the tailored website showed comparable increases, whether or not they received email counseling, of about 2.7 servings daily, while those who used the generic website increased their daily servings by about 2.35.

The study participants reported an overall high level of satisfaction with the websites and the information they received on them, Johnson said. Statistically, it's hard to say what effect the motivational emails had on the results, she said, but study participants reported that they liked that feature and found it helpful.

Non-minority women over 50 with high levels of education were the most likely to stick with the program and increase their servings, the study found.

It was somewhat surprising, Johnson noted, that the web-based program was less popular with younger participants. Study co-author Dr. Gwen Alexander is currently working on a program aimed at younger participants. "It needs to be in front of them, accessible and easy," Alexander said.

SOURCE: American Journal of Public Health, January 2010.