Tried and Supplied

While generative artificial intelligence is currently taking a lot of the attention, the hospitality industry has been implementing AI in a number of areas to help reduce queues, save energy, provide sales forecasting and even scan trays. The Caterer has a great summary of some of these developments. https://lnkd.in/exdG5ukx #AI #Hospitality #EnergySaving

We are delighted to have been shortlisted in the category Eco Innovator at SeedLegals Startup Awards for our dedication to sustainability and ESG. From the creation of our supplier database, to the evolution of our ESG data platform, we're committed to supporting hospitality and the food industry in becoming more transparent and sustainable. The finalists will be revealed on 28 March so wish us luck! 🤞 #slawards #Sustainability #ESG #Startups Domini Hogg 郝怡琳 Paul Rees Neha Oka

📣 Hospitality businesses - are you aware of these important changes? ▪️ Simpler Recycling: businesses will now be expected to separate out their waste into dry recyclables, food, and black bin (residual). This comes into place from 31 March 2025 (2027 for businesses with less than 10 full-time employees). https://lnkd.in/gSgMDvXN ▪️ Landfill tax rate increase: From 1 April, businesses will be charged at £126.15 tonne at the standard rate, and £4.05 tonne at the lower rate https://lnkd.in/gS3W5tAM We also recommend keeping a close eye on The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill, which has promised a lower rate for hospitality businesses, amongst others. #Hospitality #Legislation #FoodWaste

What to watch out for in 2025! 🍽️ Brands like Fallow Restaurant and Apricity Restaurant are leading the way in sustainable eating and we expect interest to grow this year. ⚖️ A wave of sustainability legislation like EUDR may increase the burden on restaurants (though we can help with this!). 🚜 We’re anticipating a lot more innovation in farming, such as specially bred low-methane cows. Growing consumer interest in sustainability is driving some of these changes, with recent research from Mintel suggesting a massive 79% chose a product with a sustainability claim. Read more about the trends we expect in 2025 on our sister blog at Saucy Dressings: https://lnkd.in/eHJ54bkc #Sustainability #FoodAndBev #EUDR

How can progress be made on things like reducing global plastics when countries with vested interests can block development? The recent Global Plastics Treaty ended with no resolution, as oil countries Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran resisted a deal being made, despite 100 countries and more than 250 businesses wanting progress on this issue. https://lnkd.in/dsbnkHyd #Plastics #ClimateChange #CircularEconomy

Can you guess what food is responsible for 10% of global methane emissions?   It’s rice! It is actually second to beef for greenhouse gases. The flooding of paddy fields to grow the rice not only uses a lot of water but also create the conditions for methane, through bacteria growth. A number of large and small organisations are starting to take note, including Mars, Tilda and UK start up NICE RICE, testing new ways to help farmers reduce emissions and increase yields.   https://lnkd.in/edKGsJJd #MethaneEmissions #GreenhouseGases #ClimateChange

Henry Dimbleby and Dr Dolly van Tulleken have written a new report aiming to improve the UK’s health by reducing obesity. The report includes interviews with UK politicians, including former prime ministers, on the challenges they faced in their roles. These include conflicts of interest, fears of a “nanny state”, and responsibility lying with a variety of government departments. While there are no specific policy recommendations, there are suggestions on how to successfully implement policy changes. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e56eibTp #Health #UKFood #Obesity

This week it is #SmallBusinessSaturday. While smaller businesses can be more transparent, as they may have less complex supply chains, sometimes they may not have the resources to invest in sustainability like some larger organisations can. The best ones that we know use vertical integration to manage their supplies and their manufacturing. Yockenthwaite Farm use traditional methods to create their oats, granola and muesli, as well as using sustainable packaging. Riverside Dairy create ice cream using milk from the cows on their farm, winning an award where their commitment to sustainable farming was highlighted. #SupplyChain #FoodAndBev

Food origin is sometimes not always what it seems. This investigation by the BBC found that tomato puree that was labelled as Italian actually contained tomatoes from China, and specifically from Xinjiang, where there are concerns about forced labour from Uyghur re-education camps. It also demonstrates how complicated and deceptive the supply chain can be. In order for the BBC to carry out this investigation, they engaged a company that specialises in analysing food’s trace elements to identify the country the tomatoes originated from. They also sent in an undercover reporter, who asked questions about the origin and obtained images of some of the barrels of paste, demonstrating their link to China. It is difficult for both food producers and consumers to identify slave labour in the supply chain, where suppliers may hide details about their products. Transparency is vital to ensure that food is produced ethically and sustainably. https://lnkd.in/e6KrwZJT #SupplyChain #Sustainability #FoodAndBev

The positive impacts for EUDR on the environment risk being derailed first by delays and then by the potential introduction of a “no risk” category. EUDR as initially proposed would have categorised countries into low, standard and high risk based on their levels of deforestation. Companies would then have been expected to confirm that their products had not been sourced from deforested land, amongst other requirements. The newly proposed no risk category, indicating a country with “stable” forest land, would mean they would be subject to less of the requirements that low, standard and high risk countries would be. Forestry and climate campaigners are concerned that it may lead to an increase in “laundering” of products through no risk countries and also complacency amongst those countries deemed no risk. To keep up to date with EUDR developments and find out how to ensure your company is compliant, get in touch with us. https://lnkd.in/ecY-ACuC #EUDR #Deforestation #ClimateChange