Arla Foods has unveiled plans to invest over £300 million in enhancing five of its UK facilities. The announcement came during the UK Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street, highlighting Arla’s dedication to bolstering British dairy production and strengthening national food security. The investment will be channelled into modernising and expanding operations at Arla’s sites in Lockerbie, Stourton, Aylesbury, Westbury, and Taw Valley. These initiatives are aimed at boosting the company’s production capacity and sustaining the high quality of dairy products it offers, thereby reinforcing the UK’s stature in the global food marketplace. Bas Padberg, managing director of Arla…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a seasoned journalist and editor with a deep passion for the culinary arts. With over two decades of experience in the world of food writing, Sam has become a distinguished voice in the industry, renowned for his insightful reviews, engaging storytelling, and unwavering commitment to highlighting the finest in gastronomy. As the Editor-in-Chief of Feast Magazine, he leads a dynamic team dedicated to exploring the diverse and ever-evolving culinary landscape. Sam's journey into food journalism began with a childhood fascination for cooking, inspired by his grandmother's kitchen where he first learned the magic of blending flavors and crafting delicious meals. This early love for food led him to pursue a degree in Journalism from the University of Leeds, where he honed his skills in writing and developed a keen eye for detail. Throughout his career, Sam has traveled extensively, tasting and documenting cuisines from around the world. His articles are known for their rich, vivid descriptions and his ability to convey the cultural contexts of the dishes he explores. Whether it's a hidden gem in a bustling city or a traditional dish in a remote village, Sam's work brings the reader right to the heart of the culinary experience. Under Sam's leadership, Feast Magazine has flourished, earning accolades for its in-depth features, exclusive interviews with top chefs, and comprehensive guides to the best dining spots. His editorial vision emphasizes sustainability, innovation, and authenticity in the culinary world, ensuring that the magazine not only entertains but also educates and inspires its readers. Beyond his professional achievements, Sam is an advocate for food education and sustainable practices. He frequently participates in panels, workshops, and community events, sharing his expertise and fostering a greater appreciation for the art of cooking and the importance of ethical food consumption. In his free time, Sam enjoys experimenting with new recipes, exploring local farmers' markets, and hosting dinner parties for friends and family. His personal blog, where he shares his culinary adventures and recipes, has a loyal following, further cementing his status as a trusted authority in the world of food. Sam Allcock's dedication to his craft and his genuine love for all things culinary make him a pivotal figure in food journalism, continuously inspiring and delighting food enthusiasts around the globe.
Mars has announced plans to inject an additional €130m ($140m) into eight of its French factories. The investment, which was unveiled today (13 May) at the Choose France investment summit, aims to bolster the company’s French operations by creating 72 new roles across its factories nationwide. A substantial portion of this funding is allocated to enhance the pet food production lines at the Saint-Denis-de-L’Hôtel site, known for producing Pedigree and Whiskas brands. Mars intends to modernise and expand the production capacity at this location, which will include the recruitment of approximately 60 new employees annually. In addition, nearly €48m will…
Orkla, a prominent food manufacturer based in Norway, has announced a Skr20m ($1.8m) investment to expand its Bubs confectionery production facility in Sweden. The expansion of the Jönköping factory is scheduled to begin as early as this summer, according to Orkla. The company indicated strong demand for the factory’s products from “both Swedish and international” clients. Niclas Arnelin, Orkla’s business area manager for confectionery and ex-CEO of Bubs, stated: “We are noticing the international trend through an increasing number of international visitors to the website, followers on social media and many new inquiries from international wholesalers.” He added, “Primarily, we…
Prepare to experience the pure magic of Ireland in a glass with the launch of Le Grá, a premium lager that captures the true spirit and enchantment of the Emerald Isle like never before. On May 9th, Le Grá (“with love” in Irish) will make its official debut in Dublin, where visitors can be among the first to savour this one-of-a-kind golden brew infused with real shamrocks for a touch of ancient Irish luck. Le Grá’s iconic four-leaf clover logo represents the virtues of faith, hope, love, and luck that have forever guided the Irish people. “With Le Grá, we wanted…
The private-equity owners of Bolthouse Farms have restructured the US business into two distinct companies. Butterfly Equity, which purchased California-based Bolthouse Farms from Campbell Soup Co. in 2019, announced that the division will “enable accelerated growth via increased flexibility for investment in capabilities as well as acquisitions”. One side of the business, Bolthouse Fresh Foods, will focus on supplying fresh carrots to retailers throughout North America, with leadership under CEO Timothy Escamilla, previously president of Dole Fresh Vegetables. The second entity, Generous Brands, will encompass fruit and vegetable juices, smoothies, and fortified energy and immunity drinks, including Evolution Fresh, which…
A Senate inquiry in Australia has proposed that supermarket price gouging should be declared illegal, and has advocated for divestiture laws to dismantle the country’s supermarket duopoly. The inquiry, led by the environmentalist Greens party, published its final report on 7 May, featuring 14 recommendations. These include the introduction of measures to dismantle large supermarket chains and an enhancement of the food and grocery code of conduct. Senator Nick McKim, Greens Economic Justice spokesperson and chair of the committee, described the report as “landmark”, aimed at addressing “so much harm” done to the Australian populace. He stated, “The committee has…
In the realm of corporate alliances, the partnership between Uber Eats and Instacart may not be as epic as Iron Man joining forces with Spider-Man, but it’s still a significant power play. Their target? The dominant market leader, DoorDash. Instacart is set to add a new ‘restaurants’ tab to its app, enabling users to order directly from Uber Eats, as announced this morning. This strategic move allows Instacart to broaden its service offerings, while Uber takes a direct jab at DoorDash’s stronghold in the suburban demographic, a segment where Instacart also excels. “In a way, you could say that we’re…
Once hailed as the potential Amazon of rapid grocery delivery with a valuation peaking at $12 billion, Getir has now confirmed the closure of its operations in the U.S., Germany, the U.K., and the Netherlands, choosing to focus solely on its original market in Turkey where it began in 2015. During its peak, Getir’s allure was undeniable: the promise of delivering groceries within 15 minutes at almost any hour, which had investors clamouring for a piece of the action. From its first investment in 2017, the company attracted more than $2.3 billion by 2023, with a staggering $768 million secured…
Aldi, the discount supermarket chain, has revealed that its partnership with the food redistribution platform Too Good To Go has resulted in over £7 million in savings for its customers. Through this partnership, customers have the opportunity to buy “Surprise bags” containing surplus food. Since the initiative’s start in February 2023, more than half a million of these bags have been sold. Aldi reports that this initiative has prevented approximately 1,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions by distributing food at discounted prices that would otherwise have been discarded. These Surprise bags, filled with a variety of grocery items nearing their sell-by…
The US-based Hain Celestial has unveiled plans to streamline its array of food and beverage products to bolster future growth. This initiative will impact its offerings in meal preparation, snacks, as well as food and drinks for babies and children. In the meal preparation segment, the company aims to optimise its Linda McCartney plant-based meats selection, focusing particularly on the frozen products sold across Europe and the UK. Additionally, the producer of Terra vegetable crisps is set to revise its baby and children’s food and drinks lineup, “as part of ongoing brand maintenance.” The streamlining effort included the recent divestiture…