Guest Comment

This month’s analysis is from Simon Benadiba, political consultant, The Whitehouse Consultancy

Eating out as a vegan is no longer a time-consuming, difficult challenge it once was – food options have become so much better, particularly over the last few years. It’s hard to believe those who have been vegan for decades used to carry around their own little carton of soya milk, just to be in with a chance of a decent cup of tea

In a letter to the editor, John Brear, national sales director at Bio-Nature, takes a moment to share his thoughts on his friend and colleague Diane Suddell, who passed away on 25 July. 

Protein is not in short supply in UK diets, but nevertheless, it’s a hot topic in the world of food. National guidelines encourage us to eat more beans and pulses because they are healthy and sustainable sources of this nutrient, but some people are not familiar with these foods. We can help to protect our health and the environment by promoting plant protein.

Plastics in the sea, straws, billions of unrecyclable coffee cups: 2018 has been the year of environmental sustainability … or at least that’s how it seems.

Whether it’s beautifully arranged plant-based dishes on Instagram, animal rights billboard campaigns, or lengthy features in Sunday supplements of our national newspapers, veganism is increasingly present in our lives.

It’s been estimated that over half a million Brits are eating vegan diets, and many more are deciding to consume less animal products.

Natural beauty, health and wellness blogger Ailish Lucas reports from the Indie Beauty Expo in LA to bring us some of the key trends coming out of the US which are worth paying attention to

Ahead of Natural & Organic Products Europe (NPE) in April, show organizer Diversified Communications has been hearing from industry figures about trends, innovation, opportunities, challenges and the ‘ones to watch’ for 2018.

The Vegan Society respond to Patrick Holford's column 'The dangers of a vegan diet' with a letter to the editor.

Long before we Brits craved the perfect night in, the Danish had a word for it. Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ is a Scandinavian way of life that celebrates cosiness, shared meals and interactions with friends and family.

So here we are, approaching the end of 2017. And, although we are not quite there, I’m already reflecting on what has been a very exciting year for the organic sector.

Even those of us who try to avoid politics at all costs cannot fail to notice that Britain’s exit from the EU looms ever closer, and that The British Government has been talking more about the preparations it is making for Brexit. Food businesses across the UK may not want to think about the issue but they should, and they must be asking are we ready, or are we not?

Continuous promotion is a necessity to attract and keep customers, but margin erosion must be closely managed. A key objective of sales promotion is therefore to achieve highest impact at lowest cost.

Craig Sams offers an alternative perspective on the culture of prescription drug addiction, saying a natural solution could be more effective in treating depression.

It’s the season to drink and be merry, but there’s a good and a bad side to alcohol. Moderate drinkers have a lower risk of a number of diseases, including heart disease and dementia.

After plenty of research, a lot of consultation and a few rounds of editing, October saw the launch of our Organic Supply Chain Report – a consensus gathered from industry on the challenges and opportunities currently presented in the organic sector.

A couple of young women pitched up at our place recently. We fed them, gave them a twin-bed room and they worked for us for six hours every day, mostly weeding and cutting back brambles on the edge of the orchard. If they had to pay for a B&B it would cost them £700 a week at this time of year so they’re earning, for a 30-hour week, nearly £10 an hour.

Last night, I crossed to the dark side. I unwittingly bit into a bar of chocolate that was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. A bar of Green & Black’s new Velvet Edition; its first product that is neither Fairtrade certified, nor organic.

You have four different types of customer and it is vitally important to understand the differences. In my seminars across the UK and abroad I repeatedly stress this key business principle using an animal analogy. The four types of customer are butterflies, loyal hounds, ‘dumb asses’ and blind bats.