Posted by admin on October 30, 2020 · Leave a Comment
The Veganuary campaign has announced more than one million people have taken part since it began six years ago.
The campaign, where people pledge to try vegan for 31 days, was forged on a kitchen table in York by a husband and wife team, and official participant numbers have grown year on year from 3,300 in 2014 to 400,300 signing up in 2020.
Matthew Glover, co-founder and Chair of Veganuary, commented: “When my wife, Jane, and I decided to launch a new year’s vegan pledge in 2014, we expected only 1,000 people to take part. More than 3,000 signed-up and we were blown away. Now, Veganuary is a bigger feature in the retail calendar than Christmas, reflecting the ever-increasing number of people choosing plant-based food.”
Toni Vernelli, Veganuary’s International Head of Communications, added: “At a time when many feel helpless about the state of the world, Veganuary offers people a way to take positive action. Reaching the one million milestone in the middle of this pandemic shows it’s exactly what many people need right now.”
Posted by admin on October 22, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sales of organic have grown by an impressive 9.5 per cent during 2020, marking the largest rise since 2006.
The Nielsen data, which is taken up to October 3, 2020, far exceeds last year’s 4.5 per cent growth, which made the market worth £2.45bn. The newly released data suggests the market will be worth £2.6bn by the end of the year, surpassing the £2.5bn forecasts.
The data shows that the 9.5 per cent growth far beat non-organic, which grew 6.6 per cent in the same time period. Dairy continues to be the biggest category, with the new data showing 4.6 per cent growth and now worth £450m. Produce was also in growth, up 10.8 per cent to now be worth £401m. Other areas of growth included canned and packaged, up 16.6 per cent to now be valued at £299m and meat, fish and poultry, up 12.5 per cent and now worth £183m.
Data also included sales figures for the month of September, revealing the success of the Organic September campaign, which increased organic sales through supermarkets by 12.5 per cent for the four week period, again outperforming the trend in non-organic sales at that time, according to Nielsen.
Announcing the news at the Soil Association Certification’s virtual Organic Trade Conference this week, its Trade Consultant, Finn Cottle, commented: “We are in such unusual, really anxious and insecure times, and my three decades in the food retailing industry, I have to say it’s probably the most change I have seen with regards to market growth and market structure. But it has worked really well for organic. We have just had the latest Nielsen figures and whereas at the end of last year, we recorded 4.5 per cent increase growth for organic, for the supermarkets to October 3, we have actually achieved 9.5 per cent growth.
“This is the highest growth there has been in over a decade and it certainly means our target of £2.5bn for this year is going to be surpassed and we should reach 2.6bn. £2.6bn is a bit of a milestone because it means £50m per week will be purchased as organic during 2020.”
Cottle also highlighted the difference between the organic and non-organic market.
“Organic products have been outperforming non-organic equivalent. That 9.5 per cent is compared to 6.6 per cent for non-organic products for the same time period. Produce is now six percentage point ahead on organic compared to non-organic, meat, fish and poultry is four percentage points ahead and chilled foods are a whopping 30 percentage points ahead,” she commented.
Referring to the specific categories, Cottle continued: “Dairy and produce are the engine rooms for organic, and they are also the entry points for organic. And between them, they account for over 50 per cent of total organic sales. Over all food and drink, organic has about 1.6 per cent share so can see the importance of the dairy and produce category at 3.5 and 3.7 per cent share of sales.”
Addressing changing shopping habits in light of Covid, Cottle referred to research from Soil Association Certification and The Crow Flies
“There is reduced confidence in shopping in-store and in particular there has been a fall in top-ups. We have heard about the much-publicised surge in online shopping, which has really forced a lot of shoppers to think differently and to search out new ideas,” she commented.
“Some of those new ideas have been searching for box schemes or looking for meal solutions and this is requiring our organic businesses to be so agile to adapt the business models and we have seen some great examples of that. There has also been the desire for self-sufficiency and the appreciation of food, return to cooking at home, growing our own, and I think what it’s all leading to is shoppers have got more time on their hands to make more important choices. Research has shown us there is more thought about food choices and that means people are thinking more about where their food comes from and that is all boding very well for organic.”
In terms of why, the research has revealed that 15 per cent are willing to pay more for organic, and that the most common reasons for buying were no pesticides, better for the environment, perceived better quality and tastes better, among others. Ad interestingly, these attitudes have only strengthened – the percentage of shoppers who agreed buying organic produced products is good for sustainability was 41 per cent prior to Covid and is now at 50 per cent.
Cottle continued: “It gives us a lot of confidence that organic is not only performing well during this crisis but its potential to perform well is very high. Why is the time right for organic? More than ever it is a signpost for health, in these times, whenever consumers/shoppers are worried about their own personal health, they are searching it out and hopefully they will continue to do so. It’s an assurance of quality and great taste produced to the highest standards and again, consumers and shoppers want that assurance when they are feeling quite insecure in the general sense.”
Speaking after the conference, Clare McDermott, Business Development Director at Soil Association Certification, commented: “With consumer habits shifting and people prioritising choices that are good for the environment and biodiversity, organic stands out for its benefits of transparency and integrity. With more people than ever understanding these connections, I think the sector has a lot to feel proud of – and confident about. The time for organic is definitely now.
“It’s also great to see this year’s joined-up Organic September campaign, with it’s simple message ‘nature has the answer’, has had such a strong impact, increasing organic sales across the board, including a 12.5 per cent rise in supermarkets.”
- Look out for the winter issue of Organic & Natural Business for a full report from the virtual conference.
Posted by admin on October 15, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sponsored –
Crawley Wasps are delighted to announce a partnership with local natural skincare company skin:genius.
The deal sees Crawley-based skin:genius sponsor the club’s entire youth section, as well as first-team player Megan Stow. All eight youth teams this season will be wearing the club’s new Macron kit with skin:genius’s logo on the sleeve.
Skin:genius produces a range of 100% natural and organic skincare products specifically formulated to prevent and reduce breakouts, spots and acne-prone and oily skin.
Its multi-award-winning range comprises a Cleansing Face Wash, Leave-On Purifying Gel and Soothing Moisturiser. All are packed with active botanical ingredients that work with the skin to cleanse, soothe and moisturise.
Julia Vearncombe, founder of skin:genius, said: “We are really pleased to become part of the Crawley Wasps family. We are local to the team’s home ground and look forward to supporting from the sidelines this season.
“Their flourishing youth section of more than 100 players is providing a pathway to the top for talented girls, and it’s energising to see them all training and playing.
“On the pitch, young girls’ skin goes through a lot with the combination of wind, rain, sun and sweat. All that needs to be cleansed away gently but thoroughly. Off the pitch, teenage girls in particular may have to tackle acne, spots and oily skin and that’s where our products can really help.”
Dave Connor, Wasps’ head of youth, said: “The girls and youth-team managers are thrilled to have the support of Julia and a forward-thinking, innovative and local business firm like skin:genius.”
First-team midfielder Stow added: “I’ve been fortunate to try the skin:genius range and I absolutely love it, I don’t think I could go without now.
“It’s also lovely to have the support of a local business, with a founder who believes in good skincare that’s easy to follow.”
For more information on skin:genius, visit www.skin-genius.co.uk.
Posted by admin on October 1, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sponsored
The Great British Bake Off is back on our screens and we’re celebrating with some simple, healthy switches you can make, so you can have your cake and eat it!
Tree of Life Organic Agave and Coconut Syrups are a great way to add a little natural sweetness to bakes, cakes and recipes, without the blood sugar spike traditional cane sugar can cause, as they have a lower glycaemic index. Made from the nectar of the Mexican Agave plant Tree of Life Agave Syrups are reassuringly organic and don’t have the unpleasant side effects many artificial sweeteners can have. What’s more they’re 1.5 times sweeter than table syrups, so less is needed, plus they’re perfect for vegan lifestyles in place of honey.
For a malty, rich sweetness Tree of Life Coconut Syrup hits the mark and is ideal for use in baking cookies and cakes or simply drizzled over desserts and porridge. Made from the nectar of the coconut palm Tree of Life Coconut Syrup is also certified organic and ideal for vegans.
Tree of Life’s range of Organic Coconut Oils can easily be switched for animal fats such as butter and lard, making them healthier and perfect for plant-based diets. The medium chain fatty acids have a number of health benefits plus there’s a choice of Extra Virgin Coconut Oil which has a lovely, light coconut taste or Odourless Coconut Oil, perfect for savoury baking.
Save 20% on Tree of Life Syrups and Coconut Oils in October. Spoons up!
Posted by admin on October 1, 2020 · Leave a Comment
Sponsored
ORGANIC & VEGAN SUITABLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Introducing an award-winning new range of kimchi, with taste and goodness just the way it should be.
Using authentic Korean family recipes, Roots of Kimchi is the perfect partnering of Korean heritage and modern British production. With Korean and British founders, authentic family recipes are recreated in small batches by Korean chefs, delivering a taste experience unbeknown to the UK until now.
Available in small and large glass jars, Roots of Kimchi’s range includes authentic vegan cabbage and vegan radish products at its core, and there’s even a range of kimchi for kids to encourage a little more veg into children’s diets! (grownups will also love!).
Kimchi was invented in Korea, and the vast benefits of authentic kimchi have been enjoyed by Korean people for generations. This heritage is imperative to ensuring that Roots of Kimchi deliver the very best kimchi possible to its customers.
Already recognised as a winner in the ‘Janey Loves’ Platinum awards, Roots of Kimchi’s products are proving a very popular health food and are being stocked by wholesalers and healthfood stores alike.
We’d love to work with you! Please contact us for further information…..
helen@healthandwholefood.com
Organic & Natural Business magazine
