Ice cream makers in the East Midlands are being given a cool opportunity to find ways of boosting their bottom line and increasing profits.
The Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) is running a project to show ice cream manufacturers how they can reformulate their products using local, more cost-effective ingredients.
Instead of using ready-mixed ingredients, which are often imported from places like Italy, the manufacturers are testing to see if they can make ice cream that’s just as good, if not better, by reformulating their products with more locally sourced ingredients.
This could save thousands of pounds every year on the cost of raw materials, said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.
Now the team is looking for more ice cream manufacturers from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland to take part in the project.
“Small, relatively new, ice cream producers usually start their business using several branded ready-mixed ingredients in order to enter the market place quickly and easily,” said Richard Worrall. “These products are of good quality but some, for example, are currently manufactured in Italy, imported and sold via wholesalers. The cost of these ingredients is significant and influenced by exchange rates.
“Several ice cream producers have requested support in finding alternatives that, ideally, are available locally, are cheaper and enable production of similar or better quality ice cream. We are very pleased to be able to launch a project which will help this sector of the food industry in the East Midlands to become more profitable and more sustainable.”
Food experts at Nottingham Trent University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences have been hired to show the manufacturers how they could reformulate their quality ice cream products using basic raw materials instead of buying ready-mixed ingredients.
They are working with ingredients specialists regionally and nationally on the project.
Mike Dixon, senior lecturer in Food Science at Nottingham Trent University, said: “We are already in contact with a number of small and medium-sized ice cream manufacturers in the region – illustrating alternative ingredient options, how to use them without compromising on quality and how to find these ingredients – but we would be very pleased to hear from any others who are interested in finding out how they could potentially create cost savings for their businesses.”
The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims to encourage innovation in the region’s food and drink sector through new ways of working, new product development and the introduction of new processes.
With advisors working across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, it links academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The ice cream project is one of its Collaborate to Innovate initiatives which seeks to develop and deliver projects to enable groups of small and medium-sized enterprise businesses in the food and drink supply chain in the East Midlands to work collaboratively amongst themselves and with other key partners to overcome common problems by introducing innovation into their companies and improving their economic and competitive performance.
The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food or contact the iNet via info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Friday, 9 September 2011
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Croots Farm Shop hands over donation to Derbyshire children's charity Treats
A £1,200 cheque has been handed over to Derbyshire children’s charity Treats after a sponsored walk by staff at Croots Farm Shop, near Duffield.
The staff clocked up 66 miles by walking up and down the farm shop’s driveway to mark the third birthday of Croots.
Now the proceeds have been collected and handed over to Treats, which will use the money to help underprivileged children with support for gifts, holidays and trips away.
“We are very grateful for the support of Croots Farm Shop, its staff and its customers who have donated to Treats,” said Elaine Blount chairman of Treats.
Croots, based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, has chosen Treats as its adopted charity for the past two years. It also supports the Shire Horse Society.
“We are happy to help a local charity like Treats, which has been doing good work in Derbyshire for 25 years now,” said Steve Croot, who runs the farm shop. “We wanted to mark our third birthday by giving something to our local community, and we are very grateful for the support received from our loyal customers.”
Since being launched by a group of professional Derbyshire businesswomen more than 25 years ago, Treats has raised more than £500,000 to help local underprivileged youngsters, with some cash also going to community projects.
Pictured left to right, Vicky Ashton, Elaine Blount, Candy Sutton, from Treats children’s charity, and Steve Croot, from Croots Farm Shop.
For more information visit www.croots.co.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR firm Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Eighth generation baker promotes wedding cakes from Luke Evans Bakery, Derbyshire, to brides and grooms of the future
For generations, Luke Evans Bakery in Derbyshire has been supplying centre-piece wedding cakes to happy couples throughout the county.
Now, eighth generation baker Sarah Yates has taken on the role of promoting and selling wedding cakes to the newly-weds of the future.
She’s been appointed wedding cake advisor at the company, which is based in Riddings near Alfreton, and was founded in 1804.
As part of her role, Sarah will be attending a host of wedding fayres in September and October.
The bakery has been making wedding cakes for newly-weds for generations and has a delicious range that includes everything from traditional to modern celebration cakes.
Elegant or extravagant, customised or conventional ….Luke Evans’ highly specialist cake decorators can make dreams come true and provide a truly memorable wedding-day centrepiece.
The company will be showcasing its range and its bespoke offering at the following wedding fayres:
Sunday September 11th between 11am and 4pm - Alfreton Leisure Centre
Sunday September 18th between 11am and 4pm - The Derbyshire Hotel, at South Normanton, near junction 28 of the M1
Sunday September 25th between 11am and 4pm – Derby Conference Centre, London Road, Derby
Sunday October 2nd between 11am and 4pm - Mickleover Court, Mickleover, Derby
Sunday October 9th between 11am and 4pm - Kedleston Hall, Derby
Saturday October 15th between 11am and 3.30pm - Horsely Lodge, Horsely
Sunday October 23rd between 11am and 4pm - Derby Assembly Rooms
Sunday October 30th between 11am and 4pm - Horsely Lodge Open Day at Horsely
“No two weddings are the same, so no two wedding cakes will be the same, and we just love working in partnership with couples to create a cake that they’ll be proud of,” said Sarah Yates, the eighth generation of the Luke Evans family to work in the business.
“We’ve supplied wedding cakes to generations of newly-weds in Derbyshire and we are looking forward to meeting the brides and grooms of the future to talk them through the various options when it comes to wedding cakes.”
Luke Evans Bakery sells direct to the public from its shop in Green Hill Lane and supplies around 300 trade customers, including shops, schools, delis and Pride Park – the home of Derby County Football Club.
Fully trained craft bakers operate 24 hours a day turning out breads, cakes and savoury products.
Luke Evans Bakery can also make stunning cakes for every occasion… from weddings and birthdays to special anniversaries and retirements.
For more information contact the bakery on 01773 602764 or visit www.lukeevans.co.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Tickets go on sale for Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2011
Tickets have now gone on sale for the Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) Innovation Awards ceremony.
Guest speaker for the event, held at Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, Nottingham, on November 17th will be food critic Jay Rayner.
The winners of the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2011 will be announced at the ceremony, which has now become a regular date on the calendar of the food and drink sector in the East Midlands – attracting guests from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.
“The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards ceremony is an excellent chance to keep up to date with the latest innovations in the sector and to network with others in the industry,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.
The Innovation Awards, which are being held for the fourth year, aim to reward some of the most exciting innovations in the East Midlands food and drink industry.
Previous winners have included the development of a new material for food and drink packaging that featured non-leaching and antimicrobial properties, the invention of modified salt crystals to create a more intense flavour from less salt and thus allow a reduction in salt used in manufacturing, and the development of a sweet-tasting broccoli.
They have gained a string of benefits after scooping an accolade in the annual awards including media exposure, raised profiles in the industry and the chance to network with those who work in the sector.
The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards have three categories open to firms, organisations and individuals working across the food and drink sector. They are - Most Innovative Food and Drink Business, Most Innovative Business Supplying into the Food and Drink Sector and Most Innovative Research Project.
The Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011 will be chosen from the winner of the three categories.
Entries need to be submitted by September 30th. Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk.
Tickets to the awards ceremony cost £65 plus vat each or £650 plus vat for a table of ten, and are available by calling 0115 9758810.
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four iNets, it has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.
It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.
The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.
For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Guest speaker for the event, held at Nottingham Conference Centre, Burton Street, Nottingham, on November 17th will be food critic Jay Rayner.
The winners of the Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards 2011 will be announced at the ceremony, which has now become a regular date on the calendar of the food and drink sector in the East Midlands – attracting guests from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland.
“The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards ceremony is an excellent chance to keep up to date with the latest innovations in the sector and to network with others in the industry,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall.
The Innovation Awards, which are being held for the fourth year, aim to reward some of the most exciting innovations in the East Midlands food and drink industry.
Previous winners have included the development of a new material for food and drink packaging that featured non-leaching and antimicrobial properties, the invention of modified salt crystals to create a more intense flavour from less salt and thus allow a reduction in salt used in manufacturing, and the development of a sweet-tasting broccoli.
They have gained a string of benefits after scooping an accolade in the annual awards including media exposure, raised profiles in the industry and the chance to network with those who work in the sector.
The Food and Drink iNet Innovation Awards have three categories open to firms, organisations and individuals working across the food and drink sector. They are - Most Innovative Food and Drink Business, Most Innovative Business Supplying into the Food and Drink Sector and Most Innovative Research Project.
The Campden BRI Innovation Champion 2011 will be chosen from the winner of the three categories.
Entries need to be submitted by September 30th. Forms are available to download from the iNet section of the Food and Drink Forum website www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk.
Tickets to the awards ceremony cost £65 plus vat each or £650 plus vat for a table of ten, and are available by calling 0115 9758810.
Funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Food and Drink iNet co-ordinates innovation support for businesses, universities and individuals working in the food and drink sector in the East Midlands. One of four iNets, it has developed an effective network to encourage the collaboration of academic expertise and knowledge, and local food and drink business innovation needs.
It aims to build on the tradition of innovation in the food and drink industry in the region by helping to create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills, and to help research, develop and implement new products, markets, services and processes.
The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by The Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. It is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, with advisors covering the East Midlands region.
For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Monday, 5 September 2011
Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network) serves up support for East Midlands chocolate makers
Chocolate producers in the East Midlands could soon have a new piece of equipment to help them save time and money, thanks to support from the Food and Drink iNet (Innovation Network).
Each morning, small chocolatiers have to wait around an hour for the chocolate to reach the right conditions before they can start work.
Now the Food and Drink iNet has brought together engineers and academics to create a cost-effective solution to the problem, and is calling on small chocolate companies in the East Midlands to come forward if they’d like to be involved in the project.
“Small chocolatiers, working with relatively small chocolate tempering equipment, find that they spend at least the first hour of each day waiting for that day’s chocolate to reach the correct conditions for working,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall. “This is related to melting and subsequently carefully cooling the chocolate to keep it in perfect condition. For all staff involved, this represents wasted production time of at least one hour each per day. Multiplied up per week and then per year means that a significant amount of time is wasted.
“Several companies have requested support in developing equipment, ideally from a local source, that will enable them to carry out the chocolate tempering process in such a way that the chocolate is ready for production when they start work in the morning.”
The Food and Drink iNet is working with food scientists in the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University and engineers at MCE Engineering Ltd in Derby on a Collaborate to Innovate initiative to develop a bolt-on piece of equipment that chocolatiers could use.
Mike Dixon, senior lecturer in food science at Nottingham Trent University, said: “MCE Engineering Ltd has designed some equipment and created a prototype, which has been successfully trialled at one of the chocolatiers involved in the project. We’re hoping that this can be added to existing chocolate tempering equipment and then lead to increased productivity, profitability, sustainability and planned growth of these companies.”
Any small or medium-sized chocolate companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland who are interested in taking part in the project should contact the Food and Drink iNet via info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
The Collaborate to Innovate initiatives seek to develop and deliver projects to enable groups of small and medium-sized enterprise businesses in the East Midlands food and drink supply chain to work collaboratively amongst themselves and with other key partners to overcome common problems by introducing innovation into their companies and improving their economic and competitive performance.
The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims to encourage innovation in the region’s food and drink sector through new ways of working, new product development and the introduction of new processes.
With advisors working across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, it links academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food or contact the iNet via info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Each morning, small chocolatiers have to wait around an hour for the chocolate to reach the right conditions before they can start work.
Now the Food and Drink iNet has brought together engineers and academics to create a cost-effective solution to the problem, and is calling on small chocolate companies in the East Midlands to come forward if they’d like to be involved in the project.
“Small chocolatiers, working with relatively small chocolate tempering equipment, find that they spend at least the first hour of each day waiting for that day’s chocolate to reach the correct conditions for working,” said Food and Drink iNet director Richard Worrall. “This is related to melting and subsequently carefully cooling the chocolate to keep it in perfect condition. For all staff involved, this represents wasted production time of at least one hour each per day. Multiplied up per week and then per year means that a significant amount of time is wasted.
“Several companies have requested support in developing equipment, ideally from a local source, that will enable them to carry out the chocolate tempering process in such a way that the chocolate is ready for production when they start work in the morning.”
The Food and Drink iNet is working with food scientists in the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences at Nottingham Trent University and engineers at MCE Engineering Ltd in Derby on a Collaborate to Innovate initiative to develop a bolt-on piece of equipment that chocolatiers could use.
Mike Dixon, senior lecturer in food science at Nottingham Trent University, said: “MCE Engineering Ltd has designed some equipment and created a prototype, which has been successfully trialled at one of the chocolatiers involved in the project. We’re hoping that this can be added to existing chocolate tempering equipment and then lead to increased productivity, profitability, sustainability and planned growth of these companies.”
Any small or medium-sized chocolate companies in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland who are interested in taking part in the project should contact the Food and Drink iNet via info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
The Collaborate to Innovate initiatives seek to develop and deliver projects to enable groups of small and medium-sized enterprise businesses in the East Midlands food and drink supply chain to work collaboratively amongst themselves and with other key partners to overcome common problems by introducing innovation into their companies and improving their economic and competitive performance.
The Food and Drink iNet, which is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), aims to encourage innovation in the region’s food and drink sector through new ways of working, new product development and the introduction of new processes.
With advisors working across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, it links academic and private sector expertise and knowledge with local food and drink business innovation needs.
The Food and Drink iNet is managed by a consortium, led by the Food and Drink Forum and including Food Processing Faraday, Nottingham Trent University, the University of Lincoln, and the University of Nottingham. For more information visit www.eminnovation.org.uk/food or contact the iNet via info@foodanddrink-inet.org.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Free exporting event for East Midlands food and drink firms
East Midlands food and drink manufacturers are being invited to discover how they can gain a slice of the export market by tapping into overseas opportunities.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is staging a free event that will turn the spotlight on the best ways to harness export orders.
Export is currently top of the government’s growth agenda, and according to UKTI, academic research confirms that exporting companies are more productive than non exporters, achieve stronger financial performance, and are more likely to stay in business.
The event takes place at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday September 27th from 9am to 1.30pm.
It will focus on a range of issues such as how to enter new export markets, including where current opportunities lie, the options for getting products into the market, paperwork and labelling implications, and how to ensure payment from customers.
Aimed at small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, the session will also feature workshops, a case study presentation and networking opportunities.
“This is the perfect event for East Midlands food and drink manufacturers who are thinking of exporting or who have just started to tap into overseas markets,” said Bob O’Meara, international trade adviser for UKTI.
“It will provide a good insight into how to enter new export markets, including which countries are currently growth areas. There is a good deal of help and support available for firms that are keen to export, and attending this event could be the first step towards opening new doors and creating new opportunities for expansion.
“I would urge any small or medium-sized food or drink manufacturer in the region that’s thinking of exporting to attend.”
For information or to book, call 0115 9758810 or email jo.taylor@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk
UKTI is the government department that works with UK-based companies to ensure their success in international markets, and encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is staging a free event that will turn the spotlight on the best ways to harness export orders.
Export is currently top of the government’s growth agenda, and according to UKTI, academic research confirms that exporting companies are more productive than non exporters, achieve stronger financial performance, and are more likely to stay in business.
The event takes place at Newark Showground, Nottinghamshire, on Tuesday September 27th from 9am to 1.30pm.
It will focus on a range of issues such as how to enter new export markets, including where current opportunities lie, the options for getting products into the market, paperwork and labelling implications, and how to ensure payment from customers.
Aimed at small and medium-sized food and drink manufacturers from Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland, the session will also feature workshops, a case study presentation and networking opportunities.
“This is the perfect event for East Midlands food and drink manufacturers who are thinking of exporting or who have just started to tap into overseas markets,” said Bob O’Meara, international trade adviser for UKTI.
“It will provide a good insight into how to enter new export markets, including which countries are currently growth areas. There is a good deal of help and support available for firms that are keen to export, and attending this event could be the first step towards opening new doors and creating new opportunities for expansion.
“I would urge any small or medium-sized food or drink manufacturer in the region that’s thinking of exporting to attend.”
For information or to book, call 0115 9758810 or email jo.taylor@foodanddrinkforum.co.uk
UKTI is the government department that works with UK-based companies to ensure their success in international markets, and encourages the best overseas companies to look to the UK as their global partner of choice.
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
Green Toilet Company opts for Sherwood Truck & Van vehicle
Based in Braithwell, South Yorkshire, the Green Toilet Company has been supplying portable toilet, washroom and shower facilities to sites and events throughout the country for many years.
As well as being delivered and collected from sites, all units need to be maintained in use, and for that, the Green Toilet Company has just taken delivery of an Iveco Daily 35C15 with a chassis-mounted pumper unit.
Supplied by Sherwood Truck & Van, Highfield Lane, Sheffield, this features a dual-purpose body built by Rapide Tankers of Full Sutton, York. Behind the cab is a twin- tank unit - one to carry 180 gallons of waste, the other to transport 100 gallons of fresh water. The former carries the waste pumped from a cubicle in use; the latter refills it with clean, fresh water for flushing, hand-washing or showering.
Over the rear axle is an aluminium bed, designed to carry two portable toilet cubicles.
“Daily’s the ideal vehicle for our needs,” said Green Toilet Company managing director Jim Proudley. “It’s tougher and harder-wearing than most vans in its class, yet it gives all the comfort and reliability a driver needs to ensure that we can deliver - and take away - what we’ve promised.
“And Sherwood are the ideal dealer too. We’ve dealt with them for several years now, and we find they’re dependable, reliable and straight-forward. Business doesn’t have to be complicated, and they go out of their way to support us when and where we need that support.”
Sherwood Truck & Van is part of West Bromwich-based Guest Trucks, one of the UK’s largest independently owned commercial vehicle dealers and the single largest Iveco distributor.
Helen Waterfall, regional director responsible for the four Sherwood locations at Sheffield, Nottingham, Etruria near Stoke, and at South Normanton, Derbyshire, said: “We are very pleased to have once again supplied the Green Toilet Company with a vehicle that is perfect for the firm’s needs.
“The company takes a proactive approach in ensuring that the facilities they provide are both clean and pleasant to use, and protective of the areas in which they’re sited, and we are delighted to be helping them to achieve this.”
Sherwood Truck & Van is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.
For further information visit www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com or www.guests.co.uk
Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk
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