Fred Searle
Fred Searle is a staff writer for FPJ and Eurofruit.
NewsNuffield Scholar joins Red Tractor to review food safety standards
Barbara Bray MBE appointed chair of Red Tractor Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee to enhance food safety standards
NewsFestival of Fresh 2025 attracts top retail buyers
A number of Britain’s biggest grocers will be at FPJ’s summer festival on 5 June for a day of top-level networking, insightful interviews and festival fun
NewsNew direct air link set to boost Ugandan exports to UK
Ugandan Airlines route furthers country’s export push as growers level up to access international markets
NewsGolden Kings potatoes set sights on foodservice success
All-rounder potato brand from Greenvale connects with influential chefs and food writers by hosting five-course meal at London’s Sky Garden
NewsHeartwarming Chinese photo wins top prize at World Food Photography Awards
Picture by Chinese photographer Xiaoling Li is the overall winner, while veteran NCGM photographer takes home Outstanding Achievement Award
NewsDriscoll’s opens cutting-edge new UK headquarters
Company says revamped site is Europe’s largest dedicated berry development facility, providing a fully traceable journey from seedling to packhouse
NewsHugh Lowe Farms trials polytunnel solar panels
Electric Berry project powers farm tools and equipment using flexible solar panels attached to top of its polytunnels, with no extra land required
NewsBritish Berry Growers report calls on government and retailers to step up
Detailed report highlights uncertain economic outlook and calls for better support on retail returns, labour, planning permission, and funding
NewsFrugality is secret ingredient in shaping sustainable diets
University of Portsmouth study finds that personal values are more likely to inspire sustainable food choices than warnings about climate change or health
NewsNFU calls for government to prioritise water in spending review
Climate Change Committee report sparks warning that UK is ill-prepared for future flooding
FeaturesNew app a ‘game-changer’ for farm management
Jon Stewart, the main man behind MeritAgCheck, tells FPJ how the new app is revolutionising farm management and simplifying health and safety
NewsFrom Brittany, with pride
Prince de Bretagne’s product manager Pierre Gelebart explains how the collective brand allows small-scale market gardening to continue to thrive
NewsEast of England Co-op trials new date brand
Datekin looks to position itself as “quick and sustainable energy boost” through trial at selected stores in East Anglia
NewsFrench plum production set to rise
National trade body predicts 17 per cent increase in production with leading southwest region expected to meet ‘normal’ volume potential
NewsEuropean apricot volumes to return to normal after bumper 2024 crop
Hail in Italy and Greece set to bring down volume in 2025, but French production expected to return to 2019-23 average after slump last year
NewsFrench organic sales growing again after difficult period
Supermarket saw biggest sales decline after shrinking their organic ranges in response to changing consumer behaviour
NewsAngus Soft Fruits boss publishes report on growing share of value chain
John Gray’s Nuffield Farming study highlights potential of gene-editing, data-driven production and new markets to help growers improve returns
NewsOcean pollution is UK shoppers’ biggest plastic concern, study shows
Microplastics and their impact on oceans and waterways is biggest concern among British consumers regarding plastic packaging, research shows
NewsSunny spring bodes well for British berry season
Plentiful sunshine sparks optimism as growers look ahead to start of UK soft fruit harvest
NewsNewcastle Uni launches agrifood net zero tracker
Reporting data website is first of its kind in the agrifood sector, according to its creators