In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a range of bread made with regenerative agriculture-derived flour. We also have desserts, Valentine's Day doughnuts, a new range of fully loaded brownie tray bakes, and a new version of that classic snack, the pork scratching. Finally, one brand is introducing 'blank' cans to help drinks producers streamline their supply chains.
Image source: GettyImages/Yagi Studio
In this week's NPD Trend Tracker, we have a range of bread made with regenerative agriculture-derived flour. We also have desserts, Valentine's Day doughnuts, a new range of fully loaded brownie tray bakes, and a new version of that classic snack, the pork scratching. Finally, one brand is introducing 'blank' cans to help drinks producers streamline their supply chains.
Image Source: Yagi Studio/Getty Images
Artisan bakery The Bread Factory and food and farming company Wildfarmed, both UK-based, have teamed up to produce a range of breads. The breads are made using regenerative agriculture techniques, which aims to regenerate the land through farming practices and is growing in popularity.
The range of four breads are made with Wildfarmed’s flour, which is produced using regenerative agriculture practices conforming to Wildfarmed’s own regenerative standards (there are currently no universally accepted standards of regenerative agriculture). The partnership aims to provide a market for wheat made by farmers using regenerative practices.
The launch has also generated interest from the food industry, including from Michelin-star chefs to prominent national accounts.
“For us as bakers, great farming practices lead to great bread. That’s why we care about the entire supply chain journey. From how farmers and the soil are treated, to prioritising the nutritional value of wheat and how it’s milled,” said Anomarel Ogen, head exec baker at The Bread Factory.
“With Wildfarmed, we can support a more sustainable way of farming that not only treats farmers well, but produces good quality, no ‘cide wheat that creates nutritious, sustainably sourced and delicious bread. We want to grow the market and drive demand for farmers working hard to supply regeneratively farmed wheat.”
“Wildfarmed wheat fields are full of birds, bees and bugs - they’re full of life. By choosing to include Wildfarmed flour in their range of breads, The Bread Factory will actively be contributing to transforming huge areas of British farmland into healthy regenerative fields,” added Edd Lees, Wildfarmed’s co-founder.
“Teaming up with The Bread Factory to support them in their mission to play a positive role in improving the food chain system is a huge milestone for Wildfarmed. We’re delighted to be able to work with The Bread Factory to make food grown from regenerative systems more widely available.”
Image Source: The Bread Factory
Friday 26 January was 'Australia Day', and UK-based but ‘Australian conceived’ coconut milk ice cream brand Over the Moo has celebrated its strong ties to its country of origin by sending out samples of its product.
Over the Moo first rose to prominence after featuring on the Australian version of Dragon’s Den and is now honouring it origin story, as well as the end of Veganuary. They are also partnering with swimwear brand Budgy Smugglers to market the product.
“In the UK our ice cream chunks come in a snug-fitting pack that holds more than one might imagine, which made us think that Budgy Smugglers, the last word in seaside couture would be the perfect partner for our Winter sampling push because top-notch ice cream consumption shouldn’t be confined to Summer!” said UK spokesperson Simon Goodman.
Image Source: Over the Moo
It’s that time of year again. As couples everywhere get together to celebrate Valentine’s Day, doughnut brand Krispy Kreme has released its Valentine’s Day range.
Launching its doughnuts in Valentine’s-themed heart shapes, the range includes raspberry-flavoured ‘You colour my world,’ ; chocolate-flavoured ‘I love you a-choco-lot’, finished with rose frosting; ‘Without you I’d crumble,’ filled with cookie dough cream and topped with cookie crumbs; and feature-pack exclusive strawberry-flavoured original glazed, ‘Such a sweetheart.’
“People aren’t just craving delicious doughnuts, they crave connection, and our new collection satisfies both needs,” said Emma Colquhoun, chief customer officer for Krispy Kreme UK and Ireland. “A dozen Valentine’s Day doughnuts in our custom Dough-Notes dozens box is the perfect gesture to show someone special in your life how much you love and care about them.”
The doughnuts come at an RRP of £3.25 each, except the original glazed which is a feature pack exclusive. They are available in Krispy Kreme shops from 29 January until Valentine’s Day.
Image Source: Krispy Kreme
Just Desserts Yorkshire has announced that it is adding to its existing tray bake range with new ‘fully loaded’ brownies.
The three brownies – loaded Oreo brownie (with cookies and cream buttercream), loaded caramelised biscuit brownie (with Lotus Biscoff cream), and loaded Malteser brownie (with soft fudge icing and white chocolate blossom) – are now available from food services at £17.80-£18.50 per tray, with an RSP of £2.50 per portion.
Image Source: Just Desserts Yorkshire
Germany-based digital printing company NOMOQ has announced it will release 'blank' cans, drinks with no packaging designs, for use by industry. The blank cans will join the company’s printed cans.
The product, according to NOMOQ, can allow drinks producers to streamline their supply chains, enhancing traceability. By buying packaging from a single warehouse, it suggested, producers would be able to reduce transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
“We are excited to launch this new service after listening to customer feedback requesting more packaging options from one supplier,” said NOMOQ co-founder Patrick Schweizer.
“Aluminium cans are one of the world's most recycled beverage packaging and a shining example of a circular economy in action, and we are happy to offer our expertise to a wider group of customers whilst offering more to our current customers. Ordering a wide range of beverage cans 24/7 has never been easier and the service will be fully integrated on our platform in the coming weeks.”
Image Source: NOMOQ
UK brand Made for Drink has released its own version of the classic bar snack pork scratchings. These pork scratchings, or ‘Iberian Pork Chicharrones’, were initially sold in upmarket supermarket retailer Fortnum and Mason and the Metropolitan pub estate, and now look to appear in supermarkets, delis, food halls, farm shops and garden centres around the UK.
“Traditionally in the UK a pork scratching is a full-bodied, intensely flavoured treat that requires some significant jaw work. My inclination was to build upon our strong Spanish ties forged during the creation of our award-winning Chorizo Thins and use highly-prized Iberian pork. By adopting the Spanish preference for cooking the pork rind twice, the second time at a much higher temperature the pork skin inflates, taking on an altogether more airy, melty texture,” said Made for Drink founder Dan Featherstone.
Image Source: Made for Drink
