New products

4. Eco-conscious consuming via veganism and vegetarianism

With the number of people adopting vegan and vegetarian diets and lifestyles, this is an important trend to consider, not just for 2021, but for the future, too.

Whilst this may not seem a cause for concern in terms of hygiene, it can pose a greater risk of crosscontamination. Each dish should not be cooked in the same oils for instance or ingredients stored in the same area of the fridge.

To reduce and prevent this from happening, and to ensure there are no mix-ups, all meat, vegan, and vegetarian dishes should be separated within each order.

Ideally, any allergen, vegan or vegetarian dishes should be delivered completely individually. However, where this isn’t possible, these orders should be placed on top and must be double wrapped, with all other orders underneath.

5. Sustainability

Going digital not only speeds things up for all involved, but it also positively impacts the environment. With more customers and businesses focusing on making sustainable changes to their lives, reducing paper usage and single-use plastic is almost essential.

Following the need to digitise and automate the kitchen, paper-based safety trails are no longer needed, nor relevant (the average food business spends approximately £20 per month, per site, on paperwork printing costs alone).

Embracing sustainable and digital processes would not just benefi t the business by reducing costs, but it would also remove unnecessary paper and thus, waste for both the business and the consumer.

Businesses should look to invest in innovative digital hardware and software that can record all data in a cloud-based system, eliminating the need for paperwork entirely.

An integrated digital system allows businesses to monitor food safety effectively with watertight traceability and accountability, resulting in a reduction in food waste.

It isn’t just about materials and going digital, though. Food businesses in particular need to work hard to ensure less food is being wasted. To do so, this may mean minimising menus as they work to reopen as well as encouraging consumers to recycle packaging properly and effectively if it is a takeaway service.

STOP PRESS

“We’re working to save our sector,” says the Ice Cream Alliance

The Ice Cream Alliance (ICA), the UK’s trade association for the ice cream sector, is mobilising its members, the wider industry and other parts of the hospitality sector to promote their products to all those holidaying in the country this summer. The campaign is called the Great British Ice Cream Staycation and is encouraging businesses of all types and sizes to get involved.

“Ice cream parlours and ice cream vans have been hard hit in this pandemic losing a total of £289million in income in 2020,” commented ICA CEO, Zelica Carr. “And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when you add lost ice cream sales in cafés, restaurants and hotels and the economic impact to businesses along the supply chain – manufacturers, fl avour houses, wholesalers and many others.

“This campaign is not about dictating to businesses how to market their products. It’s about harnessing everyone’s creative fl air and dynamism and providing them with the tools – across digital marketing, PR, infl uencer marketing, POS – to maximise sales and bounce back from a truly horrid twelve months. We are providing marketing materials, guides and templates free to everyone who wants it – not just to ICA members.”

Between 8 March and 11 March 2021, the ICA surveyed its members on the effects of the pandemic on business in 2020, revealing that 90 ice cream parlours have closed in the last twelve months and that 800 mobilers had ceased trading over the same period. However, the government’s Furlough Scheme has been a life saver for many businesses with up to 62% of staff furloughed at some point during the pandemic. Zelica Carr added: “The ICA was founded just after the Second World War to promote a fl edgling sector during the post-war years. The ice cream industry successfully expanded since then but has faced its biggest threat since the war from the pandemic. We felt the ICA had to play a major role in helping our sector to recover and fl ourish again.” ‘The Great British Ice Cream Staycation – ice cream smiles, today, tomorrow and always’ campaign is all about reminding people what a delicious, fun, happy and affordable treat ice cream is and what iconic childhood memories it generates.

To download the FREE Great British Ice Cream Staycation DIY Marketing Toolkit or to fi nd out how your hospitality, tourism business or trade association can get involved, visit www.icecream.org/webform/great-british-ice-cream-staycation

Get accurate

energy bills with smart meters

Avoid estimates and only pay for what you use. Ask your energy supplier if you are eligible for a smart meter.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly challenging for businesses across Great Britain. As fi rms begin opening up amid continuing restrictions, many are assessing their fi nancial situation and focusing on how to operate in this diffi cult new trading environment.

In these uncertain times, many businesses are looking for ways to save money and maintain a healthier bottom line. The good news is that getting a smart meter for your business is a small change that could make a big difference.

Smart meters are a great way to gain more control and understand how much energy you’re using. Since energy is a key expense that businesses factor into their outgoings, identifying ways to reduce your consumption could help you save money.

Smart meters are available for many businesses. Depending on your circumstances, your smart meter could come with an In-Home Display (IHD), which will enable you to see up to date consumption in pounds and pence, making it easier to visualise how much energy you actually use. In fact, some business owners who have had one installed said it highlighted areas of spending they weren’t even aware of. This could give you the information you need to help reduce your consumption and therefore save money.

On top of that, smart meters can help save you time. They can automatically send meter readings to your supplier, so you no longer have to. That’s one less thing on your to-do list!

Your energy supplier will be ready to fi t your smart meter once your eligibility has been confi rmed. They will arrange a date and time that is suitable for you and your business requirements. A trained installer will then call round to your premises and fi t your smart meter, and after the installation process is complete, they can show you and your staff how it works and answer any questions you might have about it.

Contact your energy supplier about eligibility for your business.