Michael Barker

London

Contributing Editor at Fresh Produce Journal

Journalist at Freelance

Journalist, editor and speaker, specialising in food and farming

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Articles

Terry Jones to step down as NFU director general

1 day ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Terry Jones will step down as NFU director general in 2026 after a decade in the role, the union has announced. NFU president Tom Bradshaw described Jones as “a superb leader” who has steered the NFU through one of the most challenging periods for the industry. “We will miss his wise council, inspiring leadership of our staff, his deep knowledge of food and farming, and his understanding of the workings of Whitehall and Westminster,” he said.
Asda trials nudge shoppers towards healthier eating

2 days ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Fresh produce is set to receive a boost at Asda after the supermarket announced a trial of health-led initiatives across 10 stores. Asda is running the trial in 10 storesAsda, which is rolling the trials out over the coming 12 weeks, said it was making the move to reduce barriers to health and encourage customers to make healthier choices.
SFI scheme reopened to thousands of farmers

3 days ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

The NFU has announced a significant win in its efforts to reverse Defra’s decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme to new entrants. The NFU has fought against the closure of the SFI schemeDefra has agreed to reopen the SFI 2024 scheme to around 3,000 applicants, after a group of NFU-backed farmers threatened litigation over its decision to close the SFI without notice.
Government ‘retaking decision’ to close SFI scheme

3 days ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

The NFU has announced a significant win in its efforts to reverse Defra’s decision to close the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme to new entrants. The NFU has fought against the closure of the SFI schemeThe farmers’ union says that a threatened legal challenge that it co-ordinated, which asserted that ministers had acted illegally in suddenly closing the 2024 SFI scheme without notice in March, has forced the government to rethink.
Planet Farms gains first UK listing in Waitrose

6 days ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Waitrose has begun stocking its first vertically farmed salad range in the shape of Planet Farms’ Fresh Everleaf. It represents the first time the Italy-based firm’s products are available in the UK, and comes at a time of expansion for the company. In April the certified B Corp announced an investment in excess of £25mn into a 20,000 sq metre UK facility that will supply Waitrose directly.
Greenvale’s net-zero targets approved by SBTi

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Greenvale has committed to ambitious emissions-reduction targetsGreenvale has secured validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for its 2045 net-zero targets. The SBTi is a collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project, the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Ex-Total Produce boss Denis Punter joins SoilPoint

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Former Total Produce chairman Denis Punter has been appointed non-executive chair at SoilPoint Humic Co.The company which develops soil solutions for sustainably intensive farming, also announced the appointment of Susan Lowther as chief financial officer and executive director, as it accelerates plans to scale the business.
Sun warning for horticulture workers as survey reveals cancer risk

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

A new survey has highlighted the risks of skin cancer among the horticulture workforce. Workers are advised to wear hats and sleevesSome 12 per cent of respondents to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and Plant Network said they had been diagnosed with some form of skin cancer. The survey was designed to examine awareness of skin cancer and attitudes to sun safety from those working in the horticulture industry.
Innovation and demand ‘driving frozen food sales’

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Frozen food sales are in good growthFrozen food is riding high on a wave of innovation and consumer demand, according to a panel of food and drink experts. The group – speaking during an industry panel hosted by inventory management software provider Unleashed – noted that the category grew by nearly 12 per cent in 2023/24, generating more than £8 billion in grocery sales. It is no longer just for the budget-conscious but attracts shoppers looking for quality products too, the experts claimed.
Major certification boost for Port of Dover Cargo

1 week ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

The Port of Dover Cargo has been certificated to BRCGS Global Standard Storage and Distribution for Category 01, Chilled and Frozen Food in the Temperature Controlled Storage Standard. Port of Dover Cargo TerminalThe BRCGS Global Standard is an internationally recognised benchmark that assures customers and stakeholders of rigorous compliance with food safety and quality management practices, the port explained.