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

Major expansion of Free School Meals announced

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Free School Meals will be accessible to more childrenThe government has expanded Free School Meal provision to over half a million more children, in a major win for campaigners. From the start of the 2026 school year, every pupil whose household is on Universal Credit will have a new entitlement to Free School Meals, which the government said will put £500 back into parents’ pockets every year.
ESG Drysdale expands Asda local asparagus supply

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

ESG Drysdale has expanded its asparagus supply in AsdaVeg supplier ESG Drysdale has extended its locally grown asparagus to more than 60 Asda stores across the North East of England. The supplier was formed in 2024 following the merger of two of Scotland’s leading fresh produce organisations, East of Scotland Growers (ESG) and R&K Drysdale, and then began supplying asparagus to Asda stores across Scotland.
Tesco launches ‘ripen at home’ bananas

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Tesco’s ripen at home bananasTesco has added a new range of ‘ripen at home’ bananas to give shoppers a more flexible option. The move – aimed at cutting down food waste in the home – gives consumers more flexibility to plan for the week ahead by adding a shelf life of around four days. The ‘ripen at home’ bananas will be sold in a pack held together by an adhesive band with clear instructions. They will be priced at 78p for five fingers, the same price Tesco charges for ripe bananas.
Spar Scotland launches Big Deals of Summer

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Spar Scotland has launched its multi-channel Big Deals of Summer campaign to attract shoppers and deliver value throughout the summer months. Head of marketing at Spar Scotland, Paula Middleton, with the campaign-branded vehicleLaunching in all Spar stores in Scotland and running during June, July and August, the campaign features a range of headline summer deals across all core convenience categories. A wider variety of promotions will rotate across the three months to continue the momentum.
Aldi to donate proceeds from tomato sales to Teenage Cancer Trust

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Aldi has teamed up with Teenage Cancer Trust in a fundraising drive aimed at supporting young people facing cancer. Aldi’s Piccolato tomatoesIn a two-week fundraising initiative starting from Monday 2 June, proceeds from sales of the supermarket’s 220g Specially Selected Piccolato Tomatoes will contribute to an expected £25,000 donation for the charity. The funds will help Teenage Cancer Trust continue its vital work supporting young people aged 13-24 who are diagnosed with cancer.
Applicant call for £2k farming ‘Snapshot Studies’

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Hannah BuismanImage: NFU MutualThe Farmers Club Charitable Trust (FCCT) is calling for ‘Snapshot Study’ applications from anyone in the farming sector seeking funding to study a specific topic or theme.
UK apple growers target Vietnam in new export push

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

BAPL executive chair Ali CapperBritish Apples & Pears (BAPL) has approved seed-funding investment for an inward trade mission from Vietnam. The trade visit by representatives from Vietnam is a key step in opening what would be a new market for British-grown apples, according to the trade body. BAPL has been running a dedicated export grower group to explore potential markets for premium, larger-size British apples for the past few years.
Jason Kelly named new COO at Branston

3 weeks ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Jason Kelly has joined Branston as its new chief operating officer. Jason Kelly, COO at BranstonKelly, who has more than 25 years’ experience in senior roles, was previously vice president of global manufacturing for bakery giant Krispy Kreme. He has a track record of transforming the operational processes of national and international businesses, which he said he hopes to replicate at Branston.
Jenney slams government over ‘redundant’ border infrastructure

1 month ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

Fresh Produce Consortium CEO Nigel Jenney has hit out at the government over its latest U-turn on post-Brexit border checks, demanding clarity, compensation, and common sense as businesses count the cost of now-redundant infrastructure. Port operators want compensationJenney said it is impossible for the industry to prepare due to a lack of adequate information and void of confidence in the government. “We’ve already, as an industry, shown commitment,” he said.
Applications open for three new OFC directors

1 month ago | fruitnet.com | Michael Barker

The Oxford Farming Conference (OFC) has opened applications for three new individuals to join the board and support the future development of the major agricultural event. Current OFC26 directors and retired OFC25 directorsLaunched in 1936, OFC is known for its high calibre of speakers, international perspectives, broad thinking, exceptional networking, and significant political and societal announcements, shaping the future direction of UK agriculture.