
Michael Barker
Contributing Editor at Fresh Produce Journal
Journalist at Freelance
Journalist, editor and speaker, specialising in food and farming
Articles
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2 days 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.
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2 days 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.
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2 days 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.
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4 days 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.
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5 days 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.
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Olympic star champions fruit and veg at Festival of Fresh https://t.co/Hc9NxVp0A5

RT @chrisfruitnet: 🇬🇧 🍓 🍏 🍌 First marquee going up for our #FestivalofFresh! It’s going to be a great day! More than 250 fresh produce peop…