MARKET NEWS

Are you ready for the new food waste legislation?

New food waste legislation, known as the ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms, is coming into effect

in England from 31 March 2025.

It’s intended to streamline and simplify the recycling of waste, improving the existing

recycling system. It is applicable for businesses as well as for public sector organisations in

England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland already have their own legislation in place.

Those businesses and organisations producing more than 5kg of food waste per week will

be required to store food waste in separate bins and arrange for collection by licensed waste

collectors. And, importantly, biodegradable materials such as vegetable peelings, bones,

eggshells, coffee grounds and tea bags are to be included as food waste.

Connect have suppliers in place to make sure you can be compliant and avoid any penalties.

Contact your Sales Manager to discuss options.

Foot and Mouth Outbreak in Germany:

The UK has become the latest country to ban the import of live animals and meat from

Germany in an effort to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease after the virus was

detected in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin.

It is Germany's first outbreak of foot and mouth in 36 years and has seen the precautionary

slaughter of 55 goats, sheep and cattle on a farm in Brandenburg state that had purchased

hay from the buffalo farm. Currently there is only one confirmed case.

It is very important to know that the viral disease poses no risk to human or food safety but is

highly contagious in cloven-hoofed animals such as cows, sheep and pigs.

Our suppliers have assessed their supply chains to make sure supply is uninterrupted.

COMMODITIES REPORT

Produce Update:

Due to the recent cold weather across Europe, several key produce lines, including

Aubergines, Courgettes, Peppers, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes, are being affected. As a

result, we are seeing some volatility in prices, growers being more lenient with specifications

and some inconsistency in quality.

Please be assured that we are closely monitoring the situation daily with our suppliers, who are actively sourcing the best available quality at the best possible value for you.

If you would like to discuss alternative options or need further information, feel free to give us

a call. We're here to help you navigate these challenges and find the right solutions.

Fruit & Vegetables:

January brings with it a range of delicious root vegetables and brassicas from the UK and tangy citrus fruits from Spain. Many key home-grown UK products will have enjoyed the harder frosts we have experienced as this raises the starch levels and intensifies flavour. Savoy cabbage is a wonderful option, as are parsnips and butternut squash. Salsify, also known as oyster plant due to its flavour, can offer an interesting alternative root veg.

Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb has just arrived and is now in season.

Spanish citrus options include:

• Seville Marmalade oranges – the season is very short, so make use of these while you can.
• Blood oranges – unique colour and flavour
• Nadorcott – current option as an easy-peeler
• Pink Grapefruit – flavour-packed and beautiful colour
  

Fish:

Salmon prices are expected to continue to rise through January as farms stop harvesting over the Christmas period and availability tightens. Historically, farmers

tend to reduce harvests as the waters cool and the fish stop feeding (and therefore growing). However, prices appear lower than last year.

Fresh water & Sea reared Trout can offer a good alternative to salmon at the moment. Their disease resilience and lower mortality rates has meant that a number of salmon farmers have moved over to farming trout instead.

Shortage of Cattle:

The price surge in beef is largely due to reduced cattle availability for slaughter,

creating an imbalance between supply and demand. Key factors for this shortage

include:

• Declines in cattle herds from disease, farming changes, or environmental pressures.

• Weather conditions impacting feed availability for sustaining large herds.
  

Seasonal Recipe Suggestion

This Broccoli, Blood Orange and Blue Cheese Salad uses the best seasonal ingredients for a delicious winter salad.

Broccoli, Blood Orange & Blue Cheese Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 large leek, trimmed and sliced
• 300g Purple sprouting broccoli
• 2 Blood Oranges
• 2tsp Dijon Mustard
• Olive Oil
• 80g Mixed Salad Leaves
• 2 Celery Sticks
• 75g Blue Cheese
• 70g Walnuts, toasted & chopped
  

Method:

Step 1

Place the leeks into boiling water and simmer for 3-4 minutes, until just tender. Remove with

a slotted spoon and leave to one side to cool.

Step 2

Fill a large bowl with cold water. Boil the broccoli for 3 minutes, until tender. Drain and plunge straight into the bowl of cold water to cool. Remove and keep to one side.

Step 3

Zest the oranges. Remove the skin from the oranges with a sharp knife. Over a bowl, remove the segments from their membrane, catching any juice in a bowl as you work and squeezing the juice from what remains.

Step 4

Make a dressing by whisking 2 tablespoons of the orange juice with the mustard. Slowly whisk in 3 tablespoons of olive oil, until you have a thick, emulsified dressing. Alternatively, put everything into a lidded jar and shake like crazy to bring it together. Season to taste.

Step 5

Gently mix the salad leaves, celery, leeks, broccoli and orange segments with enough

dressing to coat.