Meat consumption in schools, hospitals, universities and care homes will be reduced by a fifth thanks to a new commitment from public sector caterers. The initiative – 20% Less Meat – could represent the most comprehensive united action on sustainable menus the industry has ever seen, according to campaigners. LACA, ASSIST FM, HCA, NACC, TUCO…

Some foodservice businesses have started to reopen a handful of outlets, offering takeaway services and in some cases free meals to NHS workers. Many popular high street chains had planned to keep operations open for takeaways and deliveries but concerns over staff safety forced most to close their doors. That was three weeks ago. Some…

A survey of 290 plant-based and vegan menu items from 45 different restaurants, cafés and fast food chains has revealed that one in five dishes contain more than the recommended total daily salt intake (6g) for an adult. The research, carried out by nutritionists at Action on Salt, based at Queen Mary University of London…

The coronavirus crisis has brought out the very best in the foodservice and hospitality industry. Already known for its resilience and flexibility, the sector has responded to the obliteration of ‘business as usual’ by reinventing entire business models in the space of weeks or even days. Pubs and restaurants have transformed themselves into takeaways. Fast-food…

Small businesses including restaurants and caterers face bankruptcy within a month unless banks step up to provide government-backed loans to help them through a period of lockdown. In a week when the foodservice and hospitality sector continued to adapt to the coronavirus crisis, research found that nearly a fifth of all small and medium-sized (SME)…

Campaigners are demanding that vouchers for use in place of free school meals should be supplied over the Easter holidays after the government said it would provide them for term time only. On Tuesday, the Department for Education published updated guidance for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals whose schools are closed or only…

Businesses have announced a raft of new measures as the food sector recalibrates to cope with the fallout from the spread of coronavirus. Across the country, restaurants are switching to delivery services of pre-prepared meals to cook at home after the government said that planning rules will be relaxed so that pubs and restaurants can…

Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will not be introduced until July 2022 due to the impact of coronavirus. The Scottish Government has moved swiftly to delay the ‘go-live’ date by 15 months from the planned date of April 2021 following consultation with stakeholders. Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said the delay would give businesses more time…