The Chilled Food Association’s innovative project to nurture the next generation of chilled food scientists, Chilled Education, has seen off stiff competition to be declared the Food and Drink Federation’s (FDF) Education Initiative of the Year 2014.

The awards recognise outstanding achievement and ambitious achievement across the industry and attracts hundreds of entries from companies ranging from independents to multi-nationals. At last night’s ceremony CFA Director Kaarin Goodburn MBE received the award from TV and radio newscaster Katie Derham.

At the ceremony the assembled audience, which included some of the food industry’s leading figures, heard how Chilled Education (CEd) aims to inspire the next generation of chilled food scientists. Working with industry and education specialists it raises awareness of careers in the chilled food industry amongst teachers and schoolchildren and supports food science students.

FDF Awards Judges declared CEd to be: ‘the most impressive entry’, ‘especially inspiring – really innovative approach and great connection with their intended audience. Loved it!’ Impressed that it is: ‘concerned with the importance of the recruitment pipeline which is instrumental in developing their outreach strategy’ they concluded it to have ‘the most impressive size/effect ratio’.

Other shortlisted entries in the category, which was sponsored by Food Matters Live, included Coca Cola Enterprises, KP Snacks and Nestle UK Ltd.

Kaarin Goodburn explains: “The FDF Awards proudly showcase the ‘industry’s best and brightest’, recognising existing talent and working to secure the future success of the food sector. Which is exactly what CEd is also doing, and is why this award means so much. We are delighted to be recognised by them.”

“This year CFA celebrates its 25th year. In that time we have guided, championed and innovated an industry that has grown from a market worth of £550m to a current value of £11.4bn. Yet the relative invisibility of the chilled food sector means it is often overlooked as career choice amongst scientists and technologists. This means that there are currently around 350 science and technology graduate-level degree-requiring vacancies unfilled. We’re gratified that our approach, bringing together industry and education professionals and taking innovation into the classroom is already having a very positive effect.”

CEd is currently working with 940 teachers in more than 600 Cool Schools, engaging with more than 50,000 students. Its resources (donated by CFA) are hugely popular, with 85,000 fridge thermometers and 25,000 Nanobug temporary tattoos sent out since 2011. Free CEd lesson plans have been downloaded more than 15,000 times. The website has attracted almost 32,000 page views, the careers pages are most popular. And CEd has sponsored 34 summer school students and has already placed its first students.

The lesson plans for teachers have been developed by CFA in partnership with the Design and Technology Association, the professional association representing those involved in design and technology education and associated subject areas.

The Trade Association Forum (TAF), the association for UK trade associations, has presented its Sector Representation Award to CFA for its Chilled Education initiative. TAF Awards recognise, reward and promote best practice amongst Trade Associations and CFA’s chairman Des Kingsley, MD of S&A Foods received the Award on behalf of CFA on 10 July 2014.

Chilled Education (CEd) was launched in September 2011. Its aim is to inspire the next generation of chilled food scientists. Working with industry and education specialists it raises awareness of careers in the chilled food industry amongst teachers and schoolchildren and supports food science students.

Kaarin Goodburn, CFA Director explains: “Representing the sector is the primary role of a trade association so we are delighted to have been honoured by this award. CFA members have been involved in both the creation and delivery of CEd, visiting schools; and careers and science fairs to inspire and inform students and teachers with their own sector experience.

As CFA celebrates its 25th year this award is especially gratifying and confirms that we are helping to secure the future of the sector by spotting and fuelling the spark!”

Des Kingsley added: “The relative invisibility of the chilled food sector means it is often overlooked as career choice amongst scientists and technologists. In real term this means that there are currently around 350 science and technology graduate-level vacancies unfilled. So we are addressing the issue at source and already seeing positive results.”

Speaking about their decision the TAF Judges said: “CFA have undertaken a huge amount of work to impact positively on the massive skills shortage in the chilled foods industry. A brilliant submission outlined a very clever and appealing campaign which uses collaborative working with members to great effect. CFA spent their very limited resources wisely and now have a great long term view of the problem which will no doubt pay dividends.”

CEd is currently working with 900+ teachers in more than 600 Cool Schools, engaging with more than 50,000 students. Its resources (donated by CFA) are hugely popular, with 85,000 fridge thermometers and 25,000 Nanobug temporary tattoos sent out since 2011. Free CEd lesson plans have been downloaded more than 14,000 times, attracting 10,000 page views on the TES website. The website has attracted 27,000 page views, the careers pages are most popular. And CEd has sponsored 34 summer school students and has already placed its first student.

In 1989 the contents of chill cabinets and fridges across the country were different. Fast forward 25 years and, while some things haven’t changed – the milk, cheese and juices are still there – they’ve been joined by other items. They now sit alongside ready to reheat and ready to eat meals, prepared salads, fresh soups and many other chilled foods.

Whilst we are all familiar with these innovations, the companies behind them largely remain anonymous. They produce own label brands for all the major supermarkets and many other outlets. And they work together to promote their internationally acclaimed standards of excellence through the Chilled Food Association, CFA.

Described at the time as “A New Association for a New Generation of Food’ CFA has represented the chilled food industry through its rapid evolution from a sector with a market value of £550m to the present day – where the market value in 2013/14 exceeds £11.4bn.

True to its mission “To promote and defend the reputation, value and sustainability of the professional chilled food industry through the development and communication of standards of excellence in the production and distribution of chilled food” the CFA has enjoyed an event-filled quarter century:

1989

CFA launched 9 May at the International Chilled Food Fair. Under the chairmanship of Dr Tony Baird-Parker CFA publishes first ever guidelines for industry supported by its accreditation scheme and the creation of EFSIS to carry out independent auditing. The Guidelines and accreditation were launched by Rt Hon David Maclean, the Minister for Food Safety on 14 December. UK market in chilled food worth £550m.

1990 

A year of concerned headlines put the spotlight on microwave cooking, leading to changes in how oven performance was categorised, with CFA playing its role in the science. And in the following year…

1991 

The Food Safety Act came into force, use by dates first appear, with CFA involved in key meetings. The European Chilled Food Federation (ECFF) was established, with CFA as a founder member.

1992 

CFA continues to strengthen links with Whitehall, meeting senior ministers. Holds presidency of the ECFF.

1993 

Temperature control regulations published, with 5ºC or below stipulated. The second edition of the CFA’s Best Practice Guidelines is published.

1994 

CFA gives evidence to Ministers opposing relaxation of temperature control regulations requiring certain chilled foods to be stored at or below 5ºC.

1995 

On 1 January CFA became independent of the FDF (Food and Drink Federation). It establishes working groups focusing on the Environment and Distribution.

1996 

In a year when food is once again under the spotlight CFA takes an active role in the Government’s Food Safety Awareness Week.

1997 

The 3^rd Edition of Best Practice Guidelines is published and endorsed by M&S, Safeway, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.

1998 

CFA gives evidence to Commons Agriculture Committee on food safety as part of Government’s preparation for the establishment of the Food Standards Agency (FSA).

1999 

The first CFA hand washing poster is produced, it proves to be a favourite not just across the industry but amongst teachers, Environmental Health Officers and many others. CFA also publishes its guidance on water quality, packaging hygiene guidelines and also launches its first generation website.

2000 

ECFF VTEC and Agriculture report presented to the European Commission. UK market worth £5bn.

2001 

The CFA site visits programme is started. The Food Industry Panels Group is established, working with other associations to identify best practice in the use of composite panels, minimising fire risk in factories.

2002 

First editions of CFA’s Hygienic Design Guidelines, Microbiological Guidance for Growers and Pesticides Due Diligence published. UK market worth £6bn

2003 

Fire Risk Minimisation Guidance published and taken up as basis of preferential insurance solution targeting compliant sites. UK market worth £6.6bn.

2004 

CFA £100k LINK research project on pathogen attachment initiated.

2005 

CFA secures EU agreement for risk based policy approach to Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in food. CFA publishes Guidance on the EU Microbiological Criteria for Foodstuffs Regulations (2073/2005) developed with British Retail Consortium and with FSA input. CFA’s Guidance on Microbiological Testing and its Interpretation also published. UK market worth £7.4bn.

2006 

4th edition of CFA Best Practice Guidelines published. CFA successfully lobbies for rejection of an FSA proposal to limit shelf life of chilled foods from 10 days to 5 days.

2007 

CFA announces the £750k SUSSLE (SUStainable Shelf Life Extension) project, supported by Defra. SUSSLE investigated the effects of heat processing on spore-forming pathogens, specifically non-proteolytic C. botulinum to define a milder heat process than previously recommended, ensuring a safe shelf life for prepared chilled foods whilst reducing energy usage. UK market worth £7.7bn

2008 

CFA secures change in FSA advice to consumers to no longer advise re-washing of pre-washed leaf. Kaarin Goodburn awarded the MBE for services to the food industry and appointed to the UN FAO/WHO Leafy Green Vegetables and Herbs Expert Group. CFA plays key role in securing international recognition at the CODEX Committee on Food Hygiene for the EU’s regulatory approach on Lm in food. SUSSLE begins.

2009 

CFA Chilled Prepared Food Sector Sustainability Aims agreed, focusing on energy, waste and water. UK market worth £10.1bn.

2010 

CFA/BRC/FSA ‘Guidance on shelf life establishment of ready to eat foods in relation to Lm‘ published.

2011 

Chilled Education launched to secure future of industry. CFA works with education and industry experts to produce a suite of classroom resources including free lesson plans and hands-on practical items – all designed to inspire and enthuse future generations of food scientists. UK market worth £10.6bn.

2012 

SUSSLE achieves its intended aims and is awarded the highest possible score by Defra’s Advanced Food Manufacturing LINK Programme Management Committee (PMC).

2013 

The £530k SUSSLE2 project supported by Technology Strategy Board begins. UK market worth £11.4bn. Chilled Education website expanded in response to interest and demand from teachers.

2014 

Chilled Education reports successful student placements. It is now working with more than 600 teachers in around 900 ‘cool schools’ and bringing the industry closer to thousands of young people at careers and science fairs. Market worth £11.4bn.