CFA members redistribute millions of surplus food items, including chilled ready meals, sandwiches, desserts, pies and soups. Since CFA began to collect data in 2017 to the end of 2024 more than 63.5m (63,534,964) meals (measured in 450g units) have been redistributed by Members. In 2024 alone 12.7 million meals went to those in need through partners including Company Shop and FareShare. While this figure was up by 300,000 on the previous year, this was a smaller increase than in the previous year. Dr Rachel Hackett, CFA’s Sustainability Consultant explains why fewer meals redistributed is good news for sustainability: “Whilst […]

In April 2023 CFA launched its Shopify website as an easily accessible information source for industry, schools and anyone interested in the chilled food sector. The site has everything from CFA’s world-renowned guidance documents for the production of chilled food to practical resources for schools, around three quarters of which are free to download. Charlotte Patrick CFA Operations Manager explains: “We’re delighted to say that the site is increasing in popularity with more people looking at the site and browsing what we offer.” Karin Goodburn adds: “It’s pleasing to know that we are providing something people want – whether they […]

Red Tractor (RT), the UK’s largest food and farm chain assurance scheme, has brought together a refreshed Fresh Produce Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and is focusing on high-risk produce. A new Working Group (WG) of the TAC has also been established and met for the first time in June. Its priority is developing additional elements to RT’s main fresh produce standard, addressing high-risk produce, e.g. salad leaf, based on requirements specified in CFA’s Microbiological Guidance for Produce Suppliers to Chilled Food Manufacturers (4th edition, MGG4). The aim is for usable guidance to be ready for the 2026 season under the […]