FOOD FOR THOUGHT

5nr. autumn 2012

Book, photographer Peter Menzel travelled the world to capture people’s daily diets. Touching and staggering. The jungle of quality marks, the title speaks for itself. Online food ordering – a trend? Meet Erik: our Logistics Manager. The many qualities of the goji berry – introduction of Goji Juice. We are first on the scene of the goji berry harvest. Koen Klingele: Belgian chocolate specialist. Cranberry harvest 2012 Upcoming trade fairs and the online food market close this extra packed newsletter.

Read on…

Increasingly fewer multinationals are accounting for a greater portion of the food supply chain.

At the same time we notice a clear counter-movement that sees the large business concerns facing increased competition from (very) small-scale initiatives. It is a unique trend in the world of foods. Poverty and failed harvests are creating shortages. On the other hand there is more focus than ever on sustainable and organic foods. It seems as if the notion that we ought to be careful with our resources has entered widespread acceptance.Maybe it has. In any case there are divergent trends in evidence. This newsletter reflects it all, capturing the spirit of our time. Happy reading!Response?

Global, digital or local – just where are we heading?

A very special book about food…Photographer Peter Menzel and author Faith D’Aluisio travel the globe together, documenting news stories. In recent years these stories have increasingly focused on what people eat, such as the recently published WHAT I EAT.

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This, their latest creation, makes a nod to Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days with its subtitle Around the World in 80 Diets.

It is a fascinating book with a consistent formula: a person is photographed next to the food that they consume during one day. The differences are striking, both in terms of the types of food and their calorific content. A Kenian shepherdess has to make do with 800 calories whereas her counterpart in Tibet takes in more than 5000 calories. With some eighty portraits representing 30 nationalities, the book offers an at times staggering

view into the dietary habits of people around the whole world.The Kenian has to make do with a banana, rice and milk. The biggest glutton in the book is a British woman (the Snacker Mum) who manages to consume some 12,000 calories per day.Each interview follows the same format: what does this person eat from breakfast until their last evening snack? Each subject’s vital statistics are provided, such as weight, height and age.In addition to the 80 interviews at the core of this book, some attention is devoted to other aspects of food, through a series of essays by other authors, each focusing on a different aspect of food and food preparation.The authors for the most part shared the lives and foods of their subjects, except in a few cases (drinking urine....)Fascinating! Big size, big impact..., highly recommended.What I Eat, Peter Menze en Faith D’Aluisio. Published by Material World Books and Ten Speed Press.

www.aroundtheworldin80diets.comResponse?

A very special book about food…

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Seeing the wood for the trees:

the jungle of quality marks.There are at least 400 Eco labels in use throughout Europe, spread across 25 product groups, among which food products are the most dominant.Who can make head nor tail of it? How much is the credibility of all those labels at stake?

If there is one thing that this development makes clear, it is this: producers and consumers evidently value sustainably sourced products. But just how deep does that desire run? It is widely known that the average consumer values sustainability but is not prepared to pay much or anything extra for it. Producers and distributors seem to have the tendency to invent ever new ‘green rules’ which are surprisin-gly closely aligned to their own production methods. In other words: opportunism trumps all for now, but on the other hand, the interest is there. It can even be considered a serious interest. Partly for this reason it seems high time to establish a body to curb the proliferation of such labels, because nobody is able to distinguish between all those symbols anymore. For us, this was reason enough to strongly limit the number of quality marks that we carry. See Proliferation of claims II.

Response?

It remains too small-scale to be considered a trend, but it certainly is a growing phenomenon – the sale of fresh food products via the internet. Vegetables, fruit, fish and meat are increasingly being offered online. The vendors are often local producers, but increasingly too we are seeing specialised web shops offering rare ingredients.

Ordering tomatoes or mushrooms online? Everything is possible.On the one hand this is a welcome development, in the sense that even the most isolated families are able to access delicatessen and other exclusive food products. It fits the trend of ordering from the comfort of the sofa and awaiting delivery. On the other hand, a rising phenomenon is to order from home and then collect from some-where – for example a shop or a specialised collection depot. The new ‘The Neighbours’ in the Netherlands is an example of this.

It is a type of shop with an array of lockers. The customer orders online and gives the ‘The Neighbours’ shop as the delivery address. The supplier stores the delivery in one

or multiple lockers and the customer is given a code to open the locker(s).Whilst ‘The Neighbours’ is a Dutch initiative, similar concepts have been developed in other countries. Traditional mail order companies, such as Neckermann, are strug-gling, but countless newcomers are vying to fill the emerging gaps in the market.On one hand this is a logical and democratic development, but there is an environmental impact – the transportation of multiple packages inevitably produces greater CO2 emissions. However, arguably this negative impact may be in part offset by the other trend: consumption of locally produced foods.

Response?

Online food ordering.

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‘Erik speaking’For many readers of this newsletter it is a familiar voice on the telephone: Berrico FoodCompany, Erik speaking...

Erik Hanekamp is Berrico’s Logistics Manager; an important role. Erik forms the linchpin between our sup-pliers, buyers and transporters.Often our clients wish to receive their deliveries as soon as possible and ‘right on time please!’Each year we dispatch countless orders comprising more than 100 different products to hundreds of buyers, so every day presents a new logistical challenge to achieve it all without a single mistake.An extra handicap is the planning. Not ours, but that of many buyers – “We want it today and I was going to place the order yesterday. I didn’t manage to do that but I’d still like to have it delivered today...”This is the type of challenge that Erik is faced with daily. Never a dull moment, nor the feeling that his work is done. Fortunately it does not bother him: With attention and pleasure, Erik takes care of the deliveries.

His calm demeanour can be traced to his earlier career as Logistics Manager at a company dealing in deco-ration products. An entirely different product, but one with similar problems. He worked in the role for 20 years before joining Berrico in 2011 to strengthen our handling of logistical processes. He is our tower of strength / our rock. Erik Hanekamp keeps his head cool under practically any circumstances, but should it become too much for him after all, then he... plays football. The joy of kicking a ball, just as his daughter and his son like to do. His is a true football family. These days Erik is less of a football player and more of a trainer of youth teams. But if work threatens to get a little too pressured, then he has the ball to take it out on.Revitalised, he will pick up the phone tomorrow with: ‘Erik speaking. Your order? It should arrive any mo-ment now...’

And then it does.Response?

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The many qualities of the goji berry, introduction of Goji Juice.The dried goji berry is one of our bestsellers. This Chinese berry, also known as the wolfberry, has a rich history behind it and a promising future ahead of it. Moreover this berry is healthy, tasty and has many applications.It’s no wonder that the interest for this crop has grown significantly in its native China.

Of course there is a downside to this popularity: the fresh goji is an incredibly vulnerable fruit that oxidises as soon as it is touched. As much as people love the fruit so do fungi and insect pests. This makes the temptation to protect the harvest with pesticides considerable. The irony is that the Chinese mainly use the berry in the manufacture of teas and.... medicines. If such medicines are unintentionally ‘en-riched’ with all kinds of additives, then they could lead to some interesting side effects. We want to spare our customers all of this. We stand for healthy and safe fruit. That is why we guide our goji suppliers with great care and – fair is fair – with a critical eye.Quality by itself is not evident, especially not in China. The Goji is an extremely fragile fruit, when it con-cerns the fresh berry by itself.Therefore the selection of the source is essential. It goes without saying that we choose integrity, honesty and purity. We are proud to introduce: Goji juice, aseptic. Freshly processed, directly from the fields, with full retention of flavor and all the other benefits of this versatile berry. Pure juice, not from concentrate, also available in organic quality.One of the finest and most natural export products of China, for the first time in our range. We are happy to provide samples for those who want to taste whether these new products fit their product range and want to develop or enrich their product line with a new ingredient. The aseptic Goji juice is extremely healthy and delicious, multi-applicable and easy to handle. This way we can supply a berry that our customers can confidently add to their fruit juice range – safe in the knowledge that they are offering a very healthy berry. After all, the goji has intrinsic positive properties – perhaps even more than any other berry. That is why we treat it with such care.

Response?

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The exceptional chocolate products of Koen Klingele.The story of a typical niche player.

Belgian artisan chocolate producer Koen Klingele produces chocolate products under the family and brand name Klingele which he distributes worldwide.

The power of the brand lies not only in the sublime flavour – on that level it is far superior to its competi-tors – but in the absence of ingredients. Klingele’s chocolate products are produced without adding sugar, or they are free of lactose (milk). Ano-ther range meets both organic and Fair Trade standards. Koen Klingele, the founder-director of the company, stands for quality and for distinction. His choices differ from the mass producers – he sets himself apart by adding cranberries and blueberries to the chocolate, by dipping dried sour cherries in chocolate, producing delectable results, or by adding mi-niscule pieces of lime to chocolate bars.His organic chocolate is sold to market under the sub-label Green Dream. His sugar-free products are sold under the name ‘Balance’.Klingele’s power lies in his passion for quality and flavour: the sugar-free varities are just as tasty as the organic varieties. With his products Koen Klingele serves the needs of consumers who have to keep their sugar intake low, those who care about the environment and/or the plight of farmers in developing countries. Berrico sells the organic and conventional cranberries, blueberries and cherries that meet Klingele’s quality standards. Klingele products are available in no less than 35 countries; mainly in Europe.

Klingele Chocolade NV also produces for private labels, without compro-mising on its high standards. Koen Klingele is proof that limiting one’s scope can lead to great success. He serves markets that are too small for the mass producers. Numerous gourmets who care about their waistline or sugar intake, follow a lactose-free diet, or are striving for a better world, will thank him for this. Response?

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Cranberry harvest 2012: positive outlook.Just as growers around the globe are complaining of disappointing yields, resulting in part from serious drought conditions, our cranberry growers in Canada are likely to have very little to com-plain about.

We should not count our chickens yet, for the quality and quantity of the harvest cannot be determined until the crop is reaped.Yet the signs are positive. The drought – which Canada did not escape entirely – was fended off by our supplier through irrigation using water from a nearby lake (pictured) that was dug specially for the cranberry cultivation.We were also lucky that the ea-gerly awaited rain showers arrived at a specific, crucial moment, enabling the berries to develop and reach full ripeness.

The prospects are not so good for cranberries from the USA. The drought has taken its toll and it is clear that the growers will not be able to deliver the quantities that they had hoped to.It is too early to draw conclusions, but a level of scarcity looks possible or likely. It is too early to know for certain.Back to Canada. The outlook is that the cranberry harvest will equal that of 2011, which is positive.It is likely that we will be able to supply more IQF cranberries and also more cranberry concentrate, which is highly positive given the increased demand for, and buyers of, these products.It makes sense. The cranberry suits the trend towards more conscious, healthier diets. We count ourselves lucky, not only for this trend, but also for the fact that we will once again be able to meet the increased demand this coming year.To our own trusted quality standard in conventional and organic variants.This means that the producers of the juices, bars, cookies, mueslis and other products that benefit from a flavour boost through addition of our cranberries can rest assured.And so can we.As more and more people lead a healthier lifestyle and choose to buy sustainable, healthy foods, so we continue to grow.There is no better example of a win-win situation. Not in this age. Response?

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Proliferation of labels and claims II

With the greatest respect and understanding for anyone who has, is or will be involved with the creation of a quality label, Berrico FoodCompany is fed up with their proliferation. No matter how well-meaning the initiative may be, we have decided to limit the labelling of our products to the only label that really matters: the European one. The IFS (International Featured Standards) label features on all our products and our organic products are additionally provided with the EU logo for organic foods. Crystal clear, because we do not want to be part of the unbridled proliferation. See also: Seeing the wood for the trees. Response?

Forthcoming trade fairs.Where can you meet us in global company? At the large trade fairs. We attend all the leading European trade fairs. Namely because this is the most efficient way for us to maintain contact with our customers and with many other parties. Trade fairs are also excellent platforms for sharing experiences and gaining new ideas. Over the coming months we will be attending fairs in Paris and Frankfurt. We look forward to seeing you there, at our new-look stand.

Sial: focus on innovative developments.This fair takes place from 21st to 25th October, in Paris. The the-

me is food design and innovation. So, if you would like to be inspired and remain up to date with the latest developments, we welcome you cordially.As usual you will find us in the Canadian pavilion in Hall 4, Stand P 042-1.

Hi Europe, the ingredients network.From 13th to 15th November providers of an array of food ingredients and their buyers will meet each other in inspiring surroundings: in each other’s company. Together with numerous colleagues we will fill the hall of the Messe in Frank-furt.

Should you wish to plan your itinerary in advance, Berrico FoodCompany can be found in Hall 3, Stand B47. We will form part of a collective stand of Canadian companies.

Response?

IFS

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Berrico FoodCompany bvP.O. Box 22968203 AG LelystadNederlandTel: +31 (0)320 266055Fax: +31 (0)320 266050E-mail: info@berricofood.com

Please send us your feedback… We welcome comments and suggestions. We produce this newsletter to inform and inspire you and we are grateful for your input.Do you have some news that may be of interest to our other contacts? Tell us about it and perhaps we can include it on our website or in this newsletter. Do you have criticism? Let us know and we will endeavour to take it into account.Do you have a piece of news that may be suitable to include in this newsletter?Let us know! We welcome feedback!!

Online food market.It may seem absurd to order food products online – and yet it is a method that is in wide use. Wine is a particularly big seller online. Convenience certainly plays a big part, but the element of choice is also important, as price often is too. The www is by definition a platform for price comparisons. In wine-producing country France the discounter Casino sells around one billion Euros worth of wine over the internet.

Aside from wine, many other food products are ordered online – ten years ago 1% of Dutch consumers ordered food products online; a figure that was already higher than 4% in the UK.(Naturally) the trend is rising – in 2010 no less than 15% of Brits bought online, against 7% of the Dutch. For Belgium no figures exist prior to 2006, when the figure stood at 1%. Having only risen to 2% the Belgians remain further behind. The trade press often expresses the opinion that the British are 5 years ahead of the Dutch, who in turn are 5 years ahead of the Belgians.The forecast is that by 2017 some 40% of Brits will regularly order online. Who will they order from?Largely still the supermarkets. In the UK Tesco is the biggest player in this market; in France Casino is big in wine, but Auchan, LeClerc and Intermarché have a wider placement. In the Netherlands Albert Heijn and Plus are the leaders, while Colruyt is dominant in Belgium. Each formula has its own approach to distribution. Apart from home delivery, many chains offer the option to pre-order and collect at a predetermined time. Some chains have set up special drive-in parking lots where the shopping ordered online can be brought to the car and loaded within minutes. Other chains have installed separate collection counters in their branches. By now this online market is worth many billions, but the percentage remains somewhere between 1 and 2% of the whole market. Nonetheless, it is growing fast. See also: Online food ordering

Source: Twinkle. Response?