supermarkets – Page 19 – The NEN

Aldi Scotland most awarded retailer at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards

This year’s inaugural Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards saw Aldi enjoy enormous success as the most-awarded supermarket, winning an impressive 19 accolades for a variety of its high-quality Scottish food and drink.

After almost three weeks of intensive judging involving hundreds of products and more than 60 expert judges from across the food and drink sector, a range of Aldi’s Scottish products from various food and drink categories were announced as the winners.

As well as scooping three Gold Awards in the beer, gin and spirit categories, Aldi also took home two of the six highly sought-after Platinum Awards for their Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie and 12-Year-Old Speyside Whisky. Both products were described as being “well-balanced”, “exceptional value for money” and of “absolutely outstanding quality”.

Helen Lyons, Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards Co-Founder, said: “My congratulations go out to all our winners and a big well done to Aldi for their sweeping success this year, which is thoroughly deserved. Their championing of Scottish produce is so clear.

“The Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards recognises and celebrates the best produce available in Scotland. Our goal has always been to get more Scottish food and drink products onto more shelves, and it has been such a joy to see the high standard of entries this year.

“Receiving a Scottish Retail Food and Drink Award is a stamp of excellence. Aldi should be very proud of their many successes this year, especially their two Platinum Awards.”

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, added: “I am thrilled that 19 of our Scottish products have been recognised by the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. Our success really demonstrates our commitment to providing our customers with the best quality produce that Scotland has to offer at an affordable price.

“I am also so pleased that Aldi has been highlighted as leading the way in Scottish sourcing. The awards and this recognition are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our Scottish suppliers.”

Aldi leads the way with local sourcing and stocks some of the finest quality food and drink from over 90 Scottish suppliers. After reaching their initial goal of stocking over 450 Scottish products by the end of 2020, the supermarket has now increased this target to stock over 500 locally sourced products in the next two years.

The complete range of Aldi Scotland products that have won at the 2021 Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards are:

ALDI Scotland Product Winners	Category	Retail Price
12-year-old Speyside Whisky	Platinum Award – Drink	£20.99, 70cl
Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie	Platinum Award – Food	£1.99, 250g
Toradh	Gold Award – Gin	£14.99, 70cl
Eidyn	Gold Award – Gin	£19.99, 70cl
Anti A	Gold Award – Beer	£1.19, 330ml
Rubus	Gold Award – Beer	£1.25, 330ml
12-year-old Speyside Whisky	Gold Award – Other Spirits	£20.99, 70cl
Specially Selected Sundried Tomato, Lentil & Smoked Paprika Soup	Store Cupboard	£0.75, 380g
Specially Selected Chicken Balmoral	Ready Meals & Accompaniments	£3.79, 465g
Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie	Quiches, Pies and Pasties	£1.99, 250g
Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus 36-Day Aged Ribeye	Steak	£4.89, 227g
Specially Selected Black Pudding	Haggis, Black & White Pudding	£0.99, 200g
Specially Selected Scotch Aberdeen Angus Dry Aged Steak Burger	Burgers and Sausages	£2,49, 340g
Ginger, Chilli and Lime Infused Scottish Salmon Fillets	Fish	£2.99, 220g
Specially Selected Jersey Milk	Dairy	£0.95, 1l
Specially Selected Scottish Vintage Cheddar	Cheese	£1.25, 200g
Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Biscuits	Biscuits – Sweet	£1.69, 200g
Specially Selected Oatcake Bikes – Lockerbie Cheddar	Biscuits – Savoury	£0.99, 175g

Aldi’s Specially Selected Lemon Shortbread Rounds were also Commended in the Biscuits – Sweet category.

Brewtiful: Aldi unveils line up for Spring Scottish Beer Festival

The 23^rd annual in-store festival is bringing together thirteen of the best breweries from all corners of Scotland.

Aldi has revealed the line-up for its 23^rd annual Scottish beer festival, which will showcase 30 exceptional craft beers from thirteen breweries across the country, with prices starting at just £1.39.

Kicking off in-store on Thursday (29^th April), the festival comes just in time for the bank holiday weekend. The breweries featured span the length and breadth of Scotland in a deal worth over £110,000 to those involved.

Aldi’s Scottish Beer Festival will celebrate the vast range of beers, lagers and ales brewed across Scotland, including products from Loch Lomond Brewery, which was named Brewery of the Year at the 2020 Scottish Beer Awards.

The line-up includes 26 new products, including wheat beers, stouts, IPAs and pale ales, as well as the return of four customer favourites, including Bellfield’s Bohemian Pilsner and Fyne Ales’ Hurricane Jack.

Multi-award-winning brewery Fierce Beer will also have nine of its craft beers featured in the festival. Fierce Beer won ‘Breakthrough Brewery’ back in 2017 and most recently received 14 awards at the 2020 Scottish Beer Awards, including gold awards for Split Shift and Café Racer, which both feature in Aldi’s festival line-up.

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Our Scottish Beer Festivals always give our customers something to look forward to and I have no doubt that this year’s will do the same.

“While we hope that many people will be able to get down to their local for the first time in quite a while this bank holiday weekend, the next best option is to support your local brewery at our Scottish Beer Festival.

“We are immensely proud of the strong partnerships we have built with local breweries in Scotland, and I am certain that our customers will enjoy discovering some quirky new brews at everyday Aldi prices.”

The Aldi Scottish Beer festival, will take place in all 96 Scottish stores from Thursday 29^th April. You can find your nearest Aldi here.

Morrisons tackles period poverty with ‘Package for Sandy’

– ‘Package for Sandy’ was created by Morrisons Community Champion, Emma Parkinson, in response to period poverty at her local store in Bolton –

– Initiative now available at 497 stores –

– 125,000 sanitary products to be distributed to local charities nationwide by Morrisons Community Champions –

Morrisons is helping to fight back against period poverty by rolling out ‘Package for Sandy’ – a service available for customers in need who can access a discreet package of sanitary protection products – across all its 497 stores after a store colleague in Bolton came up with the idea to help vulnerable customers.

The ‘Package for Sandy’ initiative was created and launched by Community Champion, Emma Parkinson, who saw the need for the service in her local area. The initiative is now being rolled out nationwide across all Morrisons stores in the UK in a bid to beat period poverty.

Customers in need can now go to any Morrisons customer service desk nationwide and ask for a package for ‘Sandy’ or a ‘period product pack’. The customers will then be given a free discreet envelope with sanitary products and no questions asked.

The package is made up of a brown paper bag with two single sanitary towels.

Emma, who works at the Morrisons Bolton Atlas store, came up with the idea in response to the issue of period poverty. The ‘Package for Sandy’ offers discreet support for those who may be in emergency need or are struggling for sanitary products.

Emma Parkinson, Community Champion at Morrisons Bolton Atlas, said: “Period poverty is a real problem and going to a school in a predominantly low-income area gave me an insight into what it’s like to have no access to sanitary wear.

“It’s shocking that young girls and women go without sanitary products through no fault of their own so I’m really pleased that we at Morrisons can help to support those in need across the whole of the UK.”

Following the success of the recent Buy One Donate One campaign on sanitary products, Morrisons is also donating 125,000 sanitary products which will be distributed to local charities by community champions nationwide.

For more information visit www.morrisons.co.uk.

#letsendperiodpoverty

Aldi donates 12,088 meals to Lothian charities over the Easter School Holidays

Local charities in the Lothians helped Aldi donate 12,088 meals to people in need over the Easter school holidays.

The supermarket paired up its stores with local charities, community groups and foodbanks to donate surplus food, prioritising donations to those focused on feeding children.

Around 36 tonnes of food were donated throughout Scotland, with more than 61,000 meals, including over 47,500 meals for children, donated to causes supporting families and children in need.

The donation is part of Aldi’s commitment to donate 10 million meals across the country in 2021, in partnership with community giving platform Neighbourly.

So far this year, Aldi stores across the UK have already donated more than two million meals to good causes.

Mary Dunn, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “We’re proud to support good causes in the Lothians, helping them to provide meals to those in need over the Easter period.

“At a time when more people are experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity due to Covid-19, we are committed to doing what we can to donate more meals in 2021 than ever before.”

Steve Butterworth, from Neighbourly, added: “The school holidays are often a busy time for the nation’s charities and food banks. I’m sure Aldi’s donation will have been a massive help for so many of these vital organisations.”

Aldi launches New Scottish Summer Ice Cream Range

Aldi customers are set for a sweet taste of the warmer months ahead following the launch of the supermarket’s delicious range of new ice cream flavours.

There is no need to play flavourites as customers can pick and choose from three refreshing new ice cream creations as part of Aldi’s much-loved Strachan’s range: Peach Melba, Mixed Scottish Berries, and Raspberry Pavlova.

At just £1.99 per litre, each tub takes advantage of the best produce Scotland has to offer and are the perfect treat to cool down with on a warm summer’s day.

Peach Melba is swirled with sweet raspberry and peach pieces; Mixed Berries uses various Scottish berries to create an indulgent fruit compote; and Raspberry Pavlova boasts a smooth dark pink raspberry ripple, as well as crunchy meringue pieces.

On sale now, the new Strachan’s ice cream flavours are 100% Scottish and are made in Scotland using Scottish milk and cream.

If you’re more of a chocolate ice cream fan, then why not try Aldi’s recently launched indulgent Specially Selected Belgian Chocolate ice cream?

Created by Equi’s, who currently offer Specially Selected Double Cream and Madagascan Vanilla and Specially Selected Scottish Isles Sea Salt and Caramel, it is guaranteed to go down a treat with anyone looking for a little indulgence this summer, customers can scoop this up for only £1.99 per 500ml.

Aldi’s new summer flavours are sure to be the ice cream of the crop and are on sale now at all 96 Aldi stores in Scotland.

You can find your nearest Aldi store here.

Aldi currently works with over 90 Scottish suppliers, and after reaching their initial goal of stocking over 450 Scottish products by the end of 2020, the supermarket has now increased this target to stock over 500 locally sourced products in the next two years.

Morrisons supermarket launches first own-brand shampoo bars

– Part of the Nutmeg range, the bars are plastic-free and the packaging is fully recyclable –

– They last for 30 washes and cost £3 each, five times cheaper than similar branded options –

Morrisons has become the first UK supermarket to launch an own-brand range of shampoo and conditioner bars into its permanent haircare range.

The Morrisons bars, which are part of the Nutmeg range, can last up to 30 washes and cost a pocket-friendly £3 – making them five times cheaper than some other branded options available, which can cost over £15.

They are also vegan, 100% plastic-free and packaged in fully recyclable cardboard cartons.

Shampoo bars use less water to manufacture than traditional haircare products and are lighter to transport, so have a smaller carbon footprint than a standard shampoo bottle. An average family can use multiple shampoo and conditioner plastic bottles per month – making the shampoo bars a more eco-friendly option.

Celebrities including Holly Willoughby, Davina McCall, Lily James and Kirsten Scott Thomas are all fans of shampoo bars.

The Nutmeg Shampoo and Conditioner Bars are formulated with a high natural origin content and include ingredients such as Organic Argan Oil, Wheat Germ Oil and Coconut Oil – renowned for their ability to cleanse and nourish, restore damaged hair and tame frizz.

Karena Hung, Health & Beauty Development Manager at Morrisons, said: “Our customers are telling us they want more sustainable options, not only for their groceries, but for their beauty products too.

“We’re excited to launch these new shampoo and conditioner bars under our own brand, so customers can pick them up as easily as they would regular bottles of shampoo and conditioner, with their weekly shop.”

Made in Scotland, Morrisons Nutmeg Shampoo & Conditioner Bars are available in-store now for £3 each.

A number of sustainable healthcare products are available in Morrisons Nutmeg range including organic sustainable sanitary protection, cotton buds in paper boxes, along with wooden nail and bath brushes.

Morrisons to give away half a million free postcards to spread positivity and combat loneliness

Morrisons will be giving away half a million free postcards for children to spread messages of hope this week in a nationwide initiative to help tackle loneliness within communities.

Children of Morrisons colleagues will be colouring postcards and writing messages for the supermarket to distribute to its Doorstep Delivery customers who are continuing to shield while lockdown restrictions are eased.

Morrisons Community Champions will also be working in partnership with local primary schools to give children postcards illustrated with sunflowers and positive messages that they can colour in.

The school children can post their cards to grandparents, neighbours and friends who they may not have seen recently due to lockdown or give them back to Morrisons to distribute to care homes and via its Doorstep Delivery service.

According to recent data from the Office of National Statistics, nearly half (47 percent) of adults in England reported that their wellbeing had been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Further research by Morrisons has revealed that 46 percent of Brits are feeling more isolated and alone than they normally would. Two thirds (67 per cent) said a simple act of kindness could help them feel reconnected with their community and three quarters (77 per cent) said it would positively change their entire outlook for the day.

David Potts, CEO at Morrisons, said: “Although lockdown is easing across the UK we know that many people in the community are still shielding and therefore unable to meet up with family and friends.

“Customers write to me weekly to let me know that Morrisons Doorstep Delivery service has been a lifeline to them and express their gratitude and we wanted to let them know we will continue to be here for them. We hope these messages will put a smile on people’s faces up and down the country.”

Every Morrisons store will receive 1500 postcards to give away locally.

The initiative is the latest from Morrisons which aims to make good things happen and bring hope to the nation.

Last week, Morrisons gave away 25 million sunflower seeds to customers to grow at home and launched its ‘Little Sunshine’ award – to recognise those who have gone above and beyond in their local community throughout the pandemic.

Morrisons launches new BBQ box to get you fired up for summer

– The new BBQ Box launches to coincide with alfresco meet-ups –

– The limited edition box includes everything you need for a BBQ and can be ordered for next-day delivery –

With garden get-togethers back on the cards this week and as the weather starts to warm up, Morrisons has launched a new bumper BBQ Food Box to wow your guests and cook up a storm for meat eaters and veggies alike.

The box includes plenty to throw on the grill; with classic British Beef Quarter Pounders and The Best Pork Sausages and Chicken Drumsticks, or Belly Pork Slices and Morrisons Cypriot Halloumi for something a little different.

There’s no need to pick up extras, as the box also features staples such as soft white rolls and cheese singles as well as condiments – Heinz Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce and Flava-It Barbecue Marinade – to set tastebuds alight.

Sides and snacks are also covered, including Morrisons The Best Gruyere & Poppy Twists, Doritos Tangy Cheese Sharing Tortilla Chips and Morrisons Sour Cream Dip for guests to tuck into when they arrive. There are also plenty of fresh ingredients to mix up a tasty side salad.

Finally, those with a sweet tooth can dive into Morrisons Flapjack Mini Bites and Morrisons Market Street Brownie Mini Bites.

Mollie Clarke, Food Box Specialist at Morrisons said: “The sun is finally starting to come out, just in time for friends and family gatherings in the back garden. Our new BBQ Food Box takes away the stress of hosting, featuring everything our customers need to grill up a delicious spread for kids, adults, meat lovers and veggies.”

Morrisons limited-edition BBQ Food Box costs £40 including next day delivery and is available now on the Morrisons food boxes website – visit:

https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/box/BBQ-Box

For more information on Morrisons Food Boxes range visit

www.morrisons.com/food-boxes

‘Berry’ good news as first Scottish strawberries of the season hit Aldi shelves

Customers won’t face any fruitless trips to Aldi from this weekend as punnets of the first Scottish strawberries hit stores across Scotland today. Aldi is the first retailer to offer punnets of delicious Scottish strawberries to their customers this year.

The first crop of Scottish strawberries to arrive on Aldi’s shelves have been grown by Tim Stockwell at his farm in Fife for Angus Soft Fruits. Berry specialists Angus Soft Fruits supply Aldi stores across Scotland with fresh berries from a select group of 18 growers based across Tayside and Fife, the heart of the traditional Scottish berry growing region.

Aldi, who currently stock over 450 products from 90 Scottish suppliers, aims to increase the number of Scottish products available in its stores to over 500 in the next two years and has been working with Angus Soft Fruits to ensure shelves are fully stocked with their delicious berries for the warmer months ahead.

Tim Stockwell, owner of Barnsmuir Farm in Fife, commented: “I am really glad that we are able to supply Aldi with the first Scottish strawberries again this year.

“The last 12 months certainly haven’t been without their challenges, but it’s great to see that Aldi remains committed to supporting local, quality produce.”

Graham Nicolson, Group Buyer Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased to be the first supermarket to offer the first Scottish strawberries of the season once again.

“The Scottish strawberry season is always eagerly anticipated by our customers, and we hope that this first crop of strawberries, grown locally in Fife, give them a sweet taste of summer in the months to come.”

Aldi’s stores in Scotland will be stocking the first pick Scottish strawberries from today (Friday 16 April), with availability increasing throughout spring.

You can find your local Aldi here.

Simply The Zest: Morrisons launches pink lemonade doughnuts for summer

Morrisons is brightening everyone’s day by launching another new flavour of its renowned doughnuts, Pink Lemonade. Featuring a delicious blend of raspberry and lemon juice, the filling is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy and refreshing; they really do pack a punch.

The new flavour has already been spotted in stores and shared widely on Instagram. Described as ‘the taste of summer’ and ‘just like pink lemonade’, the new treat is already proving hugely popular and customers can’t wait to get their hands on them.

Pink lemonade is set to be hugely popular this summer, with people having turned to old favourites over the past year. The new doughnuts will be a delicious addition to a nostalgic picnic spread, or maybe just as a snack in front of a great TV series.

Andy Clarke, In-store Bakery Manager at Morrisons said: “We know that our customers have been loving nostalgic flavours, so it made sense to create a classic Pink Lemonade filling for our renowned doughnuts.

“The new treat offers yet another reason to be excited for spring, and a reason to share delicious food with friends and family.”

Morrisons Pink Lemonade doughnuts are available now in 400 stores nationwide, for 50p for a pack of 5.