✨AN UPDATE ON OUR PORTFOLIO✨ As we move further into 2024, we thought it was worth giving an update on our current portfolio! We're busy continuing to diversify our range to bring more high quality, added value products to our current and future customers. Along with our long standing agave products (Syrup and Inulin), we're now importing from Sri Lanka, with a great range of Oleoresins, Spices and Coconut MCT Oil. Additionally, through ongoing relationships built up with Peter's network, we're now offering supply chain solutions for items such as juices and concentrates, to simplify your processes. If you're interested in any of the below, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 📧 E-mail: james@f8nf.com 📱WhatsApp: +44 7713 073883

✨ DOES THE CONSUMER HAVE A SWEET TOOTH? ✨ NPD and 2024 trends seem to have a significant focus on adding value to existing products playing to desires for things which bring (quite literally) more to the table. From sweetened butter and peanut butter, new items appeal to the natural sweet tooth of many consumers, which is great for bringing light to alternative sweeteners such as agave syrup or raw sugars. We're keeping a close eye on what new sweet products enter the food and beverage market, but what products do you expect to see in the near future? 📧 E-mail: james@f8nf.com 📱WhatsApp: +44 7713 073883

✨ An opportunity for spice producers?✨ India has faced significant challenges with the organic status and quality of its spices being questioned throughout early 2024. Unfortunately, these concerns persist, with increasing scrutiny on their exports. While it is widely agreed that India's sourcing and quality need closer examination for the foreseeable future, this situation creates excellent opportunities for other countries to promote their spices and products. Understandably, we have a preference, but countries like Sri Lanka, Mexico, and others in South America and Asia have been producing superior quality products with well-documented ethical and environmental practices for years. This has now opened the door for manufacturers in the EU and UK to source their ingredients from these regions. Given the recent supply chain challenges and the need to ensure timely and specification-compliant deliveries, we anticipate a greater focus on sourcing in the coming months, continuing the trend from the first quarter. If you are interested in sourcing high-quality, organic (or conventional) products at competitive prices, please get in touch. 📧 E-mail: james@f8nf.com 📱WhatsApp: +44 7713 073883

✨ HOW DO WE MOVE ON WITH UPF? ✨ The future of processed products remains a hot topic in the food and beverage industry. So, what lies ahead? It's clear that ultra-processed foods (UPF) pose long-term health risks and contribute to the larger issue of obesity in both developed and developing nations, but the situation appears to be a minefield for producers and manufacturers to begin to tackle. As consumers face high prices and rising costs due to ingredient shortages (such as cacao), cheaper, more processed foods often provide more calories at a lower price, making them a viable option for those on a tight budget. Moreover, defining UPF still lacks standardization, which can be confusing for consumers. Current definitions often rely on the degree of processing - typically using the NOVA Classification ➡ https://lnkd.in/eVUPvHSf - but more clarity is needed. With the Food, Diet & Obesity Committee facing increased pressure in February 2024 to regulate UPF production, the coming year promises to be pivotal for new product development and the creation of cleaner label foods and beverages. Our longer term aim is to align our ingredient supply with consumer and product trends along these lines, and we would love to hear your thoughts on the current situation and where you think UPF is headed. 📧 E-mail: james@f8nf.com 📱WhatsApp: +44 7713 073883

We’re going to be at IFE - International Food & Drink Event London 2024! Looking forward to seeing the usual friendly faces there, and seeing what’s going on in the Food & Beverage industry in terms of innovation. Always fun seeing what ideas and new energy is being brought into the market, especially on the Organic side of things. If you’re at the show and want to meet up, give us a shout! 📧 E-mail: james@facilit8andflourish.com 📱WhatsApp: +44 7713 073883