October 2008 Archives

The Guardian on Saturday reminded us that there is a shortage of food science and food technology graduates leaving UK universities. Jobs in this field range from the scientific side of product development to marketing and getting products on to the shelves, and graduates can command salaries up to £25,000 plus benefits.

In the report, Dr Richard Frazier, head of food and bioprocessing sciences group at the University of Reading, said "There are many exciting challenges facing the food industry and there is a constant demand for food science and food technology graduates who possess a strong scientific and technical skill base, combined with an understanding of how to manage consumer issues concerning food safety, quality and nutrition. Graduate careers are among the most rewarding among professional groups in terms of salary and promotion prospects."

So why are students still shying away from food science degrees? Will the government's decision to introduce compulsory food technology lessons for 11 - 14 year olds in 2011 encourage more people to pursue a career in this highly rewarding field?

Custard, sticky toffee puddings and other comfort food is making a comeback, as consumers try to ward off the economic crisis with nursery fare from their childhood. (The Telegraph 24 October)

Although we're cutting back on food shopping for the first time in over two decades, we're buying more puddings and pies. In the last 6 months, sales of custard have increased by 20%, Marks and Spencer bread and butter pudding by 15% and their sticky toffee pudding by 10%. Meanwhile, Tesco reports a 62% rise in sales of rice pudding and sales of shepherds pie and beef casserole ready meals have tripled.

Tesco spokesman Jonathan Church said: "The misery of the credit crunch has had a direct effect on our eating habits and shoppers are buying foods to cheer themselves up. There's nothing like a good old plate of pie and mash or a bowl of rice pudding to tuck into and help put a smile back on our faces."

Sales of luxury ready meals also appear to be on the increase as consumers are deserting restaurants and eating at home.

How have the contents of your grocery basket changed over the past few months? And would you like to see development chefs stepping back in time and creating more 1950's style ready meals?

Luckily for the food industry, even in times of a recession, people still need to eat. We may change our diet somewhat, but we will continue to buy food. This is obviously good news for us as the food industry will continue to employ graduates.

The Guardian on Thursday published an interesting article, Graduates who have studied abroad more appealing to businesses, and would be curious to know how relevant food professionals, and graduates of food related courses, feel this is to our industry.

The article tells us that international businesses are increasingly seeking graduates who have a global awareness, particularly those who have the initiative to study overseas as part of their learning. Britain is home to people from many different cultures and nationalities, so should our food industry graduates, even those who plan to take up a career at home, be more culturally aware?

What benefits would the food industry gain if students undertook a period of study, or work experience, abroad? As always, we'd love to hear your views...

World Food Day provides an occasion to once again highlight the plight of 923 million undernourished people in the world. Most of them live in rural areas where their main source of income is the agricultural sector. Global warming and the biofuel boom are now threatening to push the number of hungry even higher in the decades to come.

The official World Food Day ceremony at FAO headquarters will take place on 16 October in the presence of member countries, civil society and for the first time involving representatives from the European Professional Football Leagues (EPFL) and the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF).

EPFL and CAF are working with FAO as part of a United Nations effort to promote sport for development and peace through a partnership to launch and promote a campaign called "Professional football against hunger".

Other events include the special WFD ceremony at United Nations headquarters in New York on 17 October; the third annual Run-for-Food event being held in the city of Rome on 19 October and expected to involve over 4000 participants; and a worldwide Candlelight Vigil on 21 October, both events taking place both in Rome and in other countries around the world.

Is your organisation planning an event to support World Food Day? If so we'd love to hear about it...