Children go Natures Way with new education resouce

Mon, 24 May 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Local salad and fruit manufacturer, Natures Way Foods (NWF), is helping primary school children learn about salad growing and harvesting with a new Field to Fork micro-site and on-line educational resource that is interactive and fun.

www.field2fork.co.uk is a free to use website for primary school children learning about food, farming and the environment. Through colourful visuals and fun vegetable characters, children are shown how lettuce is grown, harvested, washed and packaged ready to eat.

The site has been inspired by the hugely popular Field to Fork tours run by NWF over the past few years, in partnership with their sister company Langmead Farms. Demand is so great that there is now a waiting list, so NWF has created the site to reach more children and ensure they can learn about fresh salads when in the classroom.

Through the site, the children go on a virtual Field to Fork Tour, beginning in the fields where the lettuce seeds are planted and grown. They learn why the farms location is important, how irrigation works and what happens after harvest. The children are shown how the lettuce is washed, chopped and bagged, and they can down-load a Bug ID Fact Sheet with facts and figures about bugs and mini beasts and how to identify them in the fields. There is also an on-line quiz to test their knowledge and they can win a packet of Field to Fork watercress seeds to grow at home.

“Our Field to Fork initiative is one of the corner stones of our Community Programme and we are very proud of its huge popularity and value amongst local schools” explains Sarah Baldock, Head of Marketing at NWF.

“However, as we can only accommodate a limited number of schools per season, we wanted to find a way to ensure that children can continue to learn about our salads and fresh produce - even if they don’t have the opportunity to visit us in person. The micro-site mirrors our Field to Fork Tour and has been created with the help of educational experts to ensure that it mirrors the topics covered in the National Curriculum. It can be accessed by children of all ages and we hope the schools will enjoy using it.”

Natures Way Foods awarded 2010 Britain's Top Employer Status

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Leading prepared salad and fruit producer Natures Way Foods (NWF) has been certified by the CRF Institute as one of Britain’s Top Employers for 2010.

The CRF Institute announced the leading organizations in its 2010 Top Employers survey at an awards ceremony last week, attended by the NWF HR team. The Institute aims to highlight best HR practice and describes NWF as “a growing business, presenting great opportunities to learn and grow with it.”

The Award is based on independent research commissioned by the CRF Institute that shows that Natures Way Foods has outstanding HR policies and that the company offers excellent working conditions. Fifty-six organizations were certified in this year’s Britain’s Top Employers project and companies were judged on the basis of their scores in a number of HR-related areas: Pay and Benefits, Training and Development, Career Development, Working Conditions and Company Culture.

More………

“Talented people lie at the heart of any successful organisation. This is never truer than it is today,” says Steven Veenendaal, CEO of the CRF Institute. “The year 2009 will be remembered as economically one of the most challenging in living memory. As the UK emerges from the Recession, Britain’s Top Employers recognise that in order to improve their resilience and performance, their main HR focus should be on engagement and retention of their people.”

Susan Barratt, CEO of Nature’s Way Foods concludes, “I am delighted that NWF has received this accolade and we are immensely proud that we scored very highly in Career Development. Natures Way Foods is a fast growing business with further growth potential, yet we strive to ensure that our culture remains personable and engaging. Our biggest challenge today is to listen to our customers and consumers and to focus on the long term rather than just today. We have a very strong team and I believe that together we can achieve our goals and grow our business further.”

For further details of the Award winners go to www.natureswayfoods.co.uk or log onto the CRF Institute’s website www.britainstopemployers.co.uk and the Daily Telegraph micro site www.telegraph.co.uk/britainstopemployers.

Natures Way Foods one of Britain's Top Employers 2010

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Natures Way Foods has been recognised as one of Britain's Top Employers 2010. The award identifies companies in Britain who demonstrate excellence in HR Management.

"Through the objective and independent Top Employers research methodology, the smartest, most forward-thinking employers in the country are determined" CRF International

To read more about how Natures Way Foods achieved the award click here.

The Chichester Triathlon and Aquathon are back - Bigger and Better than ever!

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0000

The Chichester Triathlon is back, and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever before!

The Triathlon, which is sponsored by Natures Way Foods, has attracted competitors from all over the world since we introduced it in 2007. This year, we have decided to split the event over two days, due to its popularity.

The Junior Aquathon, also sponsored by Natures Way Foods, is for competitors between eight and 16 and will take place on Saturday 17 July. The first wave of competitors will set off at 1pm. This will start with a swimming race at Chichester Westgate Leisure, followed by a race around Chichester College’s campus. There is room for around 250 entries.

The distance set for junior competitors will be dependent upon their age. Distances for the swim start from 66m (two lengths) for eight year olds, up to 400m (12 lengths) for 16 year olds. This is followed by a run of between 600m and 3km, depending on age.

The main Triathlon event will be held the following day. This will be joined by a new event, ‘Try a Tri’, which is designed for competitors who were prefer a sprint distance. This is a shorter version of the Triathlon, removing the hilly part of the course, and will consist of:
o    a 400m pool swim at Westgate Leisure Chichester;
o    a 30km bike ride through Lavant, Compton, Funtington and back into Chichester Westgate Leisure;
o    finishing with a 5km (3 mile) out-and-back flat run along Centurions Way.

The main Triathlon event is the same as in previous years and there is room for up to 300 entries. The first wave of Triathlon competitors will start at 7am. The race consists of:
o    a 600m pool swim at Westgate Leisure Chichester;
o    a 42km (26 mile) bike ride through Lavant, up South Harting Hill, round through Compton, Funtington and back into Chichester Westgate Leisure;
o    finishing with a 10km (6 mile) out-and-back flat run along Centurions Way.

For those who don’t want to take part in all three events, there is the opportunity for teams to compete. This option allows each member of the team to take part in a different event within the Triathlon.
Chip timing will again be used this year. Competitors will be able to see their results and split times, as soon as they cross the finish line. They will also be able to book their race spot online, by completing a form on our website www.chichester.gov.uk. The website will also provide further competition details and a map of the courses. Forms will also be available from Westgate Leisure Chichester.
Once you have booked your place, we will send you a race number, transitions bands and bike/hat stickers near to race day.

Marshals and race referees will be located at a transition area on Chichester College’s front field, where bike racks will also be provided. All competitors will receive a t-shirt and goodie bag.
Councillor Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Sport and Culture at Chichester District Council, says: “Each year the Triathlon attracts more and more competitors, with people coming from all over the world to take part. We are expecting record numbers this year for both the Triathlon and the increasingly popular Aquathon. With the ‘Try A Tri’ event now added to the weekend, we can promise that all three events will offer great all round entertainment for both competitors and spectators alike.”

Natures Way Foods said: “We are strongly committed to supporting community initiatives, particularly those that promote healthy eating and sport in the local area. We are a leading supplier of prepared salads and fruit and this is the fourth year that we are sponsoring this event.”

The cost to enter is:
o    £32 for British Triathlon Federation (BTF) Members;
o    £39 for Non BTF Members; and
o    £55 for a team entry.

The entry fee for the ‘Try a Tri’ is £21 for BTF Members and £25 for Non BTF Members.
Entry forms for the Aquathon are also available from our website and Chichester Westgate Leisure. The cost to enter the Junior Aquathon is £10 for BTF Members and £12 for Non BTF Members.

Natures Way Foods brings together customers and suppliers and celebrates success

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

To help build relationships, focus on future challenges and celebrate the company’s success, leading prepared salads and fruit supplier, Natures Way Foods (NWF), brought together key customers and suppliers last week at the company’s annual Suppliers’ Conference in Portsmouth.

Entitled ‘Winning Together in a Changing Landscape’ the one day Conference united buyers from Tesco, Morrison, Pret a Manger and McDonalds, alongside growers, packaging suppliers and other companies within the NWF supply chain. Delegates were invited to discuss ways in which they could work together more efficiently in a spirit of communication and shared values.

Alongside presentations by NWF personnel, Tesco, Morrisons, Pret a Manger and McDonalds outlined their challenges and objectives. In the afternoon, delegates worked in workshop groups, discussing varying issues and identifying ways of pooling their resources. Each group was allocated specific topics and areas of concern, and asked to develop and agree action-centered solutions.

“This is our second Suppliers Conference and we are absolutely delighted to bring together so many customers and suppliers under one roof,” explained NWF CEO Susan Barratt. Times are extremely tough and we have many challenges ahead, but we believe that the secret to our success is our people, our efficient processes and our communication. By working together towards a common goal, we can overcome obstacles and make our businesses strong. We hope that the Conference helped to consolidate existing ties and create new ones.”

Despite the challenging climate, NWF has had a very positive year of growth with increased sales of both bagged salads and prepared fruit. The company attributes much of this success to its excellent relationships with its customers and suppliers.

“We work extremely hard to ensure that we provide exactly what the customer wants and we are quick to respond to changing conditions and requirements,” continues Susan Barratt. “The bagged salads market has grown by nearly 1.5% over the past year, and the prepared fruit market is now worth approximately £200 million, so we need to continue to offer quality, freshness and value for money if we are going to succeed. It is our ability to provide all three relentlessly that makes us stand out from our competitors".

NWF provides fresh bagged salads to Tesco, and both fruits and salads to Morrisons and Pret. It is also a supplier of salad products to McDonalds.

Local Children Walk to School with a glow thanks to new road safety initiative

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Children at Sidlesham Primary School are starting the new academic year with a glow thanks to a new safety initiative backed by Natures Way Foods, which helps them keep safe when walking to and from school.

As part of the new initiative, the children have been given new florescent waistcoats to wear over their coats and uniforms. The eye-catching waistcoats have been designed to make the children highly visible and have been donated by Natures Way Foods in a move to encourage the children to walk to and from school and raise awareness of the speed of traffic on local roads.

Throughout the autumn and winter terms (particular when the shorter days can make visibility an issue) the children will be walking or cycling to school in their new waistcoats. The waistcoats are orange, yellow or green and feature a 30MPH speed sign on the back to remind motorists to keep to the national speed limit. Over 50 children at Sidlesham Primary have already signed up for a new safety waistcoat.

Jane Reeve, a mother of children at the school, comments, "These new waistcoats are fantastic. For the first time ever cars and lorries are stopping on the main road to let us cross and we are convinced that the traffic is slowing down, they are obviously having the desired effect!"

If you are interested in launching a similar initiative in your school, please get in touch.

Natures Way Foods sponsor local Triathlon Club at the European Championships 2009

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Natures Way Foods has announced that it is sponsoring the Chichester Westgate Triathlon Club, whose members are competing in the European Triathlon Championships this weekend (4th/5th July) in Holland. Although the Club is less than a year old, six of its members have been selected to compete as part of the GB squad. Led by Club Chairman, Adrian Campbell, the team will be wearing specially designed kit featuring the Natures Way Foods' logo. The team will also be taking part in the Chichester Triathlon on July 19th.

Natures Way Foods Triathlon Team Leads the Way

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

The Chichester Triathlon is not just for individuals, there is also a team entry division and this year Natures Way Foods has teamed up with Chichester District Council PR team to encourage local businesses to enter a team....

TEAM ENTRIES ENCOURAGED FOR CHICHESTER TRIATHLON

Group entries from local businesses are being encouraged for this year’s Chichester Triathlon, taking place on Sunday 19 July.

The Chichester Triathlon, organised by Chichester District Council and sponsored by Natures Way Foods, is for athletes of all levels of ability. It offers a challenging course for both new competitors and experienced triathletes. For those people who would like to compete but don’t want to take part in all three events, it provides the opportunity for teams to compete.
Councillor Nick Thomas, Portfolio Holder for Sport and Culture at Chichester District Council, said: “Each member of the team can take part in a different event within the triathlon. The teams can consist of two or three members, with one person competing in one or more of the events. This is a great chance for anyone who would like to try a Triathlon but is not sure they can complete all the events together. Previous team entries have gone on to compete as individuals after enjoying the day so much.”

Last year, the Natures Way Foods team (Emma Webster, Lucy Blain and Mathew Rowbury) competed together. Lucy enjoyed taking part so much that this year she is going it alone and has entered the triathlon as an individual participant.
Lucy explains, “2008 was the first time I had ever taken part and I had low levels of fitness at the time so borrowed a friend’s bike to train for the event. This year I’m training much harder and doing the mini triathlon in Sussex, before both the London and Chichester full triathlons. I really liked taking part at Westgate Leisure Chichester last year as the staff were brilliant and the location works really well as a centre point for the three disciplines.“

Mathew Rowbury is also competing again with team mate Emma Webster and said: “Last year was the first time I’d been involved in a triathlon event and I’m looking forward to competing again this summer – but I’m also seriously tempted to do a full triathlon on my own in the future. It was a great day and felt really good to be part of a healthy sporting event.”
Natures Way Foods said: "Natures Way Foods, a leading supplier of prepared salads and fruit to major retailers and food service companies throughout the UK, is very proud to sponsor the Chichester Triathlon and Junior Aquathon. We are committed to supporting community initiatives that promote healthy eating and sport in our local area."

Following on from last year’s Triathlon, a Westgate Leisure, Chichester, Triathlon Club has been set up and meets regularly at Westgate Leisure Chichester for training four times per week. For more information about the club please contact Adrian Campbell by emailing maryaidy@ukonline.co.uk

You must be over 16 to enter the triathlon and entry forms can be downloaded from our website www.chichester.gov.uk or collected from Westgate Leisure Chichester. The cost to enter is £32 for British Triathlon Federation (BTF) Members, £39 for Non BTF Members and £55 for a team entry.

Chichester Triathlon and Junior Aquathon 2009

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Natures Way Foods are proud to announce their continued sponsorship of the Chichester Triathlon and Junior Aquathon. The Triathlon, organised by Chichester District Council and Westgate Leisure, is now in its 3rd year and has become an established event on the triathlon circuit, with competitors coming from as far as Europe to take part. This year, on Sunday 19th July, up to 450 participants will tackle the 600m pool swim, followed by a challenging 42km bike ride through South Harting and finish on a 10km run. With the finish line and various stalls, including our popular stand with free salad and fruit, on Chichester College playing fields, it is the perfect opportunity for participants and spectators to enjoy a fabulous day out.

To enter download the following application form and send to: Westgate Leisure Chichester, Via Ravenna, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 1RJ.

Triathlon application form

Junior Aquathon application form

Marathon Trio!

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

On the 26th April 3 Natures Way Foods employees will take to the start line of the 2009 Flora London Marathon. Running the 26 mile race are Jeff Hunt, Morrisons Account Director, Darren Boyce, Engineering Manager and Matthew Rowbury, Supply Chain Director. Jeff, the only one who has experienced the gruelling race before back in 2006, is aiming for the 4 hour mark, shaving 42 minutes off his previous time. First timers, Darren and Matthew, have been set the challenge of completing the race in 3 hours 30 minutes. Running for their respective charities, Help the Aged, Ability Bow and Heart UK they will be raising a combined total of £4,500. We will report back after the event to let you know how they got on.