National Food Bank Day – How Food and Drink Businesses Can Make a Difference

The first Friday of September is National Food Bank Day, a time to highlight the crucial work food banks do in tackling hunger and supporting vulnerable people in our communities. 

For the food and drink industry, this day is not just about awareness—it’s an opportunity to step up and make a lasting impact.

Why Food Banks Matter

Food banks provide emergency food parcels and essentials to families and individuals struggling to get by. With the rising cost of living, more and more people are turning to them as a vital safety net. 

In the UK, the Trussell Trust and independent food banks have seen demand increase sharply, making donations and community support more important than ever.

How Food and Drink Businesses Can Help

Food and drink businesses are uniquely placed to support food banks, both through direct action and by encouraging their customers to get involved. Here are a few practical ways:

Donate surplus stock: Restaurants, cafés, bakeries, and shops can partner with local food banks to redirect unsold but safe-to-eat food. This not only helps reduce waste but also ensures food goes to people who need it most.

Organise collection points: Pubs, cafés, and restaurants can set up drop-off points for customers to donate long-life items like pasta, rice, tins, and tea.

Launch fundraising campaigns: From donating a percentage of sales on National Food Bank Day to creating special charity dishes, businesses can raise money to support local food banks.

Collaborate with suppliers: Wholesalers, breweries, and producers can also get involved by donating stock or contributing funds to joint initiatives.

Host community events: Food-focused businesses can use their space for awareness events, community meals, or fundraisers in aid of food banks.

A Shared Responsibility

For the hospitality sector, supporting food banks is about more than charity—it’s about strengthening communities and ensuring that nobody in society is left behind. At its core, food is about connection, dignity, and care. Businesses that engage with local food banks not only help fight hunger but also show their customers and communities that they truly care.

Final Thoughts

This National Food Bank Day, food and drink businesses have a unique chance to make a tangible difference. Whether it’s donating surplus stock, running a fundraiser, or raising awareness among customers, every effort counts.

After all, in a sector built on sharing food and drink, what better way to give back than by ensuring no one in the community goes hungry?

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SocialBox.Biz's Long-Standing IT Reuse Innovation Drives Increased Impact with London Companies

SocialBox.Biz, a leading London-based Community Interest Company (CIC), is reporting a strong initial response from businesses embracing its call to prioritize IT reuse over scrapping. 

The recently launched "Call SocialBox.Biz Before You Scrap It" campaign has resonated with companies which are committed to enhancing their social and environmental impact. 

"We're seeing a growing understanding among London businesses that reusing functional IT equipment delivers tangible benefits beyond traditional recycling," Peter Paduh, Founder of SocialBox.Biz, told That's Business. 

Building on over a decade of commitment to sustainable tech reuse, SocialBox.Biz reports a positive initial response from London's business community following its recent renewed call to action to prioritise donating usable IT equipment before recycling or scrapping it.

"We're seeing a growing understanding among businesses that reusing functional IT equipment with SocialBox.Biz delivers tangible benefits beyond traditional recycling methods," Peter Paduh went on to say.

By partnering with SocialBox.Biz, businesses aren't only diverting valuable resources from landfills but also reducing their Scope 3 CO₂ emissions ( reducing your supply chain carbon footprint ) – significantly cutting the environmental impact compared to recycling disposal. 

SocialBox.Biz securely wipes donated devices and upgrades them with open-source software, making them suitable for redistribution to individuals and communities in need.

The call for businesses to donate usable tech has been a core part of SocialBox.Biz's mission for over a decade. However, a recent campaign, "Call SocialBox.Biz Before You Scrap It", was launched to more actively promote this message.

The initiative is already creating positive change within the community. Through partnerships with local charities and organizations like Age UK London and C4WS, SocialBox.Biz is providing access to essential technology for:

Older adults facing digital exclusion unable to afford computer hardware or software.

Individuals experiencing homelessness moving into permanent accommodation and seeking to rebuild their lives.

Refugees integrating into British society.

The reuse of laptops and other IT equipment is proving to be a lifeline, empowering these individuals to access education, job opportunities, and stay connected with loved ones.

https://www.socialbox.biz/socialbox-biz-helping-partners-reduce-scope-3-emissions-and-increase-social-impact/

As noted in a recent case study, a laptop provided to Dean by SocialBox.Biz through another charitable partnership helped him secure employment in London.

https://www.socialbox.biz/homeless-man-finds-job-and-new-hope-with-socialbox-biz-laptop/

SocialBox.Biz is also expanding its programs, including the recently launched CompTIA+ certification initiative, which provides training and opportunities for disadvantaged individuals to enter the IT workforce.

https://www.socialbox.biz/corporate-impact/

The Call for Continued Partnership

While the initial response to the recent campaign has been positive, SocialBox.Biz emphasizes that there's still a significant amount of work to be done to truly maximize the benefits of sustainable tech reuse. The organisation continues to call on London businesses of all sizes to consider partnering with them and join the "reuse before corporate IT recycling" social and ethical innovation.

How Businesses Can Get Involved:

Businesses can engage with SocialBox.Biz by prioritising the reuse of IT equipment, donating devices through a seamless collection process that includes secure data wiping, and sponsoring initiatives like tech labs and training programmes. By participating, businesses contribute to environmental sustainability and social inclusion.

To learn more contact them here: https://www.socialbox.biz/contact-us/

Gin’s Evolution: From Medicinal Roots to Market Disruptor

Gin is more than a fashionable drink it’s a story of resilience, innovation, and reinvention. From its 16th-century beginnings as a medical tonic to its position today at the forefront of both craft spirits and zero-alcohol innovation, gin continues to evolve in response to shifting consumer habits and market forces.

The Origins of a Global Industry

Gin originated as genever, a Dutch juniper-based spirit prescribed for digestive and kidney complaints. British soldiers encountered it during the Thirty Years’ War and brought it home, where it grew in popularity as both a remedy and a recreational drink. By the 18th century, gin was firmly established as part of British culture—though the Gin Craze highlighted the dangers of unregulated mass consumption.

Industrialisation and Standardisation

The invention of the column still in the 19th century ushered in a new era of clean, reliable spirits. London Dry Gin became the industry standard, paving the way for global brands like Beefeater, Tanqueray, and Gordon’s, which remain market leaders today.

The Craft Gin Boom

The last two decades have seen an explosion in small-batch producers. With lower barriers to entry than whisky or rum, gin became a prime candidate for artisanal start-ups. 

UK distilleries now number in the hundreds, many carving out niches with locally sourced botanicals, regional branding, and innovative marketing. Gin festivals and experiential tasting events have strengthened its consumer appeal, particularly among younger demographics.

Zero-Alcohol Gins: A Growing Market Sector

One of the most disruptive forces in the drinks sector is the rise of zero-alcohol gin alternatives. Brands such as Clean Co, Seedlip and Lyre’s have proven that consumers are willing to pay premium prices for alcohol-free spirits that deliver on flavour and experience. 

The “sober curious” trend, alongside health-conscious lifestyles, is expected to fuel exponential growth in this market. Analysts predict the no/low alcohol category could reach multi-billion-pound revenues globally within the next decade.

The Future of Gin Business

The gin sector is set to evolve along four major paths:

Sustainability: eco-friendly practices will become a consumer expectation.

Premiumisation: growth will continue in craft and luxury products.

Health and lifestyle alignment: more zero-alcohol and functional botanical products.

Global expansion: new markets in Asia and North America are likely to drive sales.

Conclusion

Gin has transformed from a humble medicinal drink into a global business powerhouse. Its adaptability, both culturally and commercially, positions it well for continued growth in an industry increasingly shaped by wellness, sustainability, and innovation.

Micom Receives Recognition

Coventry's Micom has been recognised as a finalist in three categories at the prestigious Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards 2025, highlighting the company’s commitment to innovation, growth and people.

The categories are:

Employer of the Year Award

Vistage Growth Business of the Year Award

Technology Business of the Year Award

This follows Micom’s 2022 success as a finalist in the Business Transformation Award, further cementing the company’s reputation as a hybrid and digital communications leader.

“Being shortlisted in three categories is an incredible honour. It recognises our team’s hard work in building a culture of innovation, growth, and customer focus. We’re proud to be leading the way in how businesses deliver secure, intelligent communications at scale.”, Andy Barber CEO of Micom told That's Business.

The Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards celebrate the UK’s most innovative and impactful businesses, recognising organisations that demonstrate outstanding achievement and resilience. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony later this year.

For more information visit Micom.com

Helping Young People Take Their First Steps into the World of Catering

The catering industry is an important part of the wider hospitality sector, generating billions for the UK economy each year. 

For young people with ambition and a passion for food or event planning, catering can be an exciting career choice. 

But how can employers, parents, and mentors encourage and support them to take those first steps?

Show Them the Business Potential

Catering isn’t just about cooking – it’s about building a viable business. Encourage young people to learn about logistics, customer service, costing, and marketing alongside food skills. This will help them see catering as a long-term career option, not just a job.

Promote Education and Apprenticeships

Colleges, training providers, and apprenticeships give structure to a young person’s career journey. Work experience placements, part-time roles, or even shadowing opportunities all help them understand the real-world demands of catering.

Emphasise Transferable Skills

Catering teaches organisation, teamwork, and problem-solving – skills that are highly valued across industries. Framing the sector as a springboard to wider opportunities can help young people (and their parents) see its long-term worth.

Support Their Networking

Encourage them to connect with local businesses, catering firms, or event organisers. Industry contacts are invaluable, and many caterers get their start through personal introductions or seasonal opportunities.

Bottom line: By encouraging education, networking, and an entrepreneurial mindset, we can inspire the next generation to build strong careers in catering – strengthening not only their futures but the hospitality industry as a whole.

When Goodwill Goes Sour: Protecting the Reputation of Food and Drink Brands

Who wrecked the brand?

Reputation is the currency of business, and nowhere is that truer than in the food and drink sector. 

A well-loved brand can take decades to build, yet only days to damage or even wreck.

In a hyper-connected age where consumers expect authenticity and accountability, reputational missteps are amplified—and the fallout can be costly.

Consider the case of Aunt Jemima. For generations, it was a familiar name in American kitchens. Yet its branding, rooted in racial stereotypes, became increasingly untenable in the modern era. 

By the time parent company Quaker Oats acted in 2021, the debate had already cast a long shadow over the brand’s image. The rebrand to Pearl Milling Company was arguably necessary, but the delay demonstrated the risks of clinging too tightly to outdated imagery. 

Perhaps ironically members of the family of the woman behind the Aunt Jemima name and image were highly critical of what they perceived as the corporate decision to wipe their revered family member from history.

Budweiser offers another lesson. A brand once crowned the “King of Beers” found itself at the centre of a culture war after a single marketing collaboration sparked a consumer backlash. 

Sales fell, boycotts spread, and the brand’s dominance was questioned. The misstep revealed how even routine marketing decisions must now be weighed against the potential for political polarisation.

Then there is Cracker Barrel, a US chain with a reputation built on hearty, traditional dining. Its attempt to modernise by introducing plant-based options seemed logical, but the reaction from parts of its loyal base was far from supportive. The brand found itself caught between evolving food trends and customer expectations of tradition.

These cautionary tales highlight a key truth: brand heritage is not a shield against reputational risk. Businesses in the food and drink sector must navigate a fine line between innovation and authenticity, between appealing to new customers and retaining loyal ones.

For leaders and marketers, the lessons are clear:

Monitor cultural shifts and respond before criticism escalates.

Ensure any brand evolution is communicated in a way that aligns with core values.

Balance the desire for growth with the need to protect heritage.

Ensure that those responsible for running company social media accounts truly reflect the core values and identity of the organisation.

Reputation may be intangible, but its impact on sales, loyalty, and long-term survival is anything but. The brands that thrive will be those that treat reputation not as an afterthought but as a strategic asset.