The organic and conventional sectors of the fresh produce industry appeared no closer to working together, following heated debate at last week’s Re:fresh conference.

US retail behemoth Wal-Mart is launching a small-store format set to give Tesco’s Fresh & Easy convenience banner a run for its money.

English fruit grower Alan Firmin Ltd has scooped top prize as the overall best of Tesco’s apple and pear growers, at the retailer’s prestigious UK top-fruit producer awards and conference held in Kent this week.

An innovative range of strawberries and raspberries grown without the use of pesticides by Scottish grower Angus Soft Fruits scooped both the Supreme Award and the Retail – Fruit or Vegetable Category Award at the Scotland Food & Drink Awards in Edinburgh.

A survey by Farming Futures has found that growers in the UK horticulture sector are more likely than any other farming sector to be taking action to adapt to climate change.

UK growers and farmers representatives have spoken out against chancellor Alistair Darling’s call for an end to direct payments to farmers to help address food inflation.