Susan begins by sharing her the challenges she experienced with engaging in IFST as a student and early career professional engaging in IFST, which stemmed from geographical and time-related issues. Things took a turn when she transitioned into freelance consultancy, a shift that allowed her to get more deeply involved. Starting with the Midlands branch, she eventually took the lead in establishing the IFST Food Innovation Special Interest Group during the pandemic. This group created a much-needed space for product developers to collaborate, share ideas, and find support during a difficult time.

The conversation moves to the launch of the Innovation Toolkit in 2023.

Designed for product developers, this resource is a treasure trove of practical tools, including creative ideation methods, innovation processes, project management strategies, and trend analysis. It’s clear from Susan’s description that the toolkit is a must-have for anyone in product development, whether they’re new to the industry or seasoned professionals.

Susan also highlights the importance of bridging academia with real-world industry experience. She believes that combining theory with hands-on learning makes education more impactful and engaging, bringing lectures to life in a way that resonates with learners.

As the discussion continues, Susan reflects on the value of IFST as a professional network, particularly for freelancers and consultants who often feel isolated in their work. She emphasises the importance of staying connected to a community that supports growth, offers learning opportunities, and encourages collaboration.

We also dive into Susan’s career journey, including her pivot from working with branded goods to focusing on ingredient innovation. She shares insights into risk management and the need for flexibility in product development processes. Susan encourages food professionals to revisit the basics, like the NPD Fundamentals course, which she sees as beneficial for anyone looking to stay current and enhance their understanding of industry practices.

The episode concludes with Susan and the hosts encouraging listeners to explore IFST’s resources, including the Innovation Toolkit, which will soon be integrated with the NPD Fundamentals course for even greater value.

Timestamps

• [0:00] - Introduction
• [2:30] - Susan’s early challenges with IFST
• [8:45] - Founding the Innovation Group during the pandemic
• [11:20] - Innovation Toolkit launch in 2023
• [15:35] - Bridging academic and industry experience
• [19:10] - Why IFST is a lifeline for food professionals
• [30:12] - Transitioning from branded businesses to ingredients
• [33:45] - Revisiting fundamentals and staying flexible
• [40:15] - Encouragement to explore IFST resources

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch: https://micro-search.co.uk/

See you next time!

Lucy welcomes listeners to the first episode of 2025, acknowledging the unique pressures and chaos that food industry professionals face in January.

Together, Amy and Lucy share four practical strategies to help listeners prioritise their work, set boundaries, plan recovery time, and maintain connections with their support network.

Throughout the episode, they touch on personal anecdotes and practical examples, making the advice relatable and easy to implement.

We emphasise the importance of ruthless prioritisation, setting clear and communicable boundaries, planning both short micro breaks and longer recovery times, and staying connected with friends and mentors in the industry.

Lastly, we encourage listeners to decide on one actionable step from their tips and implement it to improve their work life.

Timestamps

00:00:16 - Lucy welcomes listeners and introduces the episode's focus on strategies for a busy January.

00:01:34 - Discussion on the post-launch review stage and the typical January busyness in the food industry.

00:02:59 - Tip #1: Prioritise ruthlessly. 00:04:20 - Tip #2: Setting boundaries and communicating them.

00:07:11 - Sponsor Break: Microsearch Laboratories.

00:07:51 - Continuation of Tip #2.

00:09:49 - Tip #3: Planning recovery time and small rewards.

00:10:38 - Discussion on the importance of finding micro breaks.

00:15:05 - Tip #4: Connecting and reaching out to your support network.

00:16:30 - Wrap-up and invitation for listeners to share their chosen strategies.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

See you next time!

In this episode, we’re joined by Tor Hunt Taylor, Marketing Director at The Collective, to explore the challenges and opportunities of driving sustainability in the food industry. Tor shares her thoughts on the importance of networking and transparency, emphasizing how platforms like B Corp are instrumental for staying informed on advancements and navigating policy changes. These connections have proven vital in The Collective’s ambitious mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. She explains the company’s current reliance on carbon offsetting and their plans to transition to insetting through regenerative farming practices, particularly in dairy farming, where milk production heavily contributes to carbon emissions.

The conversation delves into the hurdles faced by farmers attempting to adopt regenerative methods, including policy gaps and market pressures. Despite these challenges, the positive environmental impacts seen on farms that have embraced these practices offer hope and proof of concept. Tor also discusses how consumer behavior plays a critical role in driving sustainability. While interest in sustainable products is growing, price and taste often outweigh environmental considerations in purchasing decisions. Clear and simple communication about the benefits of regenerative farming is key to aligning consumer habits with sustainable goals.

We tackle the controversial topic of ultra-processed foods and the confusion surrounding this term. Tor highlights the need for better research to guide policies and inform consumers, especially given that some processed foods can still offer significant nutritional benefits. The discussion also touches on The Collective’s innovative approach to product development, including their new adult pouch range inspired by the success of their kids' snacks. This product line targets the adult snacking market with a focus on health and sustainability and has already received positive feedback. Sainsbury’s adoption of the range, paired with engaging and humorous marketing campaigns, showcases the brand’s commitment to connecting with consumers through relatable content.

Tor also shares insights into The Collective’s marketing strategy, which prioritizes impact over budget. By leveraging small, collaborative teams and using social media insights to engage with their audience, The Collective demonstrates how thoughtful, resourceful marketing can drive consumer engagement and build brand loyalty.

This episode offers a wealth of insights for anyone interested in the intersection of food, sustainability, and consumer behavior. From practical strategies to inspiring stories, it’s a conversation filled with actionable takeaways and food for thought.

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction and guest welcome Tor Hunt Taylor

3:35 - Networking and transparency in sustainability

12:22 - Achieving carbon neutrality: Offset vs. inset

19:01 - Regenerative farming practices and challenges

27:45 - Consumer behaviour in sustainable product adoption

33:30 - Ultra-processed foods controversy and research needs

42:15 - Innovation at The Collective: Adult pouch range

51:40 - Marketing strategy: Connecting with consumers through humour and relatability

58:20 - Team dynamics and collaborative culture at The Collective

1:04:10 - Conclusion and call to action

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

See you next time!