As we head into the festive season we wrap up this year’s bulletins with a fireside chat with one of our UK Food Valley exemplars – Tim Jackson, Operations Director of Worldwide Fruit. 

Tim sat on an innovation panel at our recent LEP Annual Conference explaining the bespoke avocado ripening system Worldwide Fruit has developed to produce the optimum fruit for taste, ripeness and shelf life. You can view this insightful discussion in full here: here.

Tim has been at the forefront of chilled food manufacturing for over 25 years, with a drive for innovating products and systems to bring the best and freshest produce to the consumer.

The UK Food Valley talks to Tim about the focus and ambition for the business and the wider future of the food sector, with the role of innovation as a pivotal catalyst for change and sustainable food chains.

UKFV: The UK Food Valley was conceived and launched four years ago to harness our world-leading collective strengths around clusters and to promote ourselves on an international stage.  What do you think is particularly special about the food industry in Lincolnshire and the UK Food Valley?

TJ: Lincolnshire and the UK Food Valley stand out thanks to their unique combination of tradition and innovation. As a region, it benefits from a concentration of expertise from primary production to food processing and logistics, underpinned by strong partnerships with academic and research institutions.

The UK Food Valley has enabled businesses like ours to tap into shared resources, insights and emerging technologies, helping us remain competitive on a national scale. The spirit of collaboration here is exceptional; it's not just about business growth but about fostering a sustainable future for the entire food chain. This environment makes Lincolnshire an exciting place to lead change in the food industry, ensuring we address consumer needs while meeting the challenges of climate change and resource management.

UKFV: There is a lot of talk in the UK about the need for more innovation to meet the productivity challenge.  What are your priorities for innovation and how do you approach innovation in your business?

TJ: For us, innovation is about staying ahead of market demands and ensuring that every step of the supply chain delivers maximum value. Our top priorities include reducing waste, enhancing product quality, and leveraging digital technologies for operational excellence.

One of our key focus areas is supply chain innovation. By investing in predictive analytics and blockchain technologies, we can improve traceability, reduce inefficiencies, and meet customer expectations for transparency. Additionally, we’re exploring ways to extend the shelf life of fresh produce through advancements in packaging and storage technologies, which directly tie in to reducing food waste, a critical productivity challenge.

We approach innovation as a continuous process that involves collaboration with stakeholders, from growers to retailers. It’s about building partnerships that drive shared goals while fostering an internal culture which values experimentation and learning from both successes and setbacks. By embedding innovation into our daily operations, we can ensure we’re always moving toward a more productive and sustainable future.

UKFV: Net Zero food chains are at the forefront of many conversations and developments.  From your perspective, how do you think the industry can lead the transition to Net Zero, and what help do we need to make this transition?

TJ: Achieving Net Zero is indeed one of the most significant challenges our industry faces, but it is also an immense opportunity to innovate and lead. At Worldwide Fruit, we’ve taken a structured approach by developing a clear carbon reduction roadmap. This roadmap serves as a guiding framework, breaking down our long-term Net Zero goals into actionable milestones that we review and adapt regularly to ensure constant progress.

UKFV: Like many other sectors, the food chain has struggled with recruitment, but arguably, more so across this sector.  How can we ensure that our industry is attractive to existing workers and what steps can we take to influence career choices in the next generation?

TJ: Recruitment is both a challenge and a chance to reshape perceptions of the food sector as a purpose-driven and innovative industry. Retaining workers requires modernising work environments, adopting technology to make roles more engaging, and fostering leadership which inspires and supports employees. For the next generation, we need to highlight the variety of roles available in the industry. By showcasing the sector’s role in addressing global challenges like sustainability and health, we can attract talent motivated by meaningful work and long-term prospects.

UKFV: We are operating in a fast-changing world, with policy often lagging behind advancements in AI, tech and automation. A new government is in place and has the opportunity to implement radical new thinking for the sector across food security and sustainable production. 

What critical three things would you ask the new administration to do in support of the growth of the food chain in the UK Food Valley, and what practical and policy directives would you like them to make?

TJ: To support growth in the UK Food Valley, greater financial support is essential. AI is an exciting development, and while it is being heavily advanced in other sectors, it’s crucial that the food network doesn’t fall behind. New skills will be required to fully unlock the potential of technology, but there is already a gap in developing the experts of the future. Access to both new skills training and technology funding will be key to helping businesses thrive and secure a more sustainable future for the industry. This will ensure that the food sector remains competitive and innovative in the years to come.

Our thanks to Tim for joining us to discuss the sector and his support of the UK Food Valley. If you would like to find out more or get involved please email effie.warwick-john@lincolnshire.gov.uk or head over to our contributor website https://www.worldwidefruit.co.uk/.