Jeremy Jaffe hits the news

We are feeling very proud of our boss Jeremy, who is also one of the co-owners of What On Earth.  Jeremy has been in the news quite a bit these past few days so we have therefore pulled together all of his media coverage to show you just how busy he has been.  Jeremy has been getting his five minutes of fame as he has been involved in interviews with several journalists.  The reason for this is because they have caught on to how successful 2011 was for What On Earth.  (We actually blogged about how good last year was in our previous blog post).  The news of the success was published on:

• Fresh Business Thinking
• Retail Times
• Why I Love Organic
• Organic Portal
• Agro Food Planet
• 73 Shelves

The story was also discussed in great depth on the International Business Times.  This piece was a favourite of Jeremy’s because it contained a HUGE photo of him!  You can read the article here: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/

After journalists found out about the company's success, other publications were interested in chatting with Jeremy about the organic food market as a whole – in particular, the popular trade publication, Food Manufacture.  As a result of the interview the following article was published….and it’s one in which Jeremy caused quite a stir! http://www.foodmanufacture.co.uk/

Finally, our Jeremy was featured in London’s Evening Standard as he posed a business question to Dragon’s Den star and famous entrepreneur, James Caan.  The letter got published and Jeremy’s name was once again in lights.  You can check out his question here:

Simply famous.

Simply Nectar

Bumper year for Simply Nectar and What On Earth

It's been written about on the internet and Jeremy has been giving interviews about it over the phone but we haven't yet told you about it.  Sorry about that folks.  We hadn't forgotten about you - it's just been a busy week.  So, what is the 'it' that I talk about?  'It' is the excellent year we had last year.  Oh yes, 2011 was a magnificent time for What On Earth and Simply Nectar and for this we feel thankful, proud, appreciative, ecstatic, pleased...the list could go on.

Last year alone What On Earth managed to produce more than 15 tonnes of organic dips and almost 200,000 pints of organic soup - almost double the amount of products made in 2010.  The company bucked trends and forecasts and proceeded to have one of the most successful years in operation, despite continual reports on the weakening organic market and the slump in food sales.

Throughout the year What On Earth generated high revenue and managed to deliver over half a million products to customers. Pretty amazing huh?  In total, this included seven tonnes of hummus, five tonnes of mezze and more than three tonnes of babaganoush.  You greedy lot you!  Not that we're moaning of course.  The chefs also managed to cook in excess of 23,000 buckets of soup and more than 16,000 pizzas and pizza bases – a huge increase on 2010. 


Taken from slashfood.com - with thanks



Just add another 16,000 to the pile

The head honcho, Jeremy, is putting the success down to the fact that both What On Earth and Simply Nectar supply smaller, independent stores rather than the large supermarkets.  He thinks we've managed to buck the trends because we work with small, high-end suppliers. It has offered some protection against the rising food prices that are affecting supermarkets across the country you see.  Our products sell in the stores we supply because they aren’t available cheaper in any supermarkets.  Plus you customers are a lot more loyal to the little guys and for that we are truly thankful.

As you know, What On Earth act as a supplier and distributor as well as a manufacturer and there are teams working 24 hours to keep up with demand.  In 2011 the night team, which is made up of just six members of staff, delivered almost 180,000 loaves of bread while the rest of the nation slept.  Impressive hey?   We owe them a huge thank you, so...THANK YOU GUYS.

What On Earth believes that organic is a choice and they make organic food so all of you can have this choice.  What On Earth promise, therefore, to continue making delicious products for as long as you want them.  We will also promise to continue producing excellent Simply Nectar.  It's our New Year's resolution to you.  Jeremy and Rolf started What On Earth in order to put the goodness back in food and to change the way society eats and that is what they are still doing now.  Hurrah. 

Here's to an excellent 2012.

Simply successful.

Simply Nectar

Shoplifting celebrities over the years

British chef, Antony Worrall Thompson was arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Tesco store on Friday 6 January 2012.  He is said to have been cautioned for pilfering goods, including cheese and wine, via the self-service checkout area.  The alleged crimes were caught on camera by store chiefs in the Henley On Thames outlet, Oxfordshire.

This recent news didn’t shock us here at Simply Nectar and What On Earth.  It’s not that we expected Worrall Thompson to steal food – far from it in fact – we just weren’t surprised that yet another celebrity was caught taking what wasn’t rightfully theirs…and ultimately not punished properly as a result.  Stealing is against the law – that is drummed into us at an early age but why on earth do some of these celebrities get away with it?  Would Joe Public get away with such crimes we ask?

Looking back over the years, there has been a long line of celebrity thefts; some shocking, some not so.  We therefore thought we’d give you a run down of our top ten favourite light-fingered stars.

Lindsay Lohan’s endless bad behaviour has resulted in large media coverage and even saw the well known actress spend time behind bars.  Over the years Lindsay’s crimes have seen her accused of stealing a $2,500 necklace and for‘borrowing’ Masha Markova’s $11,000 fur coat.

Other largely reported and infamous shoplifting incidences were those of Winona Ryder.  In 2002, Ryder was arrested for stealing £3,000 worth of clothing from a Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills.  Six years later she was allegedly spotted leaving a Hollywood store with make up on her that she hadn’t paid for.

Those are not the only two celebrities to have been caught with their fingers in the till, as it were.  Other big names include:

Peaches Geldof: In October 2011, Bob Geldof’s daughter, Peaches, was allegedly caught helping herself to almost £70 worth of make up from a Boots store in London.  According to reports, Peaches was followed by a plain-clothes Boots store detective as she shamelessly loaded her pockets and shopping bags with what was apparently nearly £70 worth of mascara, foundation and eyeliner.  Peaches had been involved with shoplifting in the past but once again she was let go without charge.

David de Gea: In 2011, the Spanish, Manchester United player allegedly picked up an Original Glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut and ate it in the magazine aisle of a Tesco store before walking towards the exit without paying, or buying anything else.

Gabriela Irimia: In January 2011, Cheeky Girl, Gabriela, was detained after stealing groceries said to be worth about £40 from a Sainsbury's store in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Adam Rickett: In 2007, the model/actor left a New Zealand supermarket with a block of cheese, a bottle of HP Sauce and a jar of coffee.  He was caught for his actions and although he admitted to the theft he said it was just an "honest mistake".

Glen Johnson: The England football star was reportedly fined by police for trying to steal a toilet seat and bath taps from B&Q in 2007.

Britney Spears: The popular singer was accused of pinching a wig just hours after stripping down to try on a pair of briefs in an adult store in Los Angeles in 2007.  It was alleged that after an altercation with staff, Spears took a wig off a mannequin and left without paying for it.  She has also been involved in several other shoplifting incidences in the years after this one.

Jennifer Capriati: The three-time tennis Grand Slam champion was caught leaving a Florida shopping mall with a cheap silver ring in 1993.

Well there you have it – ten top celebrities that have been caught shoplifting over the years.  And these are just some of them.  Who knows how many haven’t been caught too – not that we’re making accusations of course!

Word of advice to celebrities…pay for the items next time.  If us law abiding non famous citizens can do it, I’m sure you can too.

Simply shoplifters.

Simply Nectar

New Year's resolutions made simple with Simply Nectar

Happy New Year everyone.  We hope you saw in 2012 in pure Simply Nectar style.  We did of course.  How else would we see it in?!  Now, as it’s the New Year we know that many of you will be making resolutions.  Whether you keep them up is a whole different thing but I’m sure the effort will be made – for the first few weeks at least!

We have been looking at the most common New Year’s resolutions and we have seen that they all revolve around looking and feeling good.  Some of the most popular resolutions include:
 

• Keeping a healthy diet
• Joining a gym
• Giving up smoking/drinking
• Spending time with family and friends
• Learning a new skill
• Enjoying life more
• Not getting stressed
• Achieving career goals

Courtesy of Ambro / freedigitalphotos.net

Now, we’re not claiming to be able to turn you into a buff, toned, health and fitness guru but we reckon we may be able to help.  How?  Well, by pushing Simply Nectar of course :)  Apologies for the shameless self promotion but we believe Simply Nectar really could help you keep to your resolutions – or some of them anyway.

We can help with the healthy diet goal and possibly the giving up drinking goal.  We can even help with enjoying life more because consuming more fruit means a healthier mind and body.  This means you’re set up to be happier, more confident and more ambitious.  

A daily intake of fruit can benefit the body in numerous ways.  It can aid weight loss, energy gain and the daily intake of water.  Fruit contains 80% water so adding more to the diet means an increased overall water intake.  Fruit can also help digestive problems, lower cholesterol levels and stimulate the memory.  Incredible huh?

Courtesy of Grant Cochrane / freedigitalphotos.net

Here at Simply Nectar we produce eight different flavoured drinks.  The drinks contain natural fruit and are free from pesticides and refined sugars.  If the drinks need sweetening at all only natural lemon or grape juice is added.  There are no other ingredients – the drinks are pure simplicity, hence the name, Simply Nectar.

The flavours are:

• Raspberry – raspberries are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and fibre
• Citron Presse – lemons are high in vitamins, help digestion and prevent vomiting, throat trouble, acidity and rheumatism 
• Pear – pears are high in vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, folate and boron
• Mango – mangos are rich in pre-biotic dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
• Apricot – apricots are low in calories and are a rich source of dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. They are packed with numerous health promoting phyto-chemicals; that helps prevent heart disease, reduce cholesterol levels and offer protection against cancers
• Peach – peaches are a good source of many different vitamins and minerals, but one that is particularly important is potassium
• Orange – oranges are an excellent source of vitamin C and flavonoids.  One orange supplies nearly 100 percent of the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin C.  They are high in fibre, potassium, folic acid, calcium and amino acids
• Apple – apples are a rich source of dietary fibre. They are also high in sources of antioxidant and the mineral boron, which helps to promote bone growth
  
  

Photo by Laura Collins

If you make virgin cocktails with the Simply Nectar you won’t crave alcohol because the taste of the fruit will be so good without it.  The fruit will enhance natural happiness and energy levels so alcohol will not be needed in this respect either.

Finally, if you drink Simply Nectar while reading a foreign dictionary you may even get to learn a language…that’s definitely attempting to get a new skill under your belt.

Sorted!

Simply resolutions.

Simply Nectar

For the sake of Auld Lang Syne

It's almost New Year's Eve and if you're anything like us you'll be looking forward to a good old knees up to celebrate the coming of the New Year.  The team at Simply Nectar and What On Earth will all be celebrating in different ways and I in particular will be dressing up in a fancy dress costume to see in 2012.  I haven't decided what I'm going as yet...perhaps a piece of fruit or a bottle of Simply Nectar?!

Now, I've been celebrating New Year's Eve since I was small and every year the classic New Year song, Auld Lang Syne, is always sung out with pride.  I try to join in but to be honest I never know the words.  I can join in with the chorus but that literally is about it.  I thought I would take it upon myself to learn the words this year so my friends don't have to listen to me singing the same line over and over again.  If you're like me and you don't know the words either take a look at this.  It could help you...

Should auld acquaitance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaitance be forgot
And auld lang syne!

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

Well, that's pretty much it!  I can't believe I didn't know those few lines.  I believe the old Scottish version has many other verses but to be honest, at the parties I've been to anyway, the song never seems to get that far.  I think revellers are more interested in kissing each other and getting on with the party than singing Auld Lang Syne!

So, there we have it; the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne so you can all sing your hearts out tomorrow night.  I hope to hear your voices wherever you are in the world.

Have a fabulous New Year's Eve everybody and a happy and healthy 2012.

Courtesy of Simon Howden / freedigitalphotos.net

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Simply 2012

Simply Nectar

When Christmas comes to town - in Poland

The staff at Simply Nectar and What On Earth are a real mix of nationalities.  We have people from every corner of the globe working here and this is something we are extremely proud of.  We believe in equal rights and we follow this by employing a wide variety of personalities.  All across the company – from drivers to chefs, from accountants to buyers – there are people from different countries working together.  We have staff from England, Ireland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Italy, Brazil, Thailand… the list could go on.

As we have such a mix we find that we are rich in cultures and traditions.  This makes special times of the year, Christmas especially, extremely interesting.  We get to learn a lot about how different countries celebrate festive occasions.  It’s amazing what we find out too.  We therefore want to share our knowledge with you guys.  We’ve had a little chat with Marta our HR Administrator and she has given us an insight into Christmas in Poland.

Credit: www.mcm-amb.com

The festive fun starts with Advent, which is traditionally an important season in the Polish year.  Special church services, known as Roraty were held at 6am every morning and the four Sundays of Advent are said to represent the 4,000 years of waiting for Christ.

During Advent some people pour bees wax or plain wax on water so fortunes can be told from the shapes that emerge.  Special tasks are also carried out, such as baking Christmas piernik (gingerbread) and making decorations.  Advent also sees the “gwiazdory", or star carriers, wandering through the towns and villages, sometimes singing carols, reciting verses or putting on puppet shows and nativity scenes.  This would continue until Epiphany.  Unfortunately, according to Marta, these traditions are fading and are only really retained in small villages nowadays. 

Credit: Thatwife.wordpress.com

Christmas Trees are decorated and lit in homes on the day of Christmas Eve and beautifully decorated trees are placed in public areas.  Traditionally they were decorated with shiny apples, gift walnuts, wrapped up chocolate shapes and homemade decorations and candles.  A star or other glittery feature sits on the top of the tree. In many homes, sparklers are hung on the branches of the trees and sometimes the trees are left standing until 2 February, which is the feast day of St Mary of the Candle of Lightning.

Credit: Polandculinaryvacations.com

Christmas Eve, Wigilia, is the most significant part of the Polish Christmas as important rituals are celebrated on this day.  Polish people fast throughout the day and then sit down to a large feast in the evening.  Children watch the sky for the first star to appear and when it does the Wiglia feast can begin.  The meal, which can last for hours, normally consists of fish (usually carp) and other traditional Polish dishes.  No red meat is served.  The feast begins with the breaking of an opłatek – a thin wafer into which a holy picture is pressed.  Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and eats it as a symbol of their unity with Christ. They then share a piece with each family member.  It is said that as each individual shares a piece of wafer, they are supposed to forgive family members for any previous wrongdoings and wish them happiness in the coming year.

Credit: boze-narodzenie.dlamnie.com

Polish families partake in different traditions at meal time.  Some spread hay beneath the tablecloth as a reminder that Christ was born in a manger, while others place money under the tablecloth for each guest as a wish for prosperity in the coming year.  Some families practice the superstition that an even number of people must be seated around the table and others set up a place at the table that is left empty.  This empty space can symbolise different things.  It can be for Baby Jesus, a lonely wanderer who may be in need of food or a deceased relative who may want to share the meal.

Once the meal is over there is an exchange of gifts and the evening is then full of stories and songs around the Christmas tree.  Christmas Eve ends with Pasterka, the midnight mass at the local church.

Credit: 1000rad.pl

Christmas Day is often spent visiting friends and family and although gifts are given, more emphasis is put on making special food and decorations.

So, there we have it.  A quick round up of how Christmas is celebrated in Poland.  Marta is going home for the festive period so perhaps if I ask her nicely she may bring back some photographs for us.  Come on now Marta, don’t be a spoil sport :-)

We hope you learnt a little something from this post…see education can be fun!  I’ll have to try and chat with some of the other guys to see how they celebrate Christmas in their countries as well.  Until then, have a lovely few days and of course have a very merry Christmas.  Hoooray!

Simply Christmas.

Simply Nectar

The Story of our Christmas party

We’re getting in the Christmas spirit here at Simply Nectar.  We’re not putting decorations up or anything like that, not just yet anyway.  That would be a bit too keen!  Instead we’re discussing all the fun we had at the Christmas do on Friday night.  Listening to all the stories going around the office it seemed we all partied our pants off….well not literally, unless of course I haven’t heard about that bit yet. 

Our night started at our favourite organic pizzeria, Story Deli, in the east end of London.  Here they do some of the tastiest pizzas we’ve eaten, using all the very best organic ingredients (a lot of which come from our friends here at What On Earth).  Mmmm, it’s making me hungry just thinking of the Story Deli pizzas, despite having eaten my own body weight in them last week.  With the thin and crispy bases, the mounds of rocket and the rest of the delectable toppings, those pizzas definitely went down well with the team – especially Rolf.  I think he got through 3 in the end!  You should check out Story Deli for yourself and see what you think.  They’re very friendly in there so pop along and say hello.  Tell them we sent you too :-) http://storydeli.com/

Inside Story Deli

Jeremy and I got to the restaurant early to decorate the tables and if I’m honest I think we did a blooming good job.  We used tinsel, crackers and candles to give the table a Christmassy feel.  We then wrapped up some chocolates and put them in everybody’s place.  What more could they ask for?!  Unfortunately there were no excited gasps or cheers of approval when everybody turned up to see our work of art but sadly we can’t have anything I suppose.  We were proud of our hard work.

We spent the next few hours (about 5 to be exact!) talking, laughing, eating, drinking and generally indulging ourselves in true merriment….as well as mountains of tasty pizza.  We pulled crackers (actual crackers…that isn’t a metaphor), we told jokes and we took photos.  We really did see in Christmas in style, despite the big day still being a few weeks away.  Ah well, that’s just a tiny matter in my eyes.

Another great aspect of the party is that everybody got to socialise together.  Due to the nature of the Simply Nectar / What On Earth business, there are a lot of staff members who work through the night.  The day workers therefore don’t get to see the night workers very often so the party gave us all a chance to be together for a few hours.  It made us feel like one big happy family and the more wine we drank (not Simply Nectar this time), the more happy we became!

Sometime after 11pm we got chucked out of Story Deli (not that we’d outstayed our welcome of course…!) and moved on to some more bars, leaving a mound of plates, bottles, glasses, crumbs, party hats, empty crackers and decorations in our wake.  It’s ok though…the guys who run Story Deli are our friends so of course they didn’t mind….we hope.

The night ended a little later and everybody proceeded to make their way home across London in the early hours of Saturday morning.  It appears that everybody made it into the office in one piece today so it seems we all survived the night, and the impending headaches the morning after.  With the office party done and dusted we now know it isn’t long until Christmas Day is upon us and yet more parties are due to be attended.  Boy, I love this festive time of year.

Simply Christmas

Simply Nectar