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Dropping into Brock!

Posted on by RebeccaL

On Saturday afternoon, we gave a very berry welcome to Laura from New Forest Fruit at our Brockenhurst store! Not only did customers and staff get to try a tasty new treat, but we also heard about all the environmentally friendly methods used at New Forest Fruit.

Laura from New Forest Fruit at our Brockenhurst store

Environmentally friendly business      

Based in Beaulieu, New Forest Fruit has grown strawberries on the same site for over 15 years. Sustainability and the environment are at the forefront of the decisions made. One method used is specially designed sensors placed within the strawberry crops. These sensors indicate the humidity, temperature, and moisture levels of tunnels. The information provided allows the team to adjust the conditions within the tunnels, and as a result, the plants are healthier, which helps to reduce wastage.

A brand-new healthy summer snack

The summer is officially strawberry season, and there’s nothing better than enjoying deliciously sweet berries! However, there’s also a demand for dried fruit as a healthy ‘on-the-go’ snack alternative. This is something New Forest Fruit has considered, and as a result, launched a new product – called Pulsed Dried Strawberries.

The best thing about this product is – no added sugar or preservatives, only strawberries grown on the farm. These can be crushed and sprinkled over cereal or used in baking. Plus, pulsing splits the cells of the strawberry, so the berry can rehydrate and is ideal for infusing in drinks such as sparkling water or a celebration glass of prosecco! If that wasn’t enough, the packets are 100% compostable – so you can give a little back to nature too.

Summer picnic inspiration

The summer holidays are right around the corner, and if you are planning a picnic this summer, why not add this delicious, healthy, and nutritious alternative? The new range by New Forest Fruit Snacks is available now at your Welcome store – have you tried them yet?

Aligned business goals

At Welcome Stores, we work hard to use as many eco-friendly practices as possible, which is also achieved by being involved in several local initiatives. This work also allows us to support other businesses, like New Forest Fruit, to do the same. Pop into your local branch to hear more.

Welcome’s Brockenhurst store plays its part in ‘Plastic Free Communities’ Status

Posted on by RebeccaL

Brockenhurst has been recognised as one of the communities leading the way in tackling throw away plastic at source.

The “Plastic Free Community” status was awarded by Surfers Against Sewage and backed by Welcome’s Brockenhurst store and the Brockenhurst Village Hall in recognition of the work it has done to start reducing the impact of single-use plastic on the environment.

We heard from the team at Plastic Free Brockenhurst who sent us the following article to share with you. For more information, you can go to the website or follow the journey on Facebook.

The need for plastic-free

As an initiative of Greener Brockenhurst the campaign started last year after the idea was put forward at a community meeting and taken forward as a way of encouraging villagers, community groups and businesses to change habits.

Registering with the SAS Plastic Free Communities movement the group pulled together key organisations and businesses in the village to put in place a five-point plan.

The objectives included; setting up a community led steering group, instigating the SAS Plastic Free Schools education programme, getting local council commitment and working with local businesses, organisations and community groups to spread the word and minimise the amount of disposable plastics they use.

The campaign has had fantastic backing

Community groups in Brockenhurst in particular have all shown great commitment and support for the campaign. We now have in excess of 12 Community groups who have signed their pledge to become community allies – including Welcome’s Brockenhurst store – and consider ways to cut down on the amount of plastic they use in their activities. They have also pledged to communicate the aims of the campaign to their members.

Other support has come from St Saviours Church, the Scouts, Brownies, Mothers Union, The Allotment Association, The Village Hall Brockenhurst Business Association and the WI.

A plastic-free promise

Businesses have also played their part in winning the accreditation and made pledges on initiatives they will take to cut down on the plastic they use. Businesses that become Plastic Free Champions will display a badge of accreditation, so please look out for them around Brockenhurst.

The group is looking forward to more businesses taking the pledge to become champions as there are many that share the same ideals and we would encourage all businesses to step forward.

Plastic Free Community status is not easily won

It is a great achievement for the village and illustrates that there is a want and a wish to do more to reduce the amount of plastic used given the right encouragement.

A member of the Plastic Free Brockenhurst Campaign team said: “it has taken a lot of effort to get the accreditation but it great to see Brockenhurst join the many other communities committed to driving down their use of disposable plastic.”

Rainbow frozen fruit kebabs

Posted on by RebeccaL

Freshen up with these fruity treats — the tangy lemon curd and yogurt dip is a game-changer!

  • Feeds 24Feeds 24
  • Ready in 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 300g pack Co-op melon & mango fingers
  • 1 kiwi fruit, peeled
  • 24 blueberries
  • 12 red or black grapes, halved
  • 200g Co-op Greek style natural yogurt
  • 1 tbsp Co-op lemon curd
  • You‘ll also need 24 cocktail sticks

Method

  1. Cut the melon and mango into even pieces — you’ll need 24 pieces of mango and 24 of both types of melon
  2. Cut the kiwi into 24 similarly sized pieces
  3. Thread one piece of both types of melon, mango and kiwi onto each cocktail stick
  4. Finish with a blueberry and a half-grape
  5. Put the mini fruit kebabs on a baking tray lined with greaseproof paper and freeze for 2 hours, or until frozen
  6. Put the yogurt in a bowl and swirl through the lemon curd
  7. Serve with the frozen kebabs

Each serving contains

  • Energy 1%105kj 25kcal
  • Fat Med 1%1g
  • Saturates Med 3% 0.6g
  • Sugar Med 4% 3.3g
  • Salt Low 0%0.01g

% of adult’s reference intake | Carbohydrates per serving : 4g

Fish finger wraps

Posted on by RebeccaL

Everyone will love this great new way to enjoy a family favourite.

  • Feeds 4Feeds 4
  • Ready in 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 fish fingers
  • 1/2 x 300g tub Co-op creamy coleslaw
  • 250g bag Co-op sweet & crunchy salad
  • 4 large Co-op plain tortilla wraps

Method

  1. Cook the fish fingers in the oven according to the pack instructions
  2. Divide the coleslaw, followed by 80g of the salad, between the wraps
  3. Slice the cooked fish fingers and divide between the wraps
  4. Roll up each wrap and slice it in half
  5. Serve with the remaining salad

Each serving contains

  • Energy 20%1666kj 398kcal
  • Fat Med 25%17.4g
  • Saturates Low 13%2.6g
  • Sugar Low 6%5g
  • Salt Med 21%1.25g

% of adult’s reference intake | Carbohydrates per serving : 45g

Strawberry cheesecake bites

Posted on by RebeccaL

These delicious mouthfuls have all the flavour of the popular dessert, but require a fraction of the effort

  • Feeds 16Feeds 16
  • Ready in 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 large Co-op British strawberries, hulled
  • 200g Co-op light soft cheese
  • 2 tbsp Co-op strawberry jam
  • 1 tsp lemon zest (optional)
  • 60g Co-op ginger nut biscuits

Method

  1. Using a small knife, carefully cut away some of the insides of each strawberry, leaving a hollow
  2. Mix together the soft cheese, strawberry jam and lemon zest, if using, until smooth
  3. Using a teaspoon, fill each strawberry with the mixture
  4. Put the ginger nuts into a freezer bag, then bash into fine crumbs with a rolling pin
  5. Tip onto a saucer and dip the end of each strawberry into the biscuit crumbs to coat
  6. Serve immediately

Each serving contains

  • Energy 3% 228kj 54kcal
  • Fat Med 3%2g
  • Saturates Med 6% 1.2g
  • Sugar Med 5% 4.9g
  • Salt Low 2% 0.11g

% of adult’s reference intake | Carbohydrates per serving : 7g

Carrot cupcakes

Posted on by RebeccaL

Ideal as an Easter treat and great to do with the kids over the holidays, these carrot cupcakes will be popular with more than just the Easter bunny!

  • Feeds 12Feeds 12
  • Ready in 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 180g light brown soft sugar
  • 3 Co-op British eggs
  • 150ml vegetable oil
  • 200g Co-op self-raising flour
  • 2 tsp mixed spice
  • 250g Co-op British carrots, grated
  • Zest of 2 oranges
  • 100g Co-op unsalted butter, softened
  • 200g icing sugar
  • 100g Co-op light cream cheese
  • 75g pack Co-op gummy carrots

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/Gas 4
  2. Line a 12-hole muffin or cupcake tin with paper cases
  3. Beat together the sugar and eggs until fluffy, then slowly add the oil while whisking, until well combined
  4. Sift and fold in half the flour, add the mixed spice, then sift and fold in the rest
  5. Stir in the carrot and half of the orange zest
  6. Spoon the mixture into the paper cases and bake for 20-25 mins, until golden and a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean
  7. Leave to cool for 5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely
  8. Meanwhile, beat the butter until soft
  9. Add the icing sugar, and whisk until smooth and fluffy
  10. Add the cream cheese and remaining orange zest, and beat until just combined
  11. Pipe or spoon on the icing and decorate with a gummy carrot on top of each cake.

Each serving contains

  • Energy 21% 1754kj 419kcal
  • Fat 31% 21.7g
  • Saturates 35% 7g
  • Sugar 31% 37g
  • Salt 31% 0.3g

% of adult’s reference intake | Carbohydrates per serving : 51g