Final Magazine - March

THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
Farmfoods
MARCH 2016 • ISSUE 1
MEET THE
TRAINING TEAM
Magazine
Meet members of the training team based in
our Yardley office pg 8-9
farmfoods
THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
5 MINUTES WITH MARK
Questions and answers with
Mark Rogers
pg 6
WINNER
1
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THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
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THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
BRANCH
MANAGER
farmfoods
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FARMFOODS WINS GOLD AT
TOP TRAINING AWARDS
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pg 4-5

Welcome to the first edition of the Farmfoods
Magazine. Over the past two years Farmfoods
News has provided you with fortnightly updates
on things that matter to you. We’ve seen it all,
from a new distribution centre, to a branch being
struck by lightning! Which has been great, but it’s
time for a change.
Your new Farmfoods Magazine will provide
monthly news and updates from across our
business. The magazine will still have some of
the regular features like ‘meet the team’ but will
also include a variety of new features such as
Farmfoods recipes.
This magazine will not write itself and we need
YOUR help! Please share your stories, tips and
knowledge by emailing news@farmfoods.co.uk
What’s Inside
Grays refurb 3
Farmfoods wins gold 4
Farmfoods recipe 6
5 Minutes with Mark 7
Meet the Training Team 8
Think small 10
Most wanted 10
Distribution news 12
Got it right! 14
Internal jobs 15
Dear George
“I love hearing from people all across Farmfoods and respond personally
to every single email I receive. So if you have a question, a comment, a
suggestion, idea or even if you want to mention something that you are proud
of or is going well where you work, email me at
deargeorge@farmfoods.co.uk. You can also write to me at George Herd,
Farmfoods, 1507 Coventry Road, Yardley, Birmingham, B25 8LW (cut out and
use the space below) or call me on 07739 819773. I’ll print some of the best
letters here each month and I look forward to hearing from you. ”
Send to:
Dear George...
George Herd
Farmfoods
1507 Coventry Rd
Yardley
Birmingham
B25 8LW

On Friday 19th February
our newly refurbished Grays
branch opened its doors
at 7.00am and the team
and their customers were
delighted with their new
look branch.
First Weekend Sales
£15,366
GRAYS
REFURB
First Weekend Customers
2,128
Did you know...? Our refurbishment programme aims to refresh stores once every 10 years. With circa 330
stores, we need to average around 30 stores a year and we look to carry out 7-8 refurbishments a quarter.
There are many challenges with managing and conducting a refurbishment, the biggest are time constraints and
unforeseen events. The key to this is planning, planning, planning! From great planning comes great product.
Most refurbishments involve 15-20 separate suppliers and contractors that need to know when and where to be
with what.
3

FARMFOODS WINS GOLD AT
TOP TRAINING AWARDS
“I think
there is a lot
that other
organisations
could
learn from
Farmfoods’
innovative
approach to
training and
development.”
At the start of 2015 we launched
one of the most significant
improvements in training for
our retail team in recent years.
The program was the product of 12
months of hard work in collaboration
with many people in various different
roles within Farmfoods and with our
e-learning partner Sponge UK.
Our new training package contained a
number of different elements:
• Four interactive e-learning courses,
tailored to specific job roles.
• The Retail Handbook, a companion
for the first two e-learning courses,
containing information to help new
and existing retail assistants get to
grips with their role.
• The Branch Operations Manual
(BOM), a web-based reference
manual covering all processes and
procedures involved in running a
Farmfoods branch.
The positive feedback received by our
training team has been overwhelming
and proved that this new package
4
has been a great success but the icing
on the cake came in November 2015
when Farmfoods together with Sponge
UK were shortlisted as finalists in the
Learning and Performance Institute’s
Learning Awards out of thousands of
other entries.
Did you know...?
In 2015 we spent over 10,000 Hours
completing e-learning.
The e-learning was accessed over
25,000 times from a mobile phone
or tablet.
60% of people who have completed
additional e-learning have done so
because they’re hoping to apply for
a more senior position in the future.
In our survey 9 out of 10 of people
told us that they found the new
training package to be improved
over the previous Focus On training
modules.

Carly Stuart and Kate Nicholls of Sponge UK with Ronnie Morgan and George Herd of Farmfoods.
The awards were presented in London
on Thursday 4th February and
Farmfoods and Sponge UK won gold!
We caught up with Louise Pasterfield of
Sponge UK and Ronnie Morgan, Head of
Training and Development at Farmfoods
who had this to say about the award:
“I think there is a lot that other
organisations could learn from
Farmfoods’ innovative approach to
training and development.”
Louise Pasterfield, Managing Director,
Sponge UK.
“We set out to create something
engaging, modern and useful and
we are delighted that the result has
achieved recognition by winning gold
at these awards. Everyone within
Farmfoods can take pride in this award
and share in this success as without the
commitment of our retail management
teams and the enthusiasm of those who
completed the training none of this
would have been possible, so well done
to all.”
Ronnie Morgan, Head of Training and
Development, Farmfoods.
The training team are constantly looking
to improve and build on what we have
achieved so far.
If you have any comments or
suggestions on how to improve training
at Farmfoods drop the team an email at
training@farmfoods.co.uk or give
them a call on 0121 700 7160.
5

What do you get up to outside
work?
As well as spending time with
family and friends, I enjoy
travelling and have a passion for
aviation, although I wouldn't call
myself a plane spotter as I prefer
flying them! I have held my
private pilot license for 10 years.
What was the naughtiest thing
you did as a child?
Crashed my Dad's brand new car
into the front of the house at the
age of 5, he wasn't very happy
and I've never been allowed to
forget it!
What is your favourite film?
Being a former Naval Officer
and having a keen interest in
aviation, there is only one choice
here and so it has to be Top Gun!
Maybe I shouldn't admit that I
probably used to know most of
the script off by heart! The lead
character, 'Maverick', takes a few
risks and makes a few mistakes
and that's quite important to us
at Farmfoods too - we should all
try new things and not be afraid
of making a mistake or two
along the way, that's how we
learn and make progress.
What gets you out of bed in
the morning?
Apart from the thought of a
great breakfast made from
Farmfoods bacon and eggs,
probably the simple knowledge
that today is going to be
different - every day in retail is
different, I love that, every day is
a challenge and a school day.
5 Minutes with Mark
This month we spent 5 minutes with Mark Rogers, Retail Operations Director
Given the chance, who would
you like to be for a day?
Tim Peake, because the view
he must have from the Space
Station at the moment must
be pretty amazing. For a more
down to Earth option, Sir Richard
Branson, because I find him very
inspirational and I'd like to know
how his mind works.
What is your motto or personal
mantra?
Carpe Diem, or 'seize the day'.
What is on your wish list for
the next five years in your new
role?
I see my role as a privilege -
a privilege to work with so
many motivated and positive
individuals and teams. It would
be easy to reel off a list of
company or personal objectives.
However, there are really only
two things on my wish list.
Everything else stems from them.
The first is an aim to become the
employer of choice for anyone
who wants to work in retail.
That's important because behind
that is my view that our people
are our most important asset.
Through providing great career
opportunities and empowering
everyone at every level, we
will enjoy continued success.
The second thing is to stay true
to our mission statement of
simplicity, value and having the
friendliest shops in town. My
list is simple: people and the
Farmfoods mission.
What advice would you give
to someone who has recently
joined the Farmfoods team?
I would advise that they should
pat themselves on the back
as they've joined a team that
really works hard and has some
fun along the way. On a more
serious note, they should expect
to be challenged, supported and
assisted in achieving their goals
- what is important to them is
important to us.
6

Salmon en Croute
Cooking Instructions
Ingredients (Serves 4)
4 Finest Catch Salmon Portions
(defrosted in the fridge and then patted
dry)
1 pack of Farmfoods Puff Pastry
(defrosted)
1 handful of frozen Farmfoods Sliced
Onions
4 blocks of Farmfoods frozen Whole Leaf
Spinach
1 garlic clove (crushed)
Elmlea Double
1 egg (whisked)
1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (Gas 5).
2. Cook the spinach from frozen in a frying
pan until defrosted and any excess
liquid has cooked away, set aside.
3. In a little oil cook the onion and garlic
until soft.
4. Take off the heat add the spinach back
in and stir in enough Elmlea to loosen
the mix, approx 1-2 tbsp, season to
taste.
5. Cut the pastry block into two pieces,
approx one third and two thirds, the
smaller of the two will be your base.
Roll each of the pieces out to about the
thickness of a pound coin.
6. Divide each piece into four, place the
bases on a lightly floured baking tray
and place a salmon portion in the
centre of each base.
7. Divide the spinach mixture into four
and place across the top of each salmon
portion.
8. Brush egg around the edge of the
pastry base and then place the tops on
each. Crimp the edges of each parcel
with a fork and trim the pastry, brush
the whole parcel with egg and score
across the top of each, cutting all the
way through the pastry.
9. Bake for 25 minutes until the pastry
is puffed and golden and the salmon
cooked all the way through. Great with
some Farmfoods mash and peas!
If you have your own recipe suggestions
that you would like featured in next
month’s issue of the magazine, please
send an email to
news@farmfoods.co.uk
7
Farmfoods Recipes

This month we have caught up with the
Farmfoods Training and Development
Team to find out a bit more about the
part they play in supporting our business.
Based at our office in Yardley this team
of six are responsible for supporting all
parts of the business in developing their
people. A typical week might see the
team developing a new e-learning module,
understanding and developing best practice
for a new process or updating existing
material to make sure it stays current.
Over the past two years Farmfoods
has invested significantly in Training
and Development and while there
has been a lot achieved so far, we’re
sure there is plenty more to come.
MEET THE
TRAINING
TEAM
Find out more about the people in our
Training and Development team below.
Nicola Morgan, Senior Training &
Development Advisor
“I joined Farmfoods at the beginning
of January this year. I was looking for
a new challenge in a role where I could
really make a difference to people
across a business. Farmfoods was the
perfect match for me and I have felt
truly welcomed into the business. I am
looking forward to putting some of my
existing skills as a trainer into action
and learning some new skills along the
way too. I’m really excited to be a part
of the future of training at Farmfoods!”
Harry Carter, Training &
Development Advisor
“I started working at Farmfoods whilst
I was at school, working in the Yardley
branch where I really enjoyed the fast
paced branch environment. At the start
of 2015 I heard about an opportunity to
join the Training and Development team,
who were based in the office next door to
my branch and I thought, why not, as I was
ready for a new challenge. Over the past
year I’ve developed a whole new range
of skills by getting stuck in and working
hard and the opportunities that have
come from that have been fantastic.”
8
Michelle Neal, Central
Operations Manager
“Four years ago I joined Farmfoods as
a Customer Service Assistant and at
that time there were only a handful of
people working in the Yardley office. As
the business and office has grown I’ve
had lots of opportunities to progress,
firstly to Customer Service Manager
and in 2014 to Central Operations
Manager. I have overall responsibility
for our Apprenticeship and Management
Development Programmes. Having been
involved with both programmes from the
very early stages it’s great to have the
opportunity to take the lead in driving
these great programmes forward.”

Ronnie Morgan, Head of Training
& Development
“I joined Farmfoods just over 5 years ago as
a Graduate and after a period of intensive
training took responsibility for an Area
of 8 branches within Central Scotland.
Over the following three years my area
grew in size and I had the opportunity to
manage a number of different branches
across Scotland, giving me a great insight
into the business. In January 2014 I was
successful in gaining my current position,
something which I was really excited
about. Over the past two years we have
achieved a lot however I believe we are
on an exciting journey to make Farmfoods
the best place to work and shop.”
Luke Hickling,
Learning Designer
“I’m a recent graduate with a graphic
design background. Studying Creative
Digital Media at the University of
Worcester allowed me to gain experience
in lots of different areas of design. My role
at Farmfoods gives me the opportunity
to use and develop these skills as well as
being able to get involved in lots of other
projects which makes things interesting.”
9
Daniella Tempest,
Learning Designer
“As a recent Graduate with 2 years
experience in e-learning, I have recently
joined Farmfoods as a Learning Designer.
After 2 weeks of intensive training I
have been given responsibility for a
really exciting project. This is only the
beginning of my journey with Farmfoods
but I’m sure it will be a great one.”

think small
Little things make a big difference to
our efficiency. You should try and think
of small differences to improve your
effieciency while at work.
1. Gently place the tray of cans
face down on the freezer lid. Using
your safety knife cut two diagonal
lines in the plastic from corner to
corner.
Bulk Displays
A persistant
offender, bulk
displays or
pallets left to
run low have
been causing
trips across the
country. Put a
stop to this now
by replenishing
bulk displays
and removing
empty pallets and
plinths promptly.
2. Gripping the plastic tightly turn
the tray upright and place onto the
shelf.
Stepping onto our
most wanted list,
ladders are useful
to have around
to work safely at
height but when
you’re finished with
them take a step in
the right direction,
fold them up and
store them in the
backshop.
Step Ladders
3. Remove the plastic from the
corners of the tray and face up the
cans.
Thanks to Harry Carter, Training & Development Advisor,
Yardley Office for this tip.
Do you have a great simple idea to improve efficiency?
Let us know by emailing news@farmfoods.co.uk.
10

Slips, trips and falls are some of the biggest causes of accidents in our
branches and in our distribution centres. It’s important that when you come
to work at Farmfoods that you go home in the same condition you arrived in,
although maybe a little tired. Let’s look at the line up some of the biggest slip,
trip and fall culprits.
Water
One of our moist
wanted offenders is
water brought onto
our floors by wet
weather and from
spillages. Regular
floor checks, dry
mopping and quick
action will prevent
water from being a
hazard on your floor.
Plastic Strapping
Great for holding
stock together but
when left to it’s own
devices on the floor
these guys can cause
really nasty trips. Cut
them open with your
safety knife and put
them into the plastic
recycling.
Apart from looking
untidy, leftover litter
from deliveries and
customers can cause
serious accidents.
They’re on our most
wanted list, lookout
for them throughout
the day and send
them to the slammer
(or the appopriate
waste bin).
Litter
11

DISTRIBUTION
NEWS
Driver Development
Programme
We are delighted to announce that we have
been approved as a trainer to all drivers to
deliver complete in depth on the job training
towards Driver Certificate of Professional
Competence (DCPC). Drivers are required
to complete a DCPC every 5 years having
completed 35 hours of training.
We will be providing training modules on topics
covering - fuel efficiency; the operating rules
and correct use of tachograph equipment;
coupling and uncoupling of trailers in the
safe and correct manner; and various other
disciplines.
We have 6 driver trainers across our depots
ready to start our comprehensive training.
12

IRTEC Accreditation for Vehicle
Maintenance Unit Staff
Farmfoods Distribution now has two
technicians registered on the IRTEC
(Institute of Road Transport Engineers)
accreditation scheme –
James Wade – Warrington VMU
Gary Burns – Cumbernauld VMU.
license card, a certificate and are placed
on the national IRTEC register of approved
technicians.
Both Gary and James have achieved
excellent results and will be in the running
for IRTEC Technician of the Year 2016.
IRTEC is a voluntary accreditation
scheme that assesses the safety and
competence of technicians who maintain
and repair vehicles in the commercial
vehicle, trailer and passenger carrying
industries supported by the Institute
of Road Transport Engineers, Society of
Operations Engineers and the Institute of
Motor Industry.
Congratulations to both and good luck!
Once accredited, IRTEC technicians abide
by the IRTEC code of conduct, receive a
Gordon Ellis
On Friday 19th February Gordon Ellis a Driver based at our
Warrington depot sadly lost his battle with cancer. Gordon
worked with Farmfoods for over 5 years delivering to branches
around the North East and Yorkshire. Gordon will be sadly
missed by all his colleagues and our thoughts go out to his
family and friends at this sad time.
3

Got it Right
Farmfoods people are fast and friendly. Each
month our customer service team will pick their
favourite compliment email, letter or call to be
featured in Farmfoods Magazine. This month
the team couldn’t decide between two so we’ve
featured both.
THE TEAM AT PONDERS END
One of our customers visiting Ponders End
fell ill whilst in the branch. They contacted
our customer service team to praise the
quick actions of the team in Ponders
End who were helpful and knew exactly
what to do to make the customer feel
comfortable and put them at ease.
Aaron serving at the till in the Peterbrough store.
AARON AT PETERBOROUGH
Aaron helped us get it right as a customer
took some time out of her day to contact
the customer service team to explain how
friendly and helpful he was whilst serving
at the till. Aaron helped our customer to
pack and explained how she could use
the vouchers she had with her leaflet to
receive a discount on her shop.
Language
Barriers
We’re a nationwide company with branches all over the country.
This can lead to some amusing misunderstandings when talking to
colleagues in a different part of the country. Check out these local
language quirks.
Pop
Microwave
Pieces
Cobs, Baps
and in the
north - Bread
Cakes
Fizzy Juice
Sandwich
Rolls
Popty Ping
14

INTERNAL OPPORTUNITIES
In January of this year Farmfoods made a commitment that all retail positions at
Branch Manager level and above would only be filled internally. This month we ask,
what does this mean for you? Well, if you are currently a Retail Assistant, Supervisor,
Assistant Manager or Branch Manager it means that there will be more opportunities
for you to progress in your Farmfoods career than ever before.
You can check out our internal jobs board at any time from any device by visiting
internaljobs.farmfoods.co.uk you can also find a link to this from your Branch PC.
Once there you can search and apply for all our current internal opportunities.
Don’t worry if you don’t feel ready for the next step just yet. We have some fantastic
development programmes available (find out more on the back cover) and an award
winning retail training programme. Did you know that you can access all levels of
our retail e-learning regardless of your current position?
Below we have featured just two of our current opportunities but remember you can
search and apply for all opportunities at internaljobs.farmfoods.co.uk
BRANCH MANAGER IN ACCRINGTON
ASSISTANT MANAGER IN HULL
The Accrington Viaduct
Chris Poots, Area Manager for area 32, is
delighted to be opening a new branch in
Accrington, Lancashire in April this year. With
the new branch comes an exciting opportunity
for a Branch Manager to take the reins and lead
the new team.
“It’s an exciting time for our area to be getting a
new branch and I am looking for a truly talented
Branch Manager who can build an amazing team
and business. The great thing about a new branch
is that you get the most up to date equipment and
tools to do the job as well as an amazing new team
who you get to mould into the Farmfoods way of
life.”
The role offers a salary of £21,840 to £27,540
depending on experience. Have you got what
it takes? You can apply for this position now by
visiting internaljobs.farmfoods.co.uk or if you
would like to chat about it first you can call Chris
Poots, Area Manager, on 07885 459713.
15
North Point shopping centre
Hull, city of culture for 2017, is the birthplace
of boiled sweets. Farmfoods currently have
three branches in the area and shortly a fourth
branch will be opening in the busy out of town
shopping centre, North Point and we are looking
for an Assisstant Manager for the team.
Our Assistant Managers are key members of the
branch management team. They support the
Branch Manager by ensuring the smooth day to
day running of the branch. Assistant Managers
take full responsibility for availability, product
quality, customer service and presentation
standards within the branch and work hard to
organise and motivate the team to get the job
done.
This position attracts a salary of £16,860 to
£20,400 depending upon experience and
relocation assistance can be offered if Hull
isn’t on your doorstep. You can apply for this
position now by visiting
internaljobs.farmfoods.co.uk or if you would
like to chat about it first you can call Ashley
Harrison, Area Manager, on 07720 277227.

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the frozen farmfoods food specialists
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Management Development Programme (MDP)
Are you looking to progress your career with Farmfoods? Are you currently a Duty Manager (Supervisor/
Assistant Manager) with at least one year’s experience? Or do you currently hold at least a 2:2 degree in any
discipline? Then the Farmfoods Management Development Programme might be for you.
The aim of the MDP is to develop the best Branch Managers in the UK and to establish a pipeline of leaders
for the future of the business. Find out more at mdp.farmfoods.co.uk
Applications for our 2017/18 programme will open in October 2016.
How your career
could look
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THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
We only promote Branch
Managers and beyond
from within!
Branch Manager
Distribution
3 for £10 GREAT FOOD AT
GREAT FOOD AT
4 for £10 £1 3 for £2
Audit
Central
1
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THE FROZEN FOOD SPECIALISTS
Area Manager
3
Joined Farmfoods as a part
time Retail Assistant while
at school/college
2
Obtained a Duty
Manager position
5
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4
Finished school/college and
joined the Apprenticeship
Programme
Joined the Management
Development Programme
Obtained a Branch
Manager position
Farmfoods Apprenticeship Programme
At Farmfoods we aim to recruit the best. We only want people who are trustworthy, respectful and come to
work with a positive, hard working attitude… people just like you.
We have many fantastic people working for us who we are sure would love the opportunity to use and build
on their skills and knowledge whilst earning themselves a nationally recognised qualification in the process.
That’s why we offer the Farmfoods Apprenticeship Programme which is open to anyone who has at least 3
months service with us.
Search and apply now
internaljobs.farmfoods.co.uk