November Customer Newsletter – Food

In conjunction with NHS England, we would now like to advise trusts to avoid the use of frozen sandwiches, due to the effect it has on their shelf life once defrosted.  

To allow the recent patient sandwich guidance to settle in, and to encourage complete safety standards on temperature control across healthcare sites, it is advised not to agree to a frozen sandwich concept from suppliers.  

There may come a time when this advice changes, but we advise that going forward there should be a focus on current supply, and improving the quality of services. 

Please reach out to your relevant Food Account Manager if you have any questions.

See our Useful Links section to read the latest advice from British Sandwich Association.

Our new Ambient framework has just launched on 27 October.  

The framework is bringing you and your trust those well-known home comforts, helping aid your patients recovery from operations, and to support and bring greater nutritional benefits to people suffering from certain illnesses and conditions.  

Our Category Buyer Max Mercer is thrilled to be re-launching this framework.

See our Useful Links section to read all about our Ambient framework and its new and unique benefits, and to see our quick and easy guide on our Ambient framework page.

Looking forwards to 2026, please register your interest in our upcoming culinary events.   

These events are free to attend – the Chefs Academy is aimed at chefs within NHS hospitals, and the Culinary Academy is aimed at catering assistants.

Attendance also counts towards any chef currently undertaking an NHS Chef Apprenticeship.  

You can also simply email your name, trust name, contact number and email to register your interest.

Please, remember to order ahead your festive items for December for your staff, visitors and patients. 

Our Category Buyers are on hand to help, please contact us should you want some advice about alternatives you can consider this year.

See our Useful Links section to take a look at our frameworks, and to see just what’s on offer. 

We are pleased to be showing our support for the Movember awareness event, running from 1 November.

Movember is a global movement that raises awareness and funds for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.  It takes place during November, traditionally by men growing a moustache (a portmanteau of “mo” and “November”) to start conversations and raise funds. 

People can get involved by growing a mo, running or walking 60km for the 60 men lost to suicide each hour, or by hosting a “Mo-ment” or other challenge. 

Recipe ingredients	Quantity
Carrots	250g
Granulated sugar	170g
Rapeseed oil	125ml
Natural yoghurt	120g
Vanilla essence	2ml
Raisins	100g
Self raising flour	200g
Baking powder	2g
Ground cinnamon	1.5g
Ground nutmeg	0.5g
Ground ginger	1g
Salt	pinch
Margarine	75g
Icing sugar	180g
Eggs	2

Method:

• Grease a cake tin and line the bottom with baking parchment. Pre heat the oven to 180C. 
• Wash and put the peelings in a blender and pulse until smooth then set aside. 
• In a large bowl beat the eggs, sugar and oil, then fold in the yoghurt and vanilla, and mix until well combined. 
• Fold in the carrot and raisins followed by sifted flour baking powder and spices then gently fold together. 
• Pour the mix into the cake tin and bake for 40 minutes, at 180C, or until a skewer comes out clean from the cake. 
• Cool for 20 minutes. Once cooled remove from the tin and place on a wire rack. 
• To make the cinnamon frosting, beat the butter and icing sugar together with the vanilla essence until light and fluffy, and add the ground cinnamon. 
• Spread the frosting over the cake once it has completely cooled. 
• Alternatively, these can be made into muffins by pouring the mix into muffin cases and baking. 
• Savers ten or makes ten muffins.

Chef’s tip:

This cake makes the most of carrot peels, reducing food waste while adding fibre and antioxidants.

Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which supports eye health and immunity. Cinnamon in the frosting not only adds warmth and flavour but also contains compounds that may help regulate blood sugar.

Together, this cake offers a balance of slow-release carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, and a touch of healthy fats from the frosting.

Overall, this cake offers:

• Beta-carotene for vision and immunity.
• Antioxidants for cellular protection.
• Slow-release carbohydrates for sustained energy.
• Spices with potential metabolic benefits.

It`s a delicious, nutrient-dense snack that combines sustainability with health benefits.