Food inflation has dominated the headlines in recent months and whether you’re running a pub, providing school meals or operating a restaurant increased food prices have now become a significant business challenge.

Don’t fool yourself that it’s a temporary fad bought on by a perfect storm of factors including the high Euro, poor harvests, bio-crop cultivation and political instability.

As Diana Spellman, managing director, of Partners in Purchasing, which manages £55m of buying power for a range of companies and institutions including independent contract caterers, government departments and blue chip financial firms, points out:

“The EU has been working its way out of the £20b subsidy a year it pays to farmers since 1998. The deadline for removal of subsidiary is 2012 and it means we consumers will have to pay the true price of our food.”

“We have the lowest spend of our disposable income on food in the UK at 9% compared with the rest of Europe at 14%. I see little prospect of food prices coming back to the base of 2007.”

But help is at hand and Caterer has rounded-up the latest food inflation news affecting hospitality operators, with articles exploring how you can mitigate the worst of food inflation as prices continue their relentless march upwards.

Food inflation news

Food inflation 'here to stay' say caterers

McDonald's to scrap 'one price fits all' strategy

Whitbread looks to combat rising food prices

Food prices soar as food inflation increases

Food inflation hits school meals contract caterers

Rising food costs herald the end of mid-market restaurant boom

Rising food costs force Compass to revise menus

Food price inflation forcing restaurants to hike prices

Related food and drink stories

Beef prices threaten British meat industry

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Pubs take a hit on profits to keep prices down and customers coming

Food inflation features

Watch our video masterclasses on how to make the most of your meat

Tips for surviving food inflation

Food inflation comment

No margins for errors

Food inflation elsewhere on the web

UN warns on food price inflation, BBC

Record rise in food inflation fuels prices, Guardian

EU Food inflation at record highs

Growing fears over food inflation, Telegraph

Food inflation reports

OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2008-2017 >>