What was last months foodie crises? Oh yes, the story that marmalade sales are in decline as the nation decides the flavour is too strong. Apparently one survey found that 81% of Marmalade is consumed by people over the age of 45.

While I am sure every true foodie makes their own (don’t look at me I cant even get my quince jelly to set!) there may be times when a decent jar of marmalade is in desperate need of opening. Breakfast toast just isn’t the same with out it. On-line there are several purveyors you might like to explore –

ESS Foods has three varieties made from Seville Oranges – plain old traditional (£3.65 454g), one with ginger from their Suffolk Mud range (£2.95 227g) and with brandy (£3.65 454g).

Sadly Mrs Huddleston still hasn’t implemented on-line ordering for her excellent range – a range seen in many a deli – you have to phone through an order. She offers such interesting variations such as Lemon & Ginger with Green Ginger Wine, Fine Cut Marmalade with Fresh Stem Ginger, Spiced Seville Orange with Scotch Whisky Fine Cut, Orange, Lemon & Lime with Vodka Fine Cut and Pineapple & Lemon with White Rum. Each are £3 for 227g.

Twenty different marmalades are made in Pembrokeshire under the Wendy Brandon range. Some delicious sounding combinations are listed – Orange and Peach Marmalade, Orange Marmalade with Molasses and Rum, Lemon and Grapefruit Marmalade and Grapefruit Marmalade with Elderflower to name just four. Each retails for around £3.75 for 340g. Online ordering is available.

According to a report in the Telegraph, Asda is said to be examining the possibility of bidding for rival supermarket chain J Sainsbury – it all hinges on whether such a bid would break competition rules.

The Wal-Mart owned retailer is reported to be on the verge of contacting the competition authorities to explore the feasibility of a bid for Sainsbury’s which is being circled by a private equity consortium, led by CVC. John Longworth, group company secretary of Asda, said the retailer “never commented on market speculation”.

You will, of course, be familiar with Delicious Magazine, one of the top monthly glossy food magazines available in the UK. Did you realise though that they offer an email newsletter on top of the printed version?

I haven’t actually received an issue yet so cannot report on content – in all likelihood it will be a reminder that the latest issue is available – but as an incentive to sign-up to the email Delicious is offering up a prize.

Register for our monthly newsletter this month and you could win a year’s supply of Yorkshire Tea blended to suit your local water. The winner will also get a Yorkshire Tea hamper containing two mugs, a tea towel, an apron, boxes of regular and decaffeinated Yorkshire Tea, a tea loaf, ginger cake and biscuits.

The Jane Asher website is again hosting the annual Home Baker of The Year Competition.

The Jane Asher Home Baker of the Year Competition was set up in 2004 to encourage people to get back into the kitchen, dig out their old recipes and grow interest in home baking amongst their family and friends. Last year Graham Coe from Chippenham, beat four other finalists from across the UK to be crowned the Home Baking winner at a ‘bake off’ at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

This year the top prize is a two day luxury spa weekend in Scotland for two at the Westin Turnberry Resort plus a batch of Jane Asher’s bakeware.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Ban Battery Farming of Hens and gradually fade out all Battery Farming in the UK. It is inhumane and cruel to the animals. In the 21st Century all farming should become free range. Britain should lead the way.

One of the more worthwhile foodie related petitions on the No 10 website. Have you seen the end result – of battery hens compared to free range? Staggering.