The Taste of Suffolk; tasting greater with SALSA!

The Taste of Suffolk, suppliers of traditional sausages, cured and cooked meats are based near the historic market town of Bury St Edmunds.   The company is owned by the Simons family who have been involved in the food industry for three generations.  Originally, a merger between Broad Oak Farm in Essex and DP Meats in Suffolk, today they produce a range of traditional meats, sausages, bacon and hams from their modern production unit. These include smoked meats using   a natural oak smoking technique which has remained unchanged for many years. 

Roger Simons, father of current Company owner Chris, and really the founding father of The Taste of Suffolk, was keen to develop the small business and took the decision to join SALSA in 2009 as an alternative to BRC.   Roger comments, ‘As a small developing business it was decided that the BRC was too onerous a task to undertake at this stage and on the advice of the East of England Co-operative we joined SALSA.’

They joined in September 2009 and quickly progressed through the approval process to fly the SALSA flag in 2010.  Using the membership resources available to them, the Company enrolled a number of key personnel on the SALSA HACCP L2 course ‘this has enabled the Company to improve its quality management at all levels of operation by giving staff the confidence to understand, question and constantly improve the way they work’ states Roger Simons.

SALSA has subsequently become an integral part of the Company’s success.  The Taste of Suffolk supplies many local independent shops, delicatessens, schools and catering establishments and has traded with the Co-operative and the East of England Co-operative for many years. The assurance provided by their SALSA approval has enabled the business to develop significantly with the East of England Co-operative as an approved local supplier.  The progress has been such that the Company achieved the accolade of Suffolk County Producer of the Year 2015.

SALSA’s wide acceptance within the retail sector has also enabled the Company to successfully launch ‘The Taste of Suffolk’ brand under the local sourcing initiative in Asda and Tesco.

Roger reflects, ‘Gaining SALSA approval has been significant for us.  The SALSA standard has become integral to the Company, and ensures a regime of constant improvement that enhances our reputation.  We are able to work with potential customers who can be certain the food service standards they receive from us are of the highest quality.’

For more information about The Taste of Suffolk, please see the SALSA Directory or visit the website:http://thetasteofsuffolk.co.uk/