Good news for small producers as Morrisons joins the SALSA Scheme

Good news for small producers as Morrisons joins the SALSA Scheme

Morrisons, the UK’s single largest customer of British farming, has confirmed they will now be using SALSA certification when sourcing and selecting for their expanding local supplier base.  This move represents another ‘top five’ UK food retailer supporting the SALSA scheme, which already has on board Sainsburys, Waitrose, Ocado and the Co-op.

Morrisons operate nearly 500 supermarkets nationwide and is the UK’s largest fresh food maker, giving them a unique platform when it comes to supporting local suppliers and British farming.  Russell Haggata, Morrisons Technical Category Manager comments, ‘Morrisons uses the SALSA criteria as a guide when selecting small, local businesses to work with. When a local supplier is SALSA certified, it gives us the confidence that they will deliver safe, good quality local food for our customers.'

Underpinning their already strong position is Morrison’s new initiative, 'The Nation's Local Foodmakers' programme.  Launched in February, Morrisons aims to recruit over 200 new local and speciality suppliers across England, Scotland and Wales in the first year.  The initiative will see their buyers tour the UK in search of the best local suppliers to work with them today, and hopefully grow with them in the future. 

James Oram, SALSA Scheme Manager adds, ‘We’re delighted to have the support of Morrisons. SALSA offers a valuable and vital due diligence role for both supplier and buyer.  We are keen to work closely with Morrisons and support them in sourcing new SALSA-Approved suppliers.’

Over 850 national buyers are already signed up with SALSA and have immediate access to an online directory of over 1100 SALSA-Approved businesses.  This offers buyers a valuable tool for local sourcing and provides an independent guarantee that these smaller producers have met the industry approved standards of food safety, legality and quality. 

 ‘These new initiatives really are a win-win for the UK’s smaller producers, our retailers and their customers alike’ says Sally Ball, SALSA Client Relations.  ‘Supporting and buying local and British makes very real sense for all our partners.  We are proud to provide a highly valued and respected link in this unique and increasingly important ‘go local’ food chain.’

For more information on Morrisons' Local Foodmakers programme, including dates and venues, visit www.morrisons.com/local