SALSA Go!

Scotland Food & Drink, in partnership with SALSA, have launched a unique programme to support Scottish food businesses who want to achieve an important independent food safety, 3rd party certification. 

The ‘SALSA Go!’ programme will offer you practical one to one on-site and remote technical support, working directly with your business to ensure that you will make a successful application for SALSA Certification.   This would offer businesses who are new to SALSA, an enhanced, structured and formalised framework for the effective implementation of the SALSA standard and subsequent SALSA Approval.

Supported businesses will be required to contribute; for Scotland Food & Drink members the contribution from the business is circa 25% of the actual cost of the support that will be provided and for non-members, circa 45%.

WHY?

Scotland Food & Drink’s UK Market Development and Export Strategy aims to enhance Scotland’s reputation for food safety, quality and provenance and expand market opportunities for smaller food and drink businesses in the UK and abroad.

Holding SALSA certification can open-up new opportunities to expand your business in the UK particularly, whereas not having an independent 3rd party certification is a fundamental barrier for businesses who seek to trade in markets where this is a pre-requisite.

BACKGROUND

SALSA is a robust and effective food safety certification scheme which is appropriate for smaller food producers and processors.

Retail and supermarkets, foodservice and Scotland’s public sector view local sourcing as a major objective. However, buyers frequently require assurance that the business operates to a recognised industry standard, this is a fundamental part of their due diligence and typically it requires affiliation to an independent third-party certification scheme such as SALSA.

Suppliers that are SALSA approved can demonstrate that they operate to standards that are recognised and accepted across the industry and exceed the minimum standards expected by enforcement authorities.

SALSA Certification is only granted to businesses operating from commercial premises. It may consider businesses operating from domestic premises if there is verifiable intent set out to move to commercial premises with 6 months.

APPLICATIONS

The opportunity is appropriate for food and drink producers including fish, meat, fruit and vegetables, dairy, baked goods and beverages.

This funded programme is time limited and shall not extend beyond 12 months from the anticipated start date of August 2019. During this time businesses will be supported towards making a confident audit ready application to SALSA. 

The programme will deliver expert support and guidance while a big part of the success will be dependent on the response from the business itself, a successful application leading to accreditation is not automatic.

The closing date for applications is by 9th August 2019.

FUNDING

Scotland Food & Drink will fund SALSA who will work closely with you up to the point you are able to make a confident audit ready application to SALSA.

This programme is funded by the Scottish Government and Scotland Food & Drink; to participate a small contribution is required.

  • For Scotland Food & Drink member organisations the one-off cost is £250.
  • Businesses that are not members of Scotland Food & Drink will be required to make a one-off contribution of £450.

For Scotland Food & Drink members your contribution is circa 25% of the actual cost of the support that will be provided by SALSA.

  • When your businesses is audit ready you will have to meet the cost of SALSA registration and audit. This is typically £615 depending on the scale and complexity of the business.

Once you are successfully certified by SALSA there could be some business costs for you to maintain the Certification.  SALSA will give advice on the likely implications of this for the business, but on-going support and costs are not funded.

THE PROCESS

Applications once submitted will be reviewed and if successfully approved, you will be asked to formally commit to the programme.  You will be invoiced for your contribution. 

The key features you can expect are:

  • Up to 2 days business mentoring to support businesses up to the point of you making a confident audit ready application for SALSA accreditation;
  • A bespoke compliance GAP analysis and a HACCP evaluation;
  • A SALSA Mentor Report with an action plan, agreed with you, to achieve SALSA Certification
  • A timeline and methodology for the plan highlighting what is needed to get the company to the point of making a successful application to SALSA;
  • Remote support via email and telephone;
  • Advice on the future time, resources and cost of maintaining SALSA;
  • A suite of helpful online resources for businesses to use at any time.

Additional benefits including:

  • SALSA Buyers Directory listing as a Pre-approval Member;
  • Preferential rate training courses on vital topics such as HACCP and Food Labelling;
  • SALSA’s “Monthly Motivation” e-shot with hot topics for compliance;
  • Ongoing access to the SALSA telephone helpline.

 APPLICATION PROCESS

It is anticipated that there will be significant demand for participation in this SALSA opportunity. The purpose of the following questionnaire is to help select which businesses are best placed to benefit.

The information disclosed in the form will be used for the selection of businesses. There is no restriction, all micro and SMEs can apply however Scotland Food & Drink members will pay a reduced rate.

To be considered for participation we would ask you to give details that relate to the part of the business you feel need to achieve SALSA accreditation, rather than the whole of the group if the organisation forms part of a group.

**To apply, please complete the questionnaire found here . **