Small Business Schemes
Chris Grimes, SALSA Scheme Director
Landscape
“The gap between legal requirements and industry best practice* is getting wider – but the average size of UK food producers is getting smaller”
*as defined by BRC Global Standard
Evolution of FS standards and schemes
Pre 1995 – large food buyers had own audit standards 1995 Emergence of 3P standards (EFSIS, TLC etc) 1999 First issue of BRC Technical Standard 2002 CB’s abandoned branded standards with BRC Issue 3 2005 EFSIS and CMi introduced their own SME standards 2005/6 BRC, IFST and other food industry stakeholders
began discussing the need for an SME Audit Standard. 2007 SALSA launched as BRC alternative for smaller
producers
SALSA Origins
Start-up funding from government agencies DEFRA, FSA, Scottish Enterprise
‘Joint Venture’ between four industry partners NFU, FDF, BRC and BHA IFST appointed as scheme operator
Self-funding, not-for-profit organisation Aim was to be a reliable, affordable and effective
food safety certification scheme for ‘small’ and ‘micro’ producers with wide recognition by UK food purchasing ‘community’
Wide Recognition
Other standards and schemes
Some Buyers still conduct first party audits Eg Tesco, M&S
Commercial third party standards EFSIS Safe & Legal CMi Due Diligence
Membership schemes such as HEFF Hygiene and Food safety Standard
Online/desktop certification products SOFHTe
SALSA growth 2007-2011
Membership Growth 2007-2011
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Key Numbers – September 2011
Registered Suppliers 2,246
Registered Buyers 838
Current Members 766
Current Approved 401
Micro Businesses >70%
Why is SALSA in demand?
More Buyers sourcing local food Buyers need certification for due-diligence New food businesses are micro and small Fewer medium and large suppliers in UK Micro businesses need help to achieve standards Traditional audit approach ‘verifies compliance’ Certification must be affordable to micro businesses UK food & drink purchasing community want SALSA
SALSA addresses the market
A ‘scheme’ (not just an audit standard) Provides support resources for members Advice and mentoring integral to the audit process Affordable to small and micro businesses Credibility without UKAS accreditation Support from UK food & drink purchasing community Easy to fund (where funding available)
Funding for SALSA mentoring
Scheme Structure Standard
Pitched between legal requirements and BRC Suitable for micro (<10) and small (<50) producers Best practice expectations of industry stakeholders
Guidance Compliance to standard Tools & Tips for individual requirements Self-assessment toolkit Mentor network (67 across UK)
Information Directory provides local sourcing tool for buyers Guidance, support and funding for suppliers News, local events, bulletins and updates
Scheme Resources
Centrally Co-ordination and allocation of resources Membership payments and administration Member helpline Website maintenance
Locally 67 Mentors, of which 54 Auditors All approved through IFST-RPFAM Sector specific approval for mentoring and auditing Compulsory training and CPD workshops Participation in resource developments
Analysis of scheme’s impact
Mentoring Suppliers perform better on audits if mentored Suppliers report positive experiences Mentors are independent, local and sympathetic
Auditing Approach preparing the supplier action plan works well Auditors look for compliance and improvement Most suppliers demonstrate improvements
Due-diligence Increased recognition among enforcement officers Included in FSA earned recognition study
Recent Developments
Detailed ‘Tools & Tips’ for members Developed by Mentors
HACCP Training Qualifications Developed by Mentors Levels 1 and 2 Regulated through Ofqual IFST Accredited
What next for SALSA?
Improved guidance and online resources Improve access to mentors Improved directory tools for buyers Provide additional relevant services Platform for continuous improvement Foundation for growth and progress to BRC
www.salsafood.co.uk