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
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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
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Start-up funding from government agencies
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‘Joint Venture’ between four industry partners
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DEFRA, FSA, Scottish Enterprise
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
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Some Buyers still conduct first party audits
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Commercial third party standards
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EFSIS Safe & Legal
CMi Due Diligence
Membership schemes such as
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Eg Tesco, M&S
HEFF Hygiene and Food safety Standard
Online/desktop certification products
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SOFHTe
SALSA growth 2007-2011
Mem bership Grow th 2007-2011
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
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?
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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
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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
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Standard
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Guidance
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Pitched between legal requirements and BRC
Suitable for micro (<10) and small (<50) producers
Best practice expectations of industry stakeholders
Compliance to standard
Tools & Tips for individual requirements
Self-assessment toolkit
Mentor network (67 across UK)
Information
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Directory provides local sourcing tool for buyers
Guidance, support and funding for suppliers
News, local events, bulletins and updates
Scheme Resources
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Centrally
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Co-ordination and allocation of resources
Membership payments and administration
Member helpline
Website maintenance
Locally
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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
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Mentoring
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Auditing
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Suppliers perform better on audits if mentored
Suppliers report positive experiences
Mentors are independent, local and sympathetic
Approach preparing the supplier action plan works well
Auditors look for compliance and improvement
Most suppliers demonstrate improvements
Due-diligence
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Increased recognition among enforcement officers
Included in FSA earned recognition study
Recent Developments
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Detailed ‘Tools & Tips’ for members
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Developed by Mentors
HACCP Training Qualifications
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Developed by Mentors
Levels 1 and 2
Regulated through Ofqual
IFST Accredited
What next for SALSA?
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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