Food and Drink Forum hosts SALSA approval scheme event

Business organisation the Food and Drink Forum played a part in ensuring that the SALSA approval scheme for small food and drink producers continues to run successfully.

The Forum sponsored and hosted an event to give the annual CPD – continuous professional development – session to a group of auditors from across the Midlands.

The IFST auditors are responsible for checking food and drink firms have the required standards in place before they are awarded the SALSA accreditation, which stands for Safe and Local Supplier Approval.

A food-safety standard written by experienced food safety experts to reflect both the legal requirements of producers and the enhanced expectations of 'best practice' of professional food buyers, SALSA certification is only granted to suppliers who are able to demonstrate to an auditor that they are able to produce safe and legal food and are committed to continually meeting the requirements of the SALSA standard.

The group of six auditors, including the Food and Drink Forum’s senior technical manager Richard Wigley, who is a SALSA auditor, were hosted at the Business Centre, Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, where the Forum is based.

“It was the first time we’d sponsored and hosted the CPD training at Southglade, and everyone seemed impressed with the facilities. We will probably hold it at Southglade again next year, as it’s in an ideal location and is the perfect place to focus on all things food and safety related,” said Richard, who is also a mentor for the SALSA scheme.

The CPD session updated auditors and also focused on how to achieve consistency.

The Food and Drink Forum was founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit, membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands. It has members across the region.

Pictured, left to right, Richard Wigley, the Food and Drink Forum’s senior technical manager, and CPD trainer Sarah Jackaman.

 www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk 

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Speakers announced for Food and Drink Forum AGM and networking event

More than 150 guests are expected at the annual general meeting and networking supper of one of the largest food and drink business support organisations in the East Midlands.

The evening, which is the flagship event of the year for the Food and Drink Forum, takes place at Kelham Hall near Newark on Tuesday June 26th.

Key industry figures from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland are due to attend the event, which this year is being sponsored by Pork Farms and the Food and Drink iNet.

Speakers include Ian Noakes, of Dovedale Foods, and Dave Harrison from Everards Brewery.

Ian, who runs a company based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, which manufacturers a range of sauces, including dairy and gluten-free products, under the Sauces of Choice brand will be delivering a presentation entitled ‘Working for yourself? You must be mad’.

Dave, who is operations director at Leicestershire-based independent family brewery Everards, will deliver a presentation focused on ‘Food and drink from a small business perspective’.

“Our AGM and networking supper is the ideal time for those linked to the food and drink sector in the region to come together to network, make contacts and to hear about the latest sector trends,” said Food and Drink Forum managing director Fiona Anderson.

“We are very pleased that once again we will be welcoming so many professionals from across the East Midlands.”

The Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, has members across the region, including manufacturers, food service operators, and consultants and businesses providing services to the food and drink sector.

The Food and Drink Forum was founded in 1998 as a not-for-profit, membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands.

Its aims include championing the food and drink sector in the East Midlands, developing strategic influencing partnerships within and outside the East Midlands, and acting as a centre for information and knowledge on all subjects relating to the food and drink sector in the region.

It also aims to stimulate and facilitate sustainable change within companies of all sizes across the food chain, generate income and secure resources to meet the needs of a high-quality service, and promote the food and drink sector to future employees through education and the raising of skills.

For information about membership or the AGM and networking supper please call 0115 9758810. www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

Issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk