Arran Food is UK Number 1

 The Island Cheese Co is the first company in Britain to achieve SALSA accreditation, and company MD Gordon Kinniburgh received the first certificate to be issued when the scheme was launched at IFE on Monday 19th March. Gordon is pictured here with Food From Britain Chair, Lady Sylvia Jay.

The Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) scheme has been developed jointly by the British Retail Consortium, National Farmers' Union, Food & Drink Federation, and the British Hospitality Association. The scheme is funded by DEFRA and enjoys the support of the Food Standards Agency.

5 Arran companies have been amongst 15 Scottish producers chosen to pilot the scheme, and Arran Dairies, Arran Chocolate Factory, Arran Brewery and Wooleys of Arran have all recently gained accreditation.

BRC Director General Kevin Hawkins said: “SALSA is about making it easier for stores to supply local people with goods produced by local suppliers.

“Local sourcing is booming and retailers are very keen to work with suppliers to bring a greater range of local goods to customers. A number of retailers have already established strong one-to-one relationships between individual stores and local suppliers but it is an area many are looking to develop further. SALSA will make that easier. It will give consumers the widest possible choice when they shop, along with the reassurance that the product they are buying has been handled correctly.