Farmers and growers looking to join the trend for local sourcing are being urged to contact Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA), which now boasts more than 500 major buyers on its lists.

The SALSA scheme has gone from strength to strength since it was launched in 2007 by the food industry’s largest trade associations including the National Farmers’ Union, the British Hospitality Association, the British Retail Consortium and the Food and Drink Federation.

With more than 1,500 companies now registered with SALSA, the NFU is calling for farmers and growers that want to capture the current trend for local sourcing in their area to get on board.

The scheme was developed in response to increasing demand from major retailers and hospitality providers for safe, locally produced food, where standards are high and verified by the scheme.

Lee Woodger, head of the NFU’s food chain unit, said: “SALSA offers our members a great business opportunity. The scheme is a direct route to retailers, hospitality and catering suppliers looking to source local food.

“With the current trend seeing a national increase in the demand for local sourcing, I would encourage our members to take advantage of SALSA and market their fresh, quality produce to its maximum potential.”