Support for certification clients during coronavirus (COVID-19)
How COVID-19 is transforming retail and what this means for organic
Trade consultant, Finn Cottle takes a look at the opportunities for organic within a changing retail sector.
Social media - our tips for maximising impact in the ‘new normal’
Keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news from Soil Association Certification
📧 Sign up to receive our Trade News email for regular updates with new information and guidance
🌾 Follow our Instagram stories for a snapshot of how Soil Association Certification clients are keeping supply chains moving and farms producing food for the nation
💻 Read our Certification News updates for the most up to date certification information and guidance as it becomes available
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Organic Webinars
Join one of our upcoming webinars. We're running everything from Organic Learning sessions (to replace our popular Organic Learning Days) to Q&As with experts and organic brands and ways to get involved with Organic September.
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List Your Organic Home Delivery
Remote inspection: documents & guidance
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, some inspections are taking place remotely, while we implement a safe approach to the delivery of physical inspections in line with Government and HSE guidance.
What to expect from a remote inspection
With remote inspections now taking place, we caught up with one of our clients, Emmett UK, to hear why a remote inspection has been critical for the smooth running of their business, and how the experience was for them.
Coping in a crisis: Pip Organic on what they’ve learnt so far
With organic businesses currently having to find new routes to market, Pip Organic tells us how they're adapting to the COVID-19 situation.
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Supply chains and routes to market
COVID-19 has resulted in disruptions and changes to supply chains. Whilst food service markets have paused, home delivery markets have seen a surge in demand with more people shopping online.
Support for selling direct or through new routes to market
🥕 List your box scheme: Are you one of our farmers & growers licensed to operate an organic box scheme? Complete our online form to be featured on our listings. There has been a 1,400% increase in visits to the box scheme pages since the crisis began, so make sure your products are getting a share of this attention
📦 List your organic home delivery: Reach new customers and tell them about your organic home delivery service. Complete the form below to submit your home delivery service to be listed on our website.
🛒 List your independent shop: If you sell organic products through independent retail or a farm shop, be sure to list it for free on our indie retail finder
🔍 Search for organic box scheme or indie retailer in your area if you have any surplus products and are looking for businesses to collaborate with
Support for farmers and growers
Resources to support farmers and growers
Visit our COVID-19 hub for farmers and growers
Post jobs and other ads on our organic marketplace
Labour issues
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COVID-19 impact survey
As an organic certification body, we're keen to get your feedback to form a status update on the impact of COVID-19 for organic businesses. This will help us tailor and adapt our ongoing support during this challenging time.
⌛ The survey should take less than five minutes to complete.
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Guidance for forestry clients
The global COVID-19 pandemic has already affected the lives of everyone, in some way, and its impact will continue for some time. Soil Association Certification is working with FSC® and PEFC to implement measures to help our certificate holders maintain their certification in these extraordinary times.
Certification news
Government support:
We've collated a selection of links to useful resources for your business
Government support
- Government COVID-19 Hub
- Guidance for food businesses on coronavirus
- Guidance to employers and businesses about COVID-19
- Financial support for businesses during COVID-19
- Government schemes to support business during COVID-19
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors
- Cash Grants for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
- Small Business Grant Funding
- Bounce back loans for small businesses
- Extended deadline to apply for farm payments
Bank of England support
Useful links:
General food & farming distribution
- Freight Transport Association (FTA) – Coronavirus support hub
- Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) – Updates on how Coronavirus impacts wholesaling
- British Retail Consortium (BRC) Coronavirus support hub
- Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) – Advice for farmers and growers
- National Farmers’ Union (NFU) – Updates and advice for members and for the public
- Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
- Business Rates Holiday for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sectors
- Cash Grants for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
- Small Business Grant Funding
Further support & toolkits
- Toolkit to help businesses across the UK meet the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19
- Bread & Jam Festival COVID-19 Survival Series
Get in touch
If you can’t find what you’re looking for on these pages, please get in touch with your Certification Officer or email: marketingsupport@soilassociation.org
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