Launched on 17 November, Soil Association Certification has partnered with Bread & Jam and Young Foodies to bring the industry an exclusive business support package dedicated to organic food and drink start-ups.

The support package – designed to ‘support entrepreneurs navigating organic certification and the challenges of starting a food and drink business’ – includes guidance on certification and participants of the scheme will also have access to ‘meet the buyer events, as well as bespoke business support and marketing webinars. Further, they will be offered discounts on memberships, events and trainings.

Brands signing up for the scheme can, in addition, enter the BOOM awards in the Best of Organic Food & Drink Start-Ups category, with entries opening on 1 December.

Jason Gibb, co-founder of Bread & Jam, comments: “We are really excited to be partnering with Soil Association Certification’s new start-up package to continue Bread & Jam’s work: to support young, challenger businesses thrive in the food industry. The start-up package will give certified organic businesses discounted access to all Bread & Jam events and aligns with our aim to make the food industry more sustainable.”

Chris Green, co-founder of Young Foodies, says the collaboration is ‘yet another example of a partnership that will help to level the playing field for food entrepreneurs as they continue to innovate and unlock value for the consumer’. “It is our absolute pleasure to partner with Soil Association Certification to offer this tailored start-up package.”