About us

Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we work with food and farming businesses to make them more profitable, competitive, and sustainable - #workingtogether to shape the future, today.

What we do

All our work helps facilitate farmers and food and drink businesses to work together effectively. Over the years we've expanded and developed subsidiary businesses - getting the right people together and making innovative advancements - to help benefit food, farming and rural Scotland.

Events & Training

Developing staff capability is one of the most effective ways to improve a co-op’s performance. Check out our events and training programme - most of which are open to non co-op members too.

Membership

As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.

What's New

See below for all the latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS. Find all our latest videos on YouTube at: SAOS - working together in food and farming

Sustainability

Our supply chain work focuses on the three elements of sustainability - economic, environmental and social.

These are just a couple of examples of projects we're currently involved with that look at increasing sustainability.

The EU Mixed Farming Project

MIXED is a project funded by the EU Horizon2020 programme to explore the benefits of mixed farming and agroforestry systems (MiFAS) to climate, environment and society in general and support the further development of such systems. MIXED explores different types of MIFAS and their potential for both efficiency and resilience at the same time as well as to provide eco-system services for the benefit of society and the environment.

Networks of organic and conventional farmers are the backbone of the project, sharing knowledge and experience that others can benefit from. Read more at The EU Mixed Farming Project

 

The Scotch Whisky Association Supply Chain Technical Group

As a participant in the Scotch Whisky Association Supply Chain Technical Group, our expertise is focused on supporting the sector in adhering to the seventeen targets of Sustainable Development of the United Nations.

SAOS has a longstanding working relationship with the whisky sector across a range of projects including benchmarking sustainability activities in the farming, grain handling and storage elements of the supply chain.

Key facts and figures for the malting barley and distilling sector, as well as a more detailed and comprehensive map of the sector, are updated regularly as part of our Sector Supply Chain mapping, find out more at: 

Supply Chain Insights - Sector Supply Chain Maps

If you would like to find out more about our approach, or think we can help you tackle any sustainability issues you’re currently facing, then please get in touch.

 

 

Key contacts

Patricia Rojas Bonzi

Patricia Rojas Bonzi

Patricia Rojas Bonzi

Project Manager

07467 082625 | Patricia.Rojas@saos.coop

Allene Bruce

Allene Bruce

Allene Bruce

Head of Supply Chain Development

078055 790749 | allene.bruce@saos.coop

Douglas Bowden-Smith

Douglas Bowden-Smith

Douglas Bowden-Smith

Project Manager

07435 047593 | douglas.bowden-smith@saos.coop