Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas bite into iNet funding
The East Midlands' Food and Drink iNet has backed the development of the UK's first fruit-based salsas. Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas has received funding from the organisation as it prepares for its official launch.
The innovation network has awarded £2,250 of advice, guidance and funding to creator Carron Smith to develop packaging and maximising the shelf life of the products.
Smith, who runs outside catering company Cookies of Oakham, has created four salsas.
The iNet has granted funding to help Smith work with food technical experts at Nottingham Trent University. Cookies of Oakham is match funding the support.
Smith said: "Since the products are made using only fresh and raw ingredients and there's no cooking involved, challenges exist in extending shelf life sufficiently to produce a commercially viable product."
The Nottingham Trent University experts will help her to determine the best ways for her salsas to be packaged to ensure that they have maximum shelf life.
Purple Pepper Fruit Salsas will launch in delis, farm shops and food fairs in August.
