The Local Flavours trade event at the Norfolk Showground, Costessey is aimed at supporting local producers and has, over the years, sold hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and drink by attracting buyers from across the UK and Europe to the region, all keen to source local products for their menus or shelves.
The annual trade event has grown from the inaugural one held in a farmyard with a handful of producers to become an exhibition of over one hundred producers, sitting alongside business support and other activity to help organisations from the visitor economy sector.
The event is a firm favourite with buyers representing tourism, hospitality, catering and food retail. The event attracts buyers from some of the largest multi-national businesses such as Makro, Tesco, Compass Group, Selfridges, Center Parcs and Serco, and proves to be just as valuable for independent cafes, restaurants, delis and farm shops from across the region.
Aside from over 100 local food and drink producers from the eastern region in the main hall, there will be plenty of support in the room for the following new initiatives.
- Norfolk FWAG (Farm & Wildlife Advisory Group) – delivering a game project with the Broads Authority. Find out about how farmers in the Broads area are working to control the deer population responsibly and efforts to promote sustainable venison along the food chain to end consumer.
- The Norfolk Food Hall is ahead of schedule. Meet the team and tour the new premises, opening May 2025 and with over 80% of products sourced in Norfolk.
- VENI ‘People and Place’ find out how hospitality and tourism is getting a boost using globally recognised WorldHost training to support organisations with staff recruitment and retention. And how towns are getting support from local residents through the VENI ambassador programme.
- West Norfolk College students will be attending the show for the first time, with year 3 students showcasing their skills, on the Local Flavours Cookery Theatre, ready to transfer to the workplace.
‘We launched Local Flavours following our personal experience of trying to get products into the national retail market. A daunting experience for the most experienced salesperson our thoughts were to attract buyers to a rural and local setting and to meet potential suppliers of local products in a more relaxed environment. It has proven a successful formula with many coming back year after year. The show never fails to attract the best in the region and with the quality on show it brings in buyers from across the UK.’ said Valerie Watson Brown, Director Local Flavours.
Local Flavours is now more than just an annual trade event. It now supports producers, through public sector and other support, on overseas trade missions, consumer facing activity and meet the buyer sessions throughout the year and has built a reputation of helping producers to prosper and grow.
This year’s Local Flavours trade event takes place on Wednesday 26th March. Producers looking to get their products in front of trade buyers can enquire about stand availability by telephoning 01603 702374 or email robert@localflavours.co.uk.
A ticket only event, we urge any business looking for new flavours and ideas in 2025 to register for free tickets via the link at www.localflavours.co.uk or telephone 01603 702374.
