About Eat and Drink Norfolk

Norfolk’s varied landscape and long coastline is reflected in a diverse tradition of food production, that survives amongst the wide expanses of cereals, rape and beet.

The more fertile land is ideal for horticulture, while the abundant grain from arable farming provides feed for poultry and pigs. The poor, sandy soils of Breckland - "like a flat hill farm" - are ideal for sheep, the meadows of the broads and valleys best suited for grazing cattle. The Waveney valley, on the border with Suffolk, has a long history of dairying.

Along the coast, each fishing port has its own speciality, from bloaters and other cured herrings at Yarmouth to Brancaster mussels and cockles from the Wash.

The wealth of excellent food and drink ranges from distinctive specialities, such as asparagus, Cromer crab, cider and Norfolk Black Turkey, to everyday bread, beef and beer. These foods, and more, are widely available direct from producers, at farmers’ markets and through shops and restaurants.

Eat and Drink Norfolk is a partnership of organisations, working together to provide co-ordinated support and promotion for the local food sector in Norfolk. The partnership has been funded by the East of England Development Agency, through Shaping the Future, the economic development partnership for Norfolk. To find out more about the partners, click on their logos below.

Eat and Drink Norfolk’s work includes promotion of local food in Norfolk, support for local food businesses and pilot projects to develop local supply chains to increase the amount of local food and drink available through retail and catering outlets.

Partner Organisations

Produced in Norfolk is a producers’ co-operative, promoting food and craft products genuinely made in the county. Support is provided to members in reaching customers, networking and developing supply chains. A directory of members is available on the website.

Tastes of Anglia is the East of England’s regional food group, promoting the food and drink of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Marketing support is provided to members and Tastes of Anglia Table distributes produce across the region. A directory of members is available on the website.

Easton College offers agricultural and other vocational courses, from equestrian studies to sport and recreation. The college also has extensive conference facilities, catering for a wide range of events. Eat and Drink Norfolk is working closely with the catering department to increase their use of local food.

Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service provides practical business support and information to farmers and other rural businesses. Their website provides information on grants, events and other sources of advice and support.

East Anglia Food Link works to promote and support a more sustainable and local food system, building links across the food supply chain and addressing issues of sustainability from health and community well-being to the environment and animal welfare.

Norfolk County Council’s Economic Development Unit works to make a real impact on the Norfolk economy to encourage its businesses and help the people who live and work here to maximise their potential. The unit plays a leading role in Shaping the Future, a private and public sector partnership to develop the economy of Norfolk.