Twelve of East Anglia’s most innovative food and drink brands showcased their wares this week’ at the NEC’s Farm Shop & Deli Show. They were brought together within an eye-catching pavilion created by the Broadland Food Innovation Cluster which helps build a platform to celebrate the exciting produce being created in the region. Two of the producers took home medals from the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards and all the producers went home with invaluable contacts and potential new business orders. Tony Bower of Suffolk drinks brand Niche Cocktails said: “Delighted with such great reaction and love for all our range at the Farm Shop & Deli Show. Huge thanks to FD Food Innovation Cluster – we saw existing clients, got new stockists and engaged with new wholesalers; a perfect mix to boost our sales and reach.” The Food Innovation Cluster aims to celebrate creative food sector businesses and increase the rate of food and drink processed in Norfolk and Suffolk by supporting and nurturing SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) and start-ups. The Broadland Food Innovation Centre project fully funded the exhibition space and hand-picked some of the most exciting and innovative brands from the region. Marietta Hickman of Norfolk’s premium granola brand Cheeky Nibble, explained “The Food Cluster did an exceptional job creating a pavilion that drew attention and helped showcase my brand to its full potential. We left with lots of interesting leads and feeling very inspired by the other businesses at the show.” Announced during the show at Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards were a couple of local winners: Ambry Free Range Turkey Bacon was given a silver medal award and The Little Oinker Original salami went home with a bronze. Elliott Bloomfield of Ambry Fine Foods said: “We won our first award – a Farm Shop & Deli Show 2023 Silver Product Award. This was judged by an expert panel and is an endorsement not just on taste but also branding and packaging. This gives us confidence that we are doing the right things and that our product is well set to sell in the independent sector. We are extremely grateful to BFIC for giving us the opportunity to showcase our product at such a brilliant event.” The £11.4 million Broadland Food Innovation Centre project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, with additional funding and delivery by Broadland District Council, Hethel Innovation and University of East Anglia. For Further information, PR Contacts: Polly Robinson: [email protected] 07966 475195