Since December 2021, the Broadland Food Innovation Centre has been delivering support to Norfolk and Suffolk’s Food & Drink community. To celebrate the success that this funded project has achieved and the work it will continue to do, the project is hosting a summer fete at the Broadland Food Innovation Centre. This is be a summer solstice celebration with a festive twist. Christmas in July is a key moment in the Food & Drink industry calendar as it’s the time of year when all the major retailers present their Christmas ranges and the food and drink press start to plan their Christmas pages. Looking ahead some 4-5 months before the Christmas frenzy means even the smallest producer can be prepared to showcase food and drink products the best way they can. The Summer Snowcase will provide local businesses the opportunity to understand, gain expert advice and help strategise their festive campaign. A comprehensive workshop will share the latest festive trends looking at Christmases past, as well as trends for the future; learn how to plan a product launch and subsequently a marketing campaign; as well as crucial production and distribution planning advice. Then businesses will have the chance to get their festive campaign critiqued by a regional buyer. Following the workshop there will be a presentation to celebrate the achievements of the Broadland Food Innovation Centre. A panel of project beneficiaries including Weddell & Turner, Jimmy’s Limoncello and Wildcraft Brewery will share their stories about how the project helped each of their unique businesses. The teams behind the project will share what has been accomplished through the program and what support will continue to help businesses going forward. Finally, the Summer Snowcase evening will culminate in a reception party with live music and lots of local food and drink to sample. The summer fete is open to all and will bring together the food and drink community to celebrate the past 18 months and offer the chance to network with one another as well as with local authorities, key influencers and project stakeholders. It maybe the summer solstice but expect Christmas jumpers, Snowmen and the odd Santa Claus… Image provided by Food Innovation Centre