Local Flavours 2026 featured around 120 of the region's food and drink producers - attracting buyers from across the UK's tourism, hospitality, catering and food retail sectors.

Organisers said rising energy and food prices, amid growing global uncertainty, has made "sourcing local" increasingly important for food security and the regional economy.

The Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

Local Flavours director Valerie Watson Brown said: "This is our fifteenth year of doing this, and it has stayed as strong as ever.

"Even with the energy price increases, the cost of living going up and the global uncertainty, there were still a lot of buyers in the room, and they were really interested in supporting local producers who are really challenged in this environment. It was really positive, and they were all saying: 'See you next year'.

"It has been a really good day. We have had more people in the door than for a few years, which is great, and some really great names, including Fortnum and Mason, Morrison and Tesco - but also lots of support from across the Eastern region."

Vics Read of Norfolk and Better, with their stoneground flour at the Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

Exhibitors, including several new start-ups as well as established food suppliers, discussed how they were managing cost hikes and supply disruption, as well as taking part in sampling, cookery demonstrations, networking and discussions on industry support.

Conversation topics on the day included Norfolk County Council’s £250,000 Hospitality Matters campaign, offering training courses and business improvement grants for the sector, while the VENI (Visitor Economy Network Initiative) partnership discussed the latest skills and training support for hospitality and tourism companies across Norfolk and Suffolk.

There was also a networking meeting hosted by Norfolk FWAG (Farm & Wildlife Advisory Group) on a project to promote sustainable venison while controlling deer numbers in the countryside.

Nev Leverett, from Home Farm Distillery in Hethersett, at the Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

Arthur Betts, of Ferndale Cheese in Little Barningham, at the Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

Joseff Vobe, of Gnaw Chocolate in Norwich, at the Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

Justin Childs, left, Claire Lorimer and Stuart Fisher, with doughnuts at the Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

The Local Flavours food and drink trade show at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

© Norwich Evening News