Suffolk Food Summit to celebrate local produce

29/09/26
The Suffolk Food Summit is returning to the Food Museum in Stowmarket this November to celebrate local food and drink production and its impact on the region’s economy.


The event has been organised by Mid Suffolk District Council and will bring together a range of people from across the food and drink sector for workshops and panel discussions as well as a keynote speech from William Kendall, who led the development for both The New Covent Garden Soup Company and Green & Black’s and is a co-founder of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival.

The summit follows on from the council’s recently published Food and Drink Action Plan which sets out an ambition to strengthen local production, build a resilient local food and drink network, improve food education and support the industry as a key growth sector.

The event is open for anyone interested in local food and drink sector but in particular, farmers and food producers, retail and catering businesses, campaigners, educators and community organisations. 

Councillor Teresa Davis, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities for Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “The Suffolk Food Summit is a great opportunity for those of us from different aspects of the food system to come together.

Workshops, speakers and stalls are planned for the day focusing on a range of topics, such as the future of farming, community food initiatives and health and wellbeing.

I would encourage anyone, including the public with an interest in a sustainable food system, to find out more about this event, book your space and help shape the sector for the future.” 

The summit will take place at the Food Museum in Stowmarket on Monday 16 November from 8:30am with the day being split into two halves allowing participants to pick and choose which workshops and talks to attend. 

Councillor Andy Mellen, Leader of Mid Suffolk District Council, said: “Earlier on this year, we published our Food and Drink Action Plan and within it, set out how we aim to tackle issues surrounding food security and sustainability as well as how we can help to build a more resilient food system locally.

We take our role in this very seriously and this summit is one of the most crucial steps to allow us to truly understand the picture locally by hearing from those within the sector to help inform our support and actions moving forward.”

The event is free to attend, simply register for your spot via Suffolk Food Summit 2026 booking page on Eventbrite. 

Panel discussion at the Suffolk Food Summit held in 2024. Credit: Community Action Suffolk