The East of England Co-op is proud to support producers through its Sourced Locally scheme. And you can get a discount on your shopping in-store with our Suffolk Day offer.
Whilst Suffolk Day is a little different this year, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate our fantastic county, including a delicious Sourced Locally feast.
Whether enjoying a BBQ in the back garden, or a picnic in the park - alone, with your household or others - pop to the Co-op and you’ll find everything you need to raise a toast to Suffolk – cheers!
The East of England Co-op has a long history in Suffolk, having served our local communities for over 150 years. In 2007, they introduced Sourced Locally, reconnecting customers with food provenance, and the delicious food and drink produced right here on our doorstep.
Today, the local retailer works with 58 suppliers in Suffolk alone, providing over 680 products; from sausages, jams, fruit juices and cheese, to eggs, bread, fish and chocolate.
With June 21 marking the longest day of the year, Father’s Day and Suffolk Day this year, there is plenty to raise a hot-dog to this coming Sunday. So pop to the Co-op, fire up the barbecue and enjoy a true taste of Suffolk. Buy your copy of the EADT or Ipswich Star this Friday (June 19) for a money saving voucher to spend in East of England Co-op stores.
Taste of Suffolk
Based in Bury St Edmunds, the aptly named Taste of Suffolk have been producing quality meat products for three generations.
Chris Simons and his father Roger, use their combined years of experience to create new and innovative ideas, whilst maintaining family values of quality and service.
As well as top quality pork sausages and beef burgers, you’ll also find a range of Taste of Suffolk sausages made exclusively for the East of England Co-op; including pork and honey, and pork and Bramley apple.
Fans of the pork and Bramley apple sausage can now also enjoy them in burger form, whilst those who like a bit of heat should try the Taste of Suffolk chilli beef burger.
A match made in heaven
If you’re looking for a refreshing tipple, try Adnams’ 0.5% wines, available in white, red and rosé.
Refreshingly lower in alcohol, Adnams’ 0.5% Sauvignon Blanc has a taste of zesty key lime and is the perfect accompaniment to grilled fish and chicken salads. Whilst Adnams 0.5% Cabernet Temperanillo is perfect paired with tapas and antipasti meats, with its juicy, black fruit aromas.
As Spanish tapas and Italian antipasti have grown in popularity, so have the number of local producers creating Mediterranean-inspired dishes right here in Suffolk. Perfect for a picnic, or whiling away a sunny afternoon, the great thing is you can mix and match your favourite food items. Here are some of our favourites…
Olives
A small family-run business, the Greek Olive Company in Martlesham, combines their ‘from scratch’ marinades with olives from Greece. Enjoy the olive taste sensation in their pure and simple form, or stuffed with tempting fillings, such as garlic, sundried tomato, red pepper and almonds.
Charcuterie
Lane Farm, based in Brundish, not only produce sausages, bacon and ham, but they’re also behind the award-winning Suffolk Salami Company. Produced using Freedom Food-approved pork reared on the family farm, the salami is cured and air dried using traditional methods similar to that of Italy and Spain.
It may take up to four months for some of the salami to mature, but it is well worth the wait. A must for any antipasti platter.
Hummus
Following a six-month trip around Italy, chef Gavin fell in love with their delis and fresh food and so decided to bring the flavours he had experienced home, creating Purely Pesto.
Starting out with fresh pesto, the range has now grown to include hummus and dips, perfect for sharing at a picnic – or enjoying alone.
A sweet treat
No barbecue or picnic would be complete without something sweet, and nothing says summer quite like fresh, juicy strawberries.
Grown and hand-picked just outside Hadleigh, Lodge Farm strawberries have been a firm favourite with East of England Co-op customers for many years. In fact, over the last four weeks Lodge Farm strawberries have been the top-selling product from the retailer’s Suffolk producers.
Why not pair them with multi award-winning fruit cream ices, from Alder Tree? Based at Alder Carr Farm in Needham Market, each tub is packed with local fruit and come in a range of traditional and contemporary flavours. From gooseberry and elderflower and stem ginger and rhubarb, to strawberry, raspberry and blackcurrant, there is a flavour to suit everyone.
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