The makers of Suffolk Salami said they were “gobsmacked” and “lost for words” after scooping the East of England Co-op’s Producer of the Year tonight.
Pig farmers and salami, bacon and pork products makers Ian and Sue Whitehead and daughter, Rebecca, of Lane Farm Country Foods at Brundish, near Framlingham, received the award at the end of a celebration evening at the retail chain’s headquarters at Wherstead Park, Ipswich, attended by its local suppliers.
Guests heard that the chain’s Sourced Locally initiative, started back in 2007, has been a remarkable success which has greatly surpassed the East of England Co-op’s own expectations.
The turnover for its Sourced Locally products in the year to January 2014 exceeded its target by £1million by reaching £12m - a 30% increase on the previous year.
Ian Whitehead said: “We are just gobsmacked really, lost for words. I have to say when we walked into the room tonight it was like walking into a room of friends.”
He added: “Our business would not be here today if it was not for the East of England Co-op and we thank them.”
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