The Eastern counties of Norfolk and Suffolk produce 11% of the UK’s agricultural output including 17% of its fruit and vegetables. Yet the majority of food produced here is taken outside East Anglia to be processed.
On the flip-side there is a growing demand for plant-based protein and nationally we are producing more food made from pulses and peas, which although they grow in the UK, are, in the main, imported from China and Canada.
As a nation and regionally, we need to reassess the supply chain to keep processing in the region and to connect what farmers are growing to their end markets. Part of this involves bringing more businesses here and helping companies in the region to innovate, grow and make an impact.
East Anglia has some of the best brains in the country researching plant science, food nutrition, gut health, healthy ageing and climate change at world-leading research organisations at Norwich Research Park such as the John Innes Centre, the Quadram Institute, and the Sainsbury Laboratory, plus academic institutions like the University of East Anglia.
These research organisations work closely with the food industry to develop innovative products and processes including Fischer Farms which has created the world’s largest vertical farm with 25,000 square metres of stacked growing space and will be able to grow as much produce as 1,000 acres of conventional farmland.
The Government has recognised the region’s potential and given Norfolk and Suffolk the status of a ‘High Potential Opportunity’ in plant science for nutrition. This status aims to get the region onto the national and international stage and promote it to a global network with the aim of attracting investment.
There are also innovative spin-out companies in alternative proteins and a growing number of food businesses harnessing the regions crops and expertise to create new protein sources and plant-based foods which are good for the planet and for our health. For example, Novo Farina takes the humble yellow pea grown locally to create a gluten free, protein rich and high fibre flour, texturised plant protein, crumbs and gluten-free snacks as alternatives to meat and wheat-based ingredients for the food industry and retailers. While another Norfolk business, One Planet Pizza makes plant-based frozen pizzas which are now available in Asda.
Anyone involved in the food industry is also part of the health industry and has a responsibility to consider the products we are feeding people in order to reduce obesity, cholesterol, and diabetes. Highly processed food has zero nutritional value and in Norfolk and Suffolk we have an opportunity to create a supply chain to produce healthy nutritional food, something that has been close to my heart for years. The High Potential Opportunity is important because it’s not just about producing food, it’s about producing healthy nutritious food.
The challenge for farmers, agri-tech, food and drink producers large and small as well as retailers is to help their customers to eat more healthily. By working together, collaborating with the science and research expertise we have in the region, we can start to make a difference.
There are many initiatives to drive innovation in food production in the region and to support the growth of many SME food and drink producers. The Food Enterprise Park is a 100-acred development site just outside Norwich. It is home to the Broadland Food Innovation Centre, a dynamic new space which opened in September 2022 and consists of 13 food-grade units, sensory and test kitchens and meeting spaces
It aims to make a bold difference to the region by helping innovative projects become robust and enjoy sustainable success.
The Centre is backed by fully-funded innovation support for food and drink businesses as well as a ‘Cluster’ of business leaders who meet for networking and to support each other. This Cluster (led by The University of East Anglia) includes the
Plant-Based Protein Innovation Platform which is focused on how to expand the production of plant-based protein within the East of England’s supply chain, making it this place to start, situate, and scale a plant-based food and drink business
Open to all organisations involved in the supply chain, the Platform aims to ensure collaboration and commitment across the sector and to explore the trends, innovation and opportunities, funding and investment, market viability and nutrition.
The compelling combination of Centre, Support and Cluster offered by the Broadland Food Innovation Centre project, has been welcomed by the region’s food and drink businesses in the previous two years.
When the ERDF-funded phase concludes end June 2023, Broadland District Council and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership will ensure continuity of the expert Innovation Support services, which will be delivered by Hethel Innovation until 2026, as well as managing the bespoke food-grade facilities at the Centre in the long-term. Broadland District Council, jointly with New Anglia LEP, will fund Innovation Support. The intention is to build on the valuable work achieved to date, accelerating business growth and adding value to the local economy through food processing and drink production.
Clarke Willis MBE, Director of the Food Enterprise Park
Clarke Willis, MBE FRAgS is a Director of the Norfolk Food Enterprise Park which is developing major processing and support facilities for the AgriFood supply chain in the Eastern region. He was awarded an MBE in 2016 for Services to Agriculture.
