Producers crowned County Winners

We're delighted to announce that Fairfields Farm, Havensfield Eggs and Wendy's House Cakes have been crowned our County Winners in this year's Producer of the Year Awards.

Over 15,000 voted were cast online and in-store by members and customers of the largest retailer in our region. Now in their fourth year, the Producer of the Year Awards celebrate the best of local food and drink across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

Fairfields Farm, Havensfield Eggs and Wendy's House Cakes met with a panel of expert judges, including Emma Crowhurst, Polly Robionson and Terry Hunt, who had the unenviable task of choosing the 2016 Producer of the Year, to be announced at the East of England Co-op's annual supplier supper in March.

Kevin Warden, Local Sourcing and Fresh Product Manager for the East of England Co-op, said: “These awards are a wonderful way for our members and customers to tell us which great-tasting local produce they’ve enjoyed most this year, and the incredible number of votes cast this year goes to show just how important local suppliers and produce is to us, our members and customers.

“My congratulations go to our three county winners and I wish them the best of luck for the final round. All of our producers do a fantastic job year round, bringing us great tasting local food and drink and I look forward to celebrating the success of Sourced Locally with them all at our Supplier Supper.”

Since 2007 the East of England Co-op has ploughed over £45.4million back into the regional economy, creating over 400 local jobs and protecting many more. Its Sourced Locally range has grown from a few suppliers to over 100, bringing thousands of local products into our stores.