Locally produced food and drink forms a key part of life in Ipswich and Suffolk, bringing enormous benefits to the local economy, communities and the environment. Whilst supermarkets have an important role to play in providing affordable food, Dan knows that residents in Suffolk value the opportunity to support local producers by purchasing food and drink that is from their local area.
Last week, Dan visited Gressingham Foods near Woodbridge, better known for its famous Gressingham Duck, which has grown to become one of Suffolk’s largest food producers, employing over 500 people across both of its factories in Debach and South Norfolk and its farms. Dan was given a tour of the production factory in Debach by Will Kemp, before meeting with Managing Director Geoffrey Buchanan and Chairman Maurice Buchanan. A number of issues affecting the local food industry in Suffolk were discussed, including problems with the Agricultural Buildings Allowance and proposals by the Health and Safety Executive to impose full cost recovery of factory interventions in some circumstances.
Gressingham Foods is a family owned business which produces high-quality duck and speciality meat products, reared to meet the highest standards of animal welfare. In 2005 the business won ‘Best New Poultry Product’ at the Meat Industry Awards and was also awarded the East Anglian Daily Times ‘Business of the Year’. Local businesses like Gressingham not only form an important part of the Suffolk economy, but also lie at the heart of their communities by donating to local charities and working closely with local schools, sports teams and other community organisations. Gressingham Foods has donated £14,500 to a variety of charities and community programmes for young people in Suffolk. Dan would like to thank Geoffrey and Maurice Buchanan for meeting with him, and he looks forward to taking their concerns forward in Parliament.