Local suppliers are in demand in East Anglia, thanks to the Elveden Estate which is providing over 147 new local products to ASDA stores in the region in the next few weeks.

In 2005 the Business was set up to source, promote and market Exceptional East Anglian Food and Drink for ASDA. Acting as a regional distribution Centre, the Fine Food Business represents over 60 small to medium suppliers across the six counties, supplying hundreds of products to ASDA stores in the region.

Suppliers are now being asked to come forward with products they believe would be of interest to ASDA customers across East Anglia, with the Elveden Estate prepared to guide suppliers through the process of becoming an ASDA supplier.

Natasha Card, Elveden Hub Manager, explains: “We are constantly looking for new and exciting suppliers to add to our ASDA range, and we regularly attend food markets and festivals to try to stay ahead in supplying the very best our region has to offer. We try to give the local suppliers access to a customer base that would normally be out of their reach.  Little and often supply makes it possible for small volume suppliers to service ASDA stores while at the same time giving them a better understanding the requirements of a major supermarket.”

Elveden also offers practical business advice for suppliers thinking of working with a large supermarket.

Natasha said: “Supermarkets specify a number of criteria for distribution, such as bar-coding and some suppliers do not have the ability to do this.  We are able to provide this service for them. We encourage small suppliers who may have previously never thought about supplying supermarkets.  As well as coordinating orders and deliveries we also are able to provide detailed sales information back to the customers allowing them to focus on what they are good at, which is producing top quality local goods.

“Distribution is one of the most challenging areas for local producers. Typically it is not an area of expertise for the producer, but nevertheless is essential.  With more and more emphasis being put on food miles it is a key driver to source and supply locally.  With our extensive and expertly planned delivery routes we are able to utilise all the space on our vehicles and collect from our suppliers while delivering to our customers.”

Paul Dover, ASDA Customer Planning Manager for Local, believes that the new East Anglian products will encourage more local suppliers to come forward.

Paul commented: “The new local products in East Anglia are the result of working with Elveden to listen to which local products our customers want and we believe the new range is relevant and exciting for customers. We hope that the new suppliers, such as Reads bakery from Framlingham, FL Edge Butchers from East Harling, Fynn Valley Foods from in Buxhall, Anglia pre-packed Fish from  Lowestoft, Dingley Dell Pork from Campsea Ashe, Jonas Seafood from East Runton, O Flynns Bakery from Norwich and Banham Poultry from Attleborough will be extremely popular and lead to new suppliers getting in touch.”