NHS Norfolk’s Joy of Food team are taking part in the first ever Thetford Food and Drink Festival on Sunday 5 September.

The Thetford festival has been organised by the Keystone Development Trust. It is part of the county-wide EDP Norfolk Food Festival and takes place at the Guildhall from 10am to 4pm.

As part of the festival, the Joy of Food team is organising “create a creature” workshops at the Abbey Neighbourhood Centre and Thetford Library, where visitors will be invited to make cauliflower sheep and mashed potato hedgehogs, among others. They will be demonstrating recipes too.

Visitors will be able to meet the Joy of Food trainers, learn more about portion sizes, and about Joy of Food workshops which take place across the county. Everyone will be invited to come and try the Joy of Food traffic light kebabs.

Caroline Seaman, NHS Norfolk’s Joy of Food lead, said: “We are delighted to be taking part in the first Thetford Food Festival, as part of our activities for the wider Norfolk Food Festival, and look forward to meeting people who have benefitted from Joy of Food in Thetford.


“Enjoying a wide range of different foods and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day are important to give you more energy, and protect your short and long term health and wellbeing.


“Reducing your salt, sugar and fat intake is also vital to maintaining a healthy diet. The Joy of Food aims to show simple ways that this can be achieved, and we are delighted to be taking part in the festival and passing on ideas for how to make everyday dishes healthier.”

NHS Norfolk’s lottery-funded Joy of Food project has been running for two years. The Thetford Joy of Food is part of Thetford Healthy Town, and is able to offer real help and support. It promotes healthy eating, correct portion sizes and offers real help and support to people wanting to make the switch to healthier eating.

It provides cook-and-eat programmes in communities, offering easy recipes, top tips on saving money and information about balanced diets and food labels.

Caroline added: “The social pleasure of sharing food with friends and family is also really important, and this is another message we will be continuing to reinforce during the festival.


“Norfolk has a great range of produce and there is no better time to promote it. We hope many people will come along to the event, and celebrate the huge variety of delicious Norfolk food available.”

The festival will showcase some of the best food and drink producers and retailers from across the area. Part of the county wide Norfolk Food Festival, it is being organised by Keystone Development Trust in partnership with Thetford Healthy Town. Entry to the event is free.

Holly Gilbert, Community Health Officer of Thetford Healthy Town, added: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the first Thetford Food and Drink Festival.


“Thetford Healthy Town is all about encouraging people to adopt a healthier lifestyle, and eating healthily – as well as striving to be more active, is a great part of this.


“Joy of Food workshops in the town have been well received by those who have taken part, so we are delighted the team will be attending the show. Visitors will also have the chance to learn more about the Thetford Healthy Town initiative, and the wide range of activities that are available on our doorstep.”

For more details on the Joy of Food on 01603 257219, email: [email protected] or visit www.norfolk.nhs.uk

For more information on the Thetford Food and Drink Festival call 01842 768 367, email [email protected] or go to www.thetfordfestival.org.uk.