Nourishing Norfolk & Feeding Britain
Making a Differene Together
The 5-year Friendship Powering Change in Norfolk
Partnership has always been central to the Nourishing Norfolk mission. Strong relationships help ideas grow, strengthen community leadership and create space for innovation. As the pressures facing households continue to rise, collaboration is more important than ever.
The latest Feeding Resilience report highlights the role that Affordable Food Clubs can play nationally. With 11.3% of UK households experiencing food insecurity in 2025 and healthier foods rising in price by 21% in just two years, the need for reliable, local access to affordable food is clear. The report shows that Affordable Food Clubs significantly improve diet, wellbeing and financial resilience — benefits that align closely with the experience across Norfolk’s food hubs.
Partnering for Good
Feeding Britain has been part of Nourishing Norfolk’s journey since its earliest days, helping shape the thinking behind the model and contributing to its growth. This longstanding connection deepens our shared understanding of what communities are facing and how best to respond.
At the January 2026 Nourishing Norfolk Network meeting, we announced the next step in this partnership: the recruitment of a new Network Coordinator for the East of England, supported by Feeding Britain and, specifically for the Norfolk‑based work, by Norfolk Community Foundation.
The new regional coordinator will bring together on‑the‑ground support to food hubs across Norfolk and the wider region, as well as sharing learning, insight and practical tools across the Network. They will strengthen the connection between local food hubs, and allow their voices to be heard in national discussions about food insecurity.
This matters. UEA’s evaluation of the programme showed that food hubs thrive when they are connected to a wider network. This ongoing support provided by the coordinator role will continue to offer this structure, proven to improve outcomes for local people.
The difference on the ground
A parent supported by Steps in Wymondham said:
“Not only has it been hugely helpful in terms of finances and being able to make sure my children never go hungry, it has also had a substantial impact on my mental health. Knowing that each week I will see friendly, welcoming people and will be able to sit in a warm (physically and emotionally) environment where my children can play and I can have a cup of coffee and feel welcome is priceless. … a lot of places are not accessible to us but most of my children love coming to the “small shop” and staying to play. It also means that I get to enjoy other adults’ company. Again, this is something that money can’t buy.”
This human connection is what makes the model powerful. It is also what Norfolk can bring to the national conversation through this partnership.
Collaboration helps communities do more than they could alone. It strengthens local leadership, builds resilience and encourages new approaches — from wrap‑around support and co‑located services to innovative solutions for sourcing fresh food.
Our partnership with Feeding Britain will help deepen this learning and ensure that Norfolk’s insights contribute to national solutions.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, a key focus for Nourishing Norfolk is strengthening the reliable supply of affordable, good-quality food to hubs across the county. Hubs have told us that supply, particularly of fresh food at low prices, is one of their biggest challenges. In 2022, The Foundation established the central warehouse to supply the Network with food and essential items to overcome some of these challenges. Together with the Network, we have learned how powerful our collaboration can be in building a strong model. But there is still more to do.
A new opportunity will be launching Easter 2026, inviting groups and partners to help drive innovation in how fresh food reaches families, especially in rural and coastal communities. If you see yourself as part of Nourishing Norfolk’s future, please get in touch to find out more.
