Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival Conference to focus on diet and health

The Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival at Snape Maltings is holding its fourth conference on Friday, 28 September focusing on the connection between diet and health and the advantages of the local food economy.

The talk, which takes place just before the actual festival on the weekend 29-30 September, has the title Eating Wisely and Well.

The subject is one which concerns us all – the connection between our diet and our health and the need to change what and how we eat.

The conference is being chaired by well-known broadcaster, Bill Turnbull. Speakers include Professor Andrew Fearne from the Norwich Business School who has been studying buying habits of consumers for over 15 years and will explain the challenges of bringing about behavioural change.

Also on the agenda is Professor Alastair Forbes, a medical doctor, scientist and gastroentrerologist, from the University of East Anglia, the Norwich Research Park and the new Quadram Institute. (which opens this summer and will lead on food, microbiome and health research, bringing together clinical and non-clinical scientists).  He will talk about the connection between food, diet and gut health.

He be followed by Bee Wilson, the acclaimed author and food writer who will discuss why and how she believes change is possible. In the context of diet and health, the conference will also be focusing on the role of local food and the health advantages of food from short supply chains. Doug Field (CEO of the East of England Co-op and Chair of the New Anglia LEP) and Oliver Paul from the Suffolk Food Hall will be taking the lead on this. Martin Collison from the rural agri-food consultancy will sum up and will also discuss the possible consequences of Brexit for our regional and local food chains.

The speakers will be assisted by panellists, the majority of whom are from highly successful entrepreneurial farm-based food businesses and also include a representative from Greener Growth, the community-focused group which encourages communities to grow (and cook) their own vegetables .

The conference has been organised so that there is plenty of time for discussion – and a ticket will also include a two-course lunch of local food, featuring Bigod Brie and other wonderful Suffolk specialities.