I love sunny days like today. I also like Thursdays, so sunny Thursdays are the best.

Why?

Well, it’s the Sudbury Town Market and when you’ve pledged, as I have to buy local and forego the impromptu trips to the supermarket, the market is a must.

In an attempt to get organised, I’ve written a menu plan and I spent £18 on fresh seasonal fruit and veg that I will turn into smoothies, healthy snacks, salads (it was sunny and I am  feeling healthy) asparagus risotto, chillies, vegetable lasagnes and a rafi’s curry.

Today another 3 Sudbury businesses showed their support for the Buy Local campaign; thebestof Sudbury member,  Juniper Flowers on North Street – without a shadow of a doubt the most stylish florist in the area – a florist with a Vintage Twist. There are some exciting plans for the shop, including a floristry workshop and another fantastic vintage event in August at St Peter’s Church.

Award winning opticians Wardale Williams have taken a load of Buy Local bunting to display. Whilst that was been organised, we took 5 minutes to have a quick Buy Local Selfie with the sticker I gave them last year.

The Rude Strawberry, on Friars Street, was one of the first businesses last year to display a BUY LOCAL sticker are still proudly displaying it. They have a great menu for vegans, those that would like gluten free food and those that want their food locally sourced

After a morning in Sudbury, I popped down the road to lavenham and to the newly opened Lavenham Butchers at the bottom of the high street. If there was ever a campaign for a butchers, it’s this one. All produce (where possible) is locally sourced; Sutton Hoo chickens, beef from Chelsworth, pigs from Blythburgh, homemade pies. I was impressed. Yes, their meat will be more expensive than a value pack from Tesco’s, but it will be better quality and the animals will have had a good life; well grazed and looked after. It also won’t have been transported far, as the animals are reared within Suffolk and North Essex. You can’t get more local.

So, if you’re in Lavenham, do pop in and have a chat with the owners Jen, Greg & Gareth

Whilst in Lavenham I had to pop up and visit Café Knit… not because I needed any yarn, but because I really really wanted some. If you have a small knitting obsession, as I do, you must visit. It’s up the top of the high street. Victoria also sells tea, coffee and cake!