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I'm not alone - I was one of around 3,500 who visited Snape Maltings for the 2006 event.

The Essex Pig Company

I enjoy knowing that the food I eat has travelled the shortest distance possible, not only for the sake of the food but also for the sake of the environment. So naturally I was delighted to hear that Snape Maltings was to host the first Aldeburgh Food & Drink Festival.

The organisers Johnny and Alesha Gooderham say their vision is to highlight the virtues of locally-grown fruits and vegetables, locally-reared meats and other quality food produce from this region. The farmers markets, which are held at Snape on the first and third Saturdays of the month, have been a huge success on which they wished to build.

The two day event (7th/8th October) not only acted as a vehicle for producers from Suffolk and Norfolk but also boasted a kitchen with a packed programme of events. Forming a focal point for the festival, visitors were treated to demonstrations from both local and nationally known chefs including Ruth Watson from The Crown & Castle Hotel in Orford and Brian Turner the TV chef. BBC Radio Suffolk's Nick Pandolfi was a compere.

Jimmy Doherty was manning the Essex Pig Company stall selling products from his farm at Wherstead where the BBC TV programme 'Jimmy's Farm' has boosted his profile.

The festival aimed to celebrate the quality and diversity of the superb independent food and drink producers and suppliers that abound in East Suffolk. It certainly did that! Visitors were tempted at every stall to taste and purchase produce, so much so that it was difficult to know where to start!

Particularly tempting was the smoked fish from Pinneys of Orford, beers from St Peters Brewery near Bungay, Hill Farm Oils who grow and press rapeseed oil in Halesworth and delicious home-made jams and preserves from Essence in Dereham. Maple Farm in nearby Kelsale is an organic family farm specializing in vegetables, eggs and honey and they also run a vegetable box delivery scheme.

Drinking in moderation is the key

Not only was the quality of the produce impressive but so too was the passion and enthusiasm the stall holders have for their products. They seem to genuinely believe in the benefits of using local products.

The quayside along the River Alde made a beautiful setting for lunch with tempting delights from the Wood Fired Pizza Company, Whip & Flip Crepes and Lane Farm Meats - all washed down of course with a pint of Adnams!

An enjoyable and educative experience in the beautiful setting of Snape Maltings, the first Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival very successfully highlighted the range and quality of local produce. In buying from these producers we are supporting our local economy and purchasing food stuffs which have had the least possible impact on the environment through reduced road miles.

But most interestingly we the consumers are actually getting a better deal, the food tastes great, it's not had to travel far to get to us and is so much fresher and healthier. Hopefully events such as this encourage more people to shop locally and continue to support the growing network of farmers markets.