Speciality Food Magazine - April 2026

Sponsored by Talking Italian STORE SPOTLIGHT 55 OWNERS: JEAN NIXON LOCATION: THETFORD, NORFOLK Thetford FarmShop What’s the philosophy behind the business? To be the heart of the local community.We aremore than a garden centre,we are a place to relax, explore, eatwell and spend quality time, all year round. We believe inworking in harmony with the environment, supporting local produce, business and community. Ultimately,wewant to create a homely, family-friendly destination that our customers love tovisit. What inspires the team? Our customers.Wewant tomake every customer feel happy and valued, this drives our team to be creative,whether that be a new display in-store or going the extra mile for a customer or simply taking the time to chatwith them about their day. Who shops with you? Familieswith children, parents aged 25-45. Empty nesters and retirees age 45-70. Dog owners. Lifestyle and home enthusiasts. What exciting plans do you have in the pipeline? We’re currently putting the finishing touches on a brand-new Lime Kiln Kitchen restaurant menu,with a stronger focus on vegetarian dishes, lighter lunch options, and, of course, some delicious newcakes.At the same time,we’re getting ready to reopen ourmuch-loved Norfolk PizzaCo trailer. Tucked away at the back of the garden centre, next to the yurt and children’s play area, it’s a great spot to relax and unwind. Our pizzas are freshlymade to order and cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven. It’s the perfect setting for summer evenings, andwe’re excited to be bringing livemusic back, starting with Bank HolidayMondayon 25thMay, followed by our regular Friday night sessions, ‘Twilight Tunes’,where each eveningwill feature a different playlist.We’ll also be introducing some newpizza toppings, so keep an eye out for those coming soon What do you love most about what you do? Every day is different. The garden centre is alivewith customers, newproduct ranges, fresh flowers, creative displays in-store. There’s always something that brightens upyour day. It’s also uplifting to hear and see customers enjoying theirvisit,meeting upwith old friends or family. It’s awonderful feeling to able to be part of creating a space that offers that for the local community. What’s trending for you right now? We’re seeing a shift inwhat people are looking forwhen they come in for lunch – lighter, fresher options that feel satisfyingwithout being too heavy. There’s also been a noticeable increase in demand for gluten- free choices. Customers aremuch more conscious of dietary needs, whether for health reasons or lifestyle, and they appreciate having avarietyof options that don’t feel like an afterthought. WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU LEMONS... BATHE IN THE TASTE OF SUNSHINE WITH ONE OF ITALY’S MOST ICONIC FLAVOURS Lemons have become such a staple in the British kitchen that it’s easy to forget just how wonderful they can be – and Italian cuisine offers plenty of ways to really celebrate the citrus at its finest. We’re all familiar with the fact that lemons can be utilised in both sweet and savoury dishes – think lemon-stuffed chicken and a supremely zingy lemon posset, to name hugely familiar British creations. But while it’s easy for customers to stick to what they know, delicious as it is, by sourcing incredible citrus from Italy and sharing recipe recommendations so they can enjoy it in inventive new ways, this king of citrus fruit can be celebrated in its all its glory. Many a food lover will have daydreamed about walking through lemon groves in the Italian sunshine – specifically the Amalfi Coast and Sicily – and you can make this dream a reality by bringing strongly-scented lemons into your displays. Create a multi- sensory experience by opting for unwaxed varieties, and if you can and have space, inspire your customers to get experimenting with the help of recipe cards. By keeping ingredients lists simple you can showcase the fruit at its finest – think a buttery, Parmesan-rich and lemon-scented pasta sauce softly enveloping a dish of steaming spaghetti, or suggest a lemon cheesecake sweetened with artisanal white chocolate and a base of crushed ginger biscuits. Lemons are a great year- round fruit to stock and are a versatile tool in the kitchen. Cordials and jams with a touch of lemon piquancy highlight summer’s bounty, while jammy roasted lemons add a surprising burst of sweet intensity to roasts and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes during the colder months and beyond. By celebrating lemons at their finest, highlighting the story of carefully sourced fruit, and being inventive when it comes to recipe inspiration, you can bring a zesty boost to sales. Ultimately, we want to create a homely, family-friendly destination that our customers love to visit