Wealden businesses support Sussex food and drink producers
Publish Date: 26 February 2026
Wealden shops, pubs, restaurants, cafés and caterers have come out in support of local Sussex food and drink producers, urging people to buy local and benefit their local community.
Since the Sussex Six Campaign was launched in the district in July 2025, 24 quality Wealden shops and hospitality businesses have pledged to serve and sell more locally produced food and drink.
With support from Wealden District Council, Natural Partnerships, which launched Sussex Six in 2023, has created an online Wealden food and drink directory to help businesses replace national and international products with locally made food and drink.
The Wealden District and Sussex-wide food and drink directories include over 600 listings at Sussex Six, which includes a Google map showing where to find the businesses supporting local produce. Businesses wishing to get involved can also find out more at the Sussex Six pages on the website.
Over 50 of Wealden’s finest food and drink businesses attended a Sussex Six networking workshop at Tottingworth Farm Shop and Café in Heathfield organised by Natural Partnerships CIC. Michelle Betts, founder of Sussex-based By Jove Media, shared top tips on how to make the most of social media for food and drink businesses.
Councillor James Partridge, Alliance for Wealden (Liberal Democrat) lead councillor for Governance, Waste & Local Economy and leader of the council, said, “Every time you choose local food you’re investing in your community and the wider Wealden area. Supporting our high streets, local families, local jobs and making our towns and villages thrive is an important part of what we should be doing. When we eat local, we help businesses grow and Wealden to continue to flourish for generations to come.”
“Sixty-three percent of people say they support businesses who sell or serve local products, but it’s hard for them to know who is genuinely doing this. The best way for them to know is for businesses to tell them,” said Hilary Knight from Natural Partnerships CIC.
“We urge local hospitality and retail businesses to highlight your suppliers on your shelves, on your menus, on your newsletters, website, and social media.
Name that wonderful Sussex cheese producer who works night and day to create something unique and tasty. Tell them about that farmer who rears your succulent lamb only five miles away. Name that beer from the brewery down the road which you use in your beer batter or pies. Flag the bakers who make your bread, the dairy that makes your butter. List the delicious Sussex wine that’s on your menu – some of the best in the world. Use your selling point, by telling people you are supporting your local food and drink producers. In no time, you could find some of your top selling products and dishes are Sussex made, and your customer loyalty could grow and grow!”
Wealden businesses which have made the Sussex Six Pledge to increase the local produce they serve and sell are: Babylon Eco, Bar Trend, Curd and Rennet, Elm Green, Everyday Brew Co, Gun Brewery, Isfield Farm Shop, Laurel Tree Fruit Farms, Long Man Brewery Shop, Plaw Hatch Farm, Royal Oak and Castle, Rathfinney Estate (Restaurant), Shearers Fine Food, South Brockwells Farm Shop and The Poachers Pocket, Tottingworth Farm Shop and Café, The Butler’s Pantry at Heaven Farm, The Highland Inn, The Old Oak Inn, The Sundial Restaurant, The Star Inn Waldron, Two Tails Tap Room and Vine and Dine.
Notes to editors:
This project is part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit here
