Of course it is possible when renting a holiday cottage to do a ‘Tesco drop’ and arrange for your shopping to arrive once you have settled in. But why not stop off briefly en route at a local farm shop and suss out what Suffolk producers can offer you? It could be fun and you’ll probably discover things you’ll want to go back for another time.
There are several farm shops along the A12 between Woodbridge and Southwold which sell locally produced products including jams, biscuits, cakes and dairy products not to mention the wealth of locally grown and usually organic bacon, poultry and meat as well as fruit and vegetables.

Grange Farm shop is the closest to Woodbridge and when approaching the town from the south you’ll need to turn left onto the B1079, the Grundisburgh Road and the shop will be on your left after about 500 metres.
Grange Farm Shop, Grundisburgh Road, Hasketon, Woodbridge, IP13 6HN
01473 735610 Monday – Saturday 8.30am -5 pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

Ufford Produce & Provision Co is just off the A12 in Loudham Lane, Lower Ufford, a ‘scenic’ village, and was finalist best farm shop category, EADT (East Anglian Daily Times) Suffolk Food and Drink Awards 2007. IP13 6EA - 01394 460813

Just past Wickham Market, as the A12 reverts to a single carriageway, you will see a sign for Farm Café on your right as you approach Marlesford. Here you can get one of the best breakfasts in the County - so we’re told! A great place to take refreshment and perhaps to get some lovely local goodies!
Farm café & food market, Main Road (A12), Marlesford, IP13 0AG - 01728 747717
The café & food market are open every day - summer 7am-5pm and winter
7am–3pm (4pm weekends)

Further north and just off the A12 on the Aldeburgh road, the B1094 is Friday Street Farm shop. This farm shop now has a fine ‘teashop’ and in the right season boasts a fun maize maze! Great for the kids et al to stretch their legs after a long car journey. There are also home grown raspberries and strawberries either for sale in the shop or still growing so you can PYO -again at the right time of year.
Friday Street Farm Shop, Friday Street, Farnham, Saxmundham, IP17 1JX 01728 602783 9am – 5.30pm (6pm in Summer), Sundays and Bank Holidays 9am-5pm

You will find that these shops actually offer much more than just local produce and you will be able to get a range of other quality foodstuffs such as bread, olives, olive oil and general groceries. Often there is also available a great range of frozen ready meals prepared by local firms such as Peasenhall Pantry.

If you are heading for Westleton and the Dunwich area then a good place to stop is Emmerdale farm shop on the Westleton Road – right just after going through Yoxford.
Emmerdale Farm Shop
Westleton Road, Darsham, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3BP 01728 668 648 Monday – Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sundays 10am – 4 pm