The group headed to Norfolk to visit Condimentum, which produces premium-quality mustard and mint ingredients for the food industry, and to hone their skills in chairing meetings.
They spent the morning with trainer Debra Stevens, looking at how to plan and conduct successful meetings, including techniques to encourage productive discussion and active participation. They then donned PPE for a tour of the site, led by Condimentum Head of Commercial Jonathan Mason.
He outlined how Condimentum was established when the historic but outdated Colman’s factory in the centre of Norwich was facing closure. Mustard and mint growers joined forces to establish an independent production plant dedicated to processing these ingredients.
The site, on the Norwich Food Enterprise Park, includes one of only three mills worldwide capable of producing double superfine mustard flour.
Mr Mason said that, by combining traditional milling methods with cutting-edge technology, Condimentum processes over 6,000 tonnes of mustard seed and 2,000 tonnes of fresh mint every year.
The member development group launched in April and runs until 2027. The next event for the participants will be attending NFU Conference.