is one of Norwich’s best-kept secrets. It is the great paradox of this organisation that it can be so near the market square but still regarded as being ‘out of the way’. But it’s an organisation well worth going out of the way to visit. Situated on Bethel Street it is Norwich’s Environment Centre; a registered charity that promotes sustainable living. The Trust began in 1994, and set about reconstructing and reconditioning its Victorian base to meet the energy demands of the 21st century (a quick glance reveals an array of solar panels and extensive rainwater harvesting).

This sustainable building is the base for the Greenhouse’s organic and fairtrade café and shop. The Greenhouse has deep roots in this now fashionable field, and sells a variety of fairtrade, organic and recycled goods, from recycled stationery to organic wine, whilst the café serves exclusively organic and vegetarian food. Their menu reflects the seasons, and in the kitchen a team of volunteers make a wide variety of salads and a soup of the day using fresh local produce. If you fancy a sweet treat, the range of homemade cakes is breathtaking, and caters for a variety of dietary needs. The light sponge and thick gooey topping of the vegan chocolate and beetroot cake is particularly recommended. And if you enjoy the food you eat, for only £4 you can buy the Greenhouse Cookbook and recreate the nutritious organic goodness at home. Lots of recent media coverage has reinforced the dangers to our environment and to our health from cheap animal produce. So why not enjoy the alternative? The food on offer at the Greenhouse is sustainable, affordable, and very tasty. 

The Greenhouse is open from 10-5, Tuesday to Saturday. Further info available at:
www.greenhousetust.co.uk
or by calling: 01603 631007.