Iconic London wholesale market leads calls to back British fruit and vegetable growers as UK farmers fall on hard times

London’s leading wholesale market is spearheading the drive to champion British fruit and vegetable growers amid tough times for the UK farming industry.

Traders at New Covent Garden Market (NCGM), the country’s leading wholesale market, are backing British Food Fortnight (BFF), which celebrates the rich diversity of produce grown across the country.

"British growers are the backbone of our market and the wider food industry,” says Wanda Goldwag OBE, Chair of Covent Garden Market Authority, the landlord and management company at NCGM.

“But the challenges the fresh produce industry is facing right now – everything from climate change and labour shortages, to soaring energy and production costs – are immense. If we’re not careful, then predictions about the number of British growers we could lose will sadly become true.

“It is more important than ever to champion domestically grown produce, and back our British growers to protect our proud horticultural heritage here in the UK.”

The comments were made at an event held at NCGM to mark the launch of the 23rd British Food Fortnight (BFF), and designed to support British farmers by highlighting the appreciation of high-quality, seasonal food that’s grown and produced both domestically and sustainably.

NCGM is a long-term supporter of BFF and recognises the value and significance of a strong domestic grower base.

Traders at the wholesale market, which stocks British icons including Harrods, Bailey & Sage, and Partridge’s, as well as hundreds of other restaurants, catering companies and independent food businesses, proudly proclaimed their support for British produce.

Gary Marshall, Owner of Bevington Salads and Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association, which represents the majority of the fruit, veg and flower wholesalers at NCGM. “This market has been crucial to the London food supply chain for several centuries and British growers have always been central to what we do.”

He added: “Many of the companies here have relationships with British growers that span the generations and the passion and pride we feel to be able to sell their fruit and vegetables to the fantastic independent retail, catering and hospitality trades of London and the South East of England is immense.

“Our customers demand, of course, that we provide a year-round supply of premium fresh produce from all corners of the world, but there is nothing to match the buzz in Buyers’ Walk when new-season homegrown produce arrives.”

The early morning event to mark the start of BFF saw guests enjoy a breakfast cooked using products sourced from the market’s Buyers’ Walk that morning, by student chefs from Westminster Kingsway College (Westking) in Victoria. Westking buys its fresh produce from NCGM and also receives two products each month, one homegrown and one imported, free of charge, to support its students’ development.

Alexia Robinson, Founder & CEO, Love British Food, the organiser of BFF since its inception, said: “It is fitting that the 23rd British Food Fortnight is launched at New Covent Garden Market, the Britain’s oldest and largest fresh produce wholesale market.

“We are so grateful to the traders for all they do, working through the night to bring fresh fruits and vegetables into London. We all know, as a country, we need to grow more fruit and veg and so it is very appropriate that the national food celebrations kick off here.”

Ms Goldwag OBE added: “The first day of British Food Fortnight is always a momentous day in the nation’s food calendar.

“With our market’s catering suppliers providing premium, world class product to the vast majority of the Michelin starred restaurants in the capital, as well as thousands more small independent businesses, we are proud to host the launch event for this unique celebration of British produce.”