Wholesale markets

There are only a limited number of wholesale markets left in England, and the rest of the UK.

So generally this will only be an option if you are based in or near a large city – for example, London, Liverpool, Gateshead, Birmingham, Glasgow, Wolverhampton, Nottingham, Manchester or Leicester.

The main advantage with wholesale markets is that they sell very wide range of produce, so you should be able to get everything you need and be able to buy more unusual or exotic produce. Conversely, if you are interested in locally grown food, you may find that it is harder to buy or even identify local produce at wholesale markets.

You will be able to see what is at the market and pick and choose between different traders to get the cheapest prices. However, prices fluctuate daily and so you won’t be able to know exactly how much everything is going to cost in advance.

The main disadvantage with wholesale markets is that in order to get the best prices you will generally need to have your own vehicle to go to the market and pick up produce, rather than have it delivered.

And you will have to get up very early in the morning to go there - most food co-ops who buy direct from markets get there about 6am at the latest.

Sustain 2012   E: foodcoops@sustainweb.org   T: 020 7837 1228
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