Sustain • Good Food Enterprises • Food Co-ops toolkit • Fruit & vegetable suppliers
Wholesale markets
There are only a few wholesale markets left in the UK, so generally this will only be an option if you are based in or near a large city*.
The main advantage is that they often sell a wide range of produce, including more unusual or exotic produce, and you will be able to pick and choose between different traders and their products. It can often be the cheapest option, but prices (and availability) fluctuate daily, and you will often need your own car to go to the market. Most wholesale markets operate in the very early hours, often closing doors at 6am.
The main disadvantage is if you are interested in locally grown food as you may find it isharder to buy or even identify local produce at wholesale markets.
For example, in London, New Covent Garden and New Spitalfields Market offer fruit and vegetables, Smithfield Market sells meat, and Billingsgate Market sells fish for wholesale.
To find more useful food co-op related information visit our homepage
Food Co-ops toolkit: The Food Co-ops Toolkit will give you all the information you need to set up your own food co-op.
