London’s fruit and vegetable wholesale markets were out in force on the trade day of this year’s Real Food Festival in London.
As part of the London Development Agency-funded area at the exhibition, corporate development managers from New Spitalfields, Western International and New Covent Garden markets took to their stands in order to attract new customers to wholesale.
Tim Williams, corporate development manager at New Spitalfields, told freshinfo: “The trade day is a good time for us to be here. We have the chance to talk to producers and small companies, who may not realise the better deal they could have from the market.”
Western International Market Tenants’ Association’s Peter Clarke was hoping to meet different kinds of customers at the show, to introduce later to traders at Western International.
He said: “This is primarily a consumer show, but there are small businesses around that will need to source fruit and vegetables to make products like ready-made meals or chutneys. It is a different kind of customer, but we welcome them.
“We have seen a growth in what we call elegant delis, which not only sell cold meats and the like, but have a really good-quality offer of fruit and vegetables. They will come to this show.”
The wholesale markets remained at the festival throughout the three-day event, although the Saturday and Sunday focused on consumers.
“It is important that consumers know about wholesale markets, because it is where the best fresh produce comes from,” said Williams. “The street traders and retail markets are selling our stock and that is what a lot of consumers will be buying.
“The fruit and vegetables you buy at the supermarkets have been in the system for two to three days sometimes before they reach the shelves.
“We do not use unnecessary packaging and there is more chance of getting local produce at street markets through us than the supermarkets. It is important that consumers know this.”
