We Are England S2022E82 - Serving England A Night at the Market

On the banks of the River Thames, in the shadow of Battersea Power Station, sits New Covent Garden Market - the UK's largest wholesale fresh food market. This sprawling wholesale market is the centre of the supply chain of fresh fruit and veg to the capital and beyond.

As night falls, more than 2,000 workers make sure everyone, from Michelin-starred chefs to those working in prison kitchens, have the best quality fresh food available in the UK.

With 152 wholesalers, 35 acres of land, and an annual turnover of £650 million, the market deals with thousands of tonnes of produce every night.

The Market's history can be traced back 1670, when it stood at the original Covent Garden site. In 1974, it was moved to a purpose-built facility the size of nearly seven football pitches.

Brexit, Covid and the recent cost of living crisis have meant tough times for the market over the past few years. As European imports are more difficult to manage, the industry has reshaped itself and the power balance has shifted. Traders now deal with farms directly, and tell chefs what's available and work with them to set more seasonal menus focusing on local British produce.

The stakes are still high, with market wholesalers competing with supermarkets for their orders while ensuring their highly perishable fruit and veg remain in tip top condition for their customers.