Highlighting the importance of fresh British produce was the aim when a group of diverse fruit and vegetable growers visited New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) to launch British Food Fortnight (BFF).

As an annual two-week showcase for all domestically produced food and drink, BFF was launched at NCGM with an interactive event that gave press reporters a chance to meet growers, wholesalers and catering distributors in a celebration of wonderful UK-grown produce.

Gary Marshall, Owner of Bevington Salads and Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association (CGTA), was one of the speakers at the launch for all invited guests, followed by a Q&A event for press. “We love the Market, we like what we do and we’re passionate about it. And when you speak to growers, that’s exactly what they think about their jobs too,” said Gary, who has been CGTA chairman for 20 years.

“I had the opportunity to visit John Myatt’s Mockbeggar Farm last year and look at something we thought we’d never see – nectarines and peaches being commercially grown in Kent. The taste was sensational, and it caused a real storm on social media. That’s why we do this.”

Speaking with passion about NCGM’s role in the fresh produce supply chain, Gary articulated what makes the Market and its traders so special. “The guys at this Market are second to none. We’ve been crucial to London for several centuries and British growers have always been central to what we do,” said Gary. “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.”

Above: Gary Marshall, Owner of Bevington Salads and Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association, speaking at the launch event for British Food Fortnight at NCGM on Friday 20 September.

In the year that NCGM celebrates 50 years of successful trading from its Nine Elms location, Gary says that the Market is a strong position as it looks to the next 50 years. “The opportunity for entrepreneurs with a good work ethic on this Market is massive. The biggest problem we had 15 years ago was how we were going to recruit, to encourage young people to come into the Market and work through the night. Somehow, we’ve managed our way through that – the Market now has got a real good balance. There are lots of younger faces out there, men and women, and it’s lovely to see as we need their energy and desire to protect our futures. I know they’ll do that; the Market’s future is in very good hands.”

Jason Tanner, MD of The Menu Partners and Premier Food Wholesale gave a live interview with local radio station Riverside Radio who were broadcasting their breakfast show live from NCGM (see photo below). Jason explained to Riverside's audience - located across Lambeth, Merton, Richmond, and Wandsworth - how his company has grown from zero 25 years ago to a £370 million turnover across several sites and now distributes nationwide and overseas.

Above: Jason Tanner, MD of The Menu Partners and Premier Food Wholesale gave a live interview with local radio station Riverside Radio at NCGM on Friday 20 September.

"I appreciate that some companies are still working in the older part of the Market, but I think the new Market facilities are now beginning to make a real difference," said Jason. "We have two new facilities and we’re able to retain staff for longer by giving them improved working conditions – our own toilets and canteens, for example."

Will Thorogood is MD of Thorogoods and Rushton’s, a fifth-generation greengrocer, that celebrated its centenary last year. “Originally we were in Borough Market and moved here when the Market opened in 1974,” said Will. “We’re also on New Spitalfields and Western International. As a wholesaler, we predominantly we sell British vegetables and salads and we’re starting to do our own distribution. We also have Mushroom Man in the group and that’s doing really well, as well as catering firm Rushton’s. We’re the only firm left that is in all three London wholesale markets, which gives us a unique perspective. While all of the markets are very different, you can see similar patterns across all three despite the nuances.”

Read more about the launch of BFF 2024 here.