Chichester Farmers Market

Local produce, seasonal food and market traditions

The Chichester farmers market is a regular fixture in the city centre, bringing together local food producers and the buying public in the kind of direct, face-to-face trading that has taken place in this city since the medieval period. The market is held on the first and third Friday of each month in East Street and the surrounding area, and it draws a loyal clientele of residents who value provenance, quality and the personal connection with the people who grow and make their food.

The stalls cover a broad range of produce. Seasonal vegetables, free-range eggs, artisan bread, cheese, cured meats, honey, jams, cakes, pies, fresh fish, game and free-range poultry are all regularly available. The producers come from farms and food businesses within the surrounding area of West Sussex, Hampshire and the South Downs, and many have been trading at the market for years. Regular customers build relationships with their favourite stallholders, knowing exactly where their food comes from and how it is produced.

The vegetable stalls reflect the seasons. Spring brings asparagus and new potatoes, summer sees strawberries, tomatoes and courgettes, autumn delivers squash, apples and root vegetables, and winter offers hearty brassicas, leeks and stored produce. This seasonal rhythm is one of the pleasures of shopping at a farmers market, and it encourages a more thoughtful approach to cooking and eating than the year-round uniformity of the supermarket.

The cheese stalls are a highlight. Small-scale cheese makers from Sussex and the surrounding counties bring their products to market, and the range includes hard cheeses, soft cheeses, goat's cheese and blue cheese. Tasting before buying is usually possible, and the stallholders are happy to discuss their production methods and suggest pairings.

Bread from artisan bakeries, including sourdough, rye, spelt and traditional white loaves, is popular and often sells out early. Arriving within the first hour of trading is advisable for those who want the best selection.

The market atmosphere is sociable. Chichester residents use it as a meeting point, catching up with neighbours and friends over a coffee from one of the refreshment stalls. Dogs are welcome, children are catered for, and the pace is unhurried. The setting in the historic city centre, surrounded by medieval and Georgian buildings, adds to the experience.

The farmers market complements the regular Wednesday and Saturday street markets, which sell a wider range of goods including clothing, household items and general produce. Together, these markets maintain a tradition of street trading that has been central to Chichester's civic life for centuries.

Bread from artisan bakeries, including sourdough, rye, spelt and traditional white loaves, is among the most popular items and often sells out within the first hour or two of trading. Arriving early is advisable for those who want the best selection, particularly of the more sought-after items like fresh sourdough and seasonal specialties.

The market atmosphere is sociable and unhurried. Chichester residents use it as a meeting point, catching up with neighbours and friends over a coffee from one of the refreshment stalls while browsing the produce. Dogs are welcome, children are catered for with samples and the chance to see and handle real food, and the pace is relaxed. The setting in the historic city centre, surrounded by medieval and Georgian buildings, adds to the experience and connects the modern market to the centuries-old tradition of street trading in Chichester.

The farmers market complements the regular Wednesday and Saturday street markets, which sell a wider range of goods including clothing, household items, flowers and general produce. Together, these markets maintain a tradition of open-air trading that has been central to Chichester civic and commercial life for the better part of a thousand years.