Florence Road Market

In this blog, we wanted to talk a bit about the Florence Road Market, not just because we sell our nut butters there, but more because they’re awesome! Not only do they provide a place for local producers to sell their goods and give local people a chance to buy delicious local produce, they were absolute stars during lock-down and continue to support struggling families during this difficult time. Here are just some of the reasons we love them:

Local food producers always have a difficult time getting their produce to local people because of the big supermarkets dominating the market and pushing everyone else out. We are lucky here in Brighton that we have a greater awareness of these kinds of issues than lots of other places and thus, more outlets for local food growers and makers. The Florence Road Market, at One Church, is one such outlet as everything they have on offer has been grown and/or made locally by small independent businesses. Regular stalls include:

· Calcot Farm Produce – based in Steyning and selling meat straight from the farm

· Al the Pieman – selling homemade pies

· Flint Owl Bakery – providing sourdough bread and other baked goods

· Downsview and High Weald Dairies – selling milk and cheese

· Rock Farm – with locally grown organic fruit and vegetables

· Chili Shaak – selling hot food like onion bhajis

· Miranda’s Plants – an organic plant grower based right here in Brighton

· Becky’s Brownies – making all sorts of brownies in Brighton

· Pro Baristas – with a coffee cart and selling coffee beans they roast themselves

Being surrounded by all these lovely local businesses selling to local people is a real pleasure and we’re delighted to be part of this wonderful sustainable food initiative.

COVID Heroes

Like most other places, the market was forced to close during lock-down but this did not stop the lovely volunteers from feeding local people with this locally produced food. Not only did they very quickly set up an online shop, where loads of businesses could sell their produce and have it delivered to people, they also introduced a superb initiative where people could order a vegetable selection box to be delivered to themselves and another to be given to needy families who were struggling to feed themselves during lock-down. Over 200 families received help through this scheme as well as the businesses being thrown a lifeline by being able to sell through this online platform.

Florence Road Market and Katie’s Nuttery

From the gushy tone of this blog, we’re sure you get the idea that we’re very pleased to be a part of the Florence Road Market! We love selling our nut butters at the market itself but also through the online platform. The organisers are such great people and it’s a real privilege to be a part of such a lovely initiative.

Even with the lock-down easing and the market back on in its physical form, the online shop is still running, offering an even wider selection of local produce than the market itself. If you’d like to come down and see what the Florence Road Market has to offer - and maybe try some of our delicious nut butter – pop along on Saturday mornings from 9am to 2.30pm or check out the website for food deliveries on Saturdays or Wednesdays. You can also buy our nut butter online at www.katiesnuttery.com/shop.