Setting out their stall. Suffolk farmer markets – where to shop local produce
Discover Suffolk's vibrant farmer markets, held monthly in Lavenham, Sudbury, Bury St Edmunds, and Colchester. Explore local produce, artisan goods and community spirit!
Back in 2008 a love of locally produced food and community inspired Justine Paul into a rescue mission. The doors of Lavenham Farmers’ Market were about to close for the last time; a small handful of producers and an equally small number of customers were all that was left of this monthly market. “I care about my food, and I care about where it comes from, so the notion of having no market in one of Suffolk’s oldest villages was something that didn’t sit comfortably and I decided to do something about it,” says Justine.
From there Suffolk Market Events developed and has evolved, organically, ever since. Fast forward 18 years and the business (now with Justine’s husband Alex also involved) runs over 100 markets a year including monthly ones at Lavenham, Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Long Melford, Colchester and Sudbury. Combined, these markets serve over 3,000 customers each month.
“We are regularly talking to potential small businesses, or start-ups, who are looking to come and join us,” explains Justine. “Equally we spend much of our time promoting the monthly markets through social media and our new website as well as road signs, which we put up the week leading up to these events and take down immediately afterwards.”
“We are also liaising constantly with our market locations and venues to ensure all the regulations are in place so our traders and shoppers can enjoy a safe shopping experience.”
Below are the markets in the region close to David Burr’s branches:
Lavenham Farmers Market:
This longstanding market has led the way in bringing local food to local communities and has won many awards most notably `Best Farmers Market in the UK 2022.’
It’s held inside and outside at Lavenham Village Hall. The market showcases over 40 of the highest quality artisan producers in the region and attracts hundreds of customers each month. Everything that is sold at the market comes from within a 30 mile radius with many traders living in Lavenham, and others travelling from the neighbouring towns and villages of Boxford, Sudbury and Ipswich. The range of produce includes fresh winter fruit and vegetables, locally baked, fresh bread, Suffolk pork, lamb and venison, home baked cakes and pies, home produced jams and chutneys and local sausages. There is a great range of flowers and plants, Suffolk honey, charcuterie and fresh, oven ready game.
When is it held? The fourth Sunday of every month – 10am – 1.30pm
Market Venue: Lavenham Village Hall, Church Street, Lavenham CO10 9QT.
Sudbury Farmers’ Market
The market spreads over the length of Market Hill in the centre of town, and is the perfect place to stock up on all your food shopping.
Produce on offer includes local beef and pork, sausages, homemade pies and regional cheeses, home baked cakes (including gluten free options), local honey, spices and herbs, chocolate and fudge, craft gin, chilli sauces, jams and chutneys, and an amazing selection of locally grown fresh vegetables. Plus great street food from Beats & Bagels and Mena’s Indian dishes.
When is it held? Last Friday of every month: 9.30am – 2pm
Market venue: Market Hill, Sudbury, CO10 2EA
Bury St Edmunds Farmers Market:
This one, held on The Traverse, continues to go from strength to strength showcasing a wide selection of local food and producers. Look out for freshly baked local bread, Suffolk honey, homemade pies and savouries, delicious cakes and fudge, Suffolk pork and lamb, fresh organic vegetables. There are also vegan snacks, fresh and smoked fish and seafood, doughnuts, sauces and chutneys plus flowers and wreaths.
When is it held? The second Sunday in the month; 10am – 3pm
Market Venue: The Traverse, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1BJ
Colchester Farmers Market
Just over the border in Essex, Colchester farmers market is a relatively newcomer in the SME line-up and one of Justine’s favourites. “We have such a lovely setting on the piazza outside the theatre with the town’s Jumbo water tower looking down on us.”
Over 30 producers regularly line up to fill the venue on Saturdays including local honey from Loveland Honey, delicious cakes and traybakes from Alex’s Artisan Bakery, fudge from Woodlands Bakeaway and brownies from the Essex Bakery. Many of the regulars will be there too including Daymen’s Hill Orchards Apple Juice, Tim and Sophie’s Farm with their range of local meats and fresh milk, organic vegetables from Lauriston Farm and Alderdale Farm, sausages from Totham Bangers, gourmet mushrooms from Mycotek and fresh breads/sourdoughs from Fresh n’ Crunchy, chilli sauces from Suffolk Sauces, dips and sauces from The Little Dip Company and much more.
When is it held? First Saturday of the month – 9.30am – 2pm
The Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, CO1 1PT
Bury St Edmunds, Colchester Farmers Market & Lavenham Farmers Market images all kindly supplied by Suffolk Market Events
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