Leeds Farmers Markets Deliver Peak July Produce From Local Growers

Leeds markets recorded their strongest weekend sales of the year last Saturday with vendors shifting more than 1,200 punnets of strawberries before midday at Kirkgate Market.

The timing aligns with the height of the local growing season when short supply chains cut food miles and deliver produce picked within 48 hours of sale. Wellness groups across the city have noted higher footfall at markets since the start of June as residents seek affordable ways to meet daily fruit and vegetable targets without relying on supermarket imports.

Kirkgate Market on Vicar Lane opens daily and hosts a dedicated produce hall where 14 growers set up stalls each Thursday through Sunday. Further north, the weekly market at Chapel Allerton on Sunday mornings draws traders from farms around Wetherby who bring peas, broad beans and courgettes still cool from the field. Both locations sit within a short bus ride of the city centre and accept contactless payments at every stall.

July produce to prioritise

Strawberries from farms near Otley sell at £3.20 for a 500 g punnet while new potatoes from the same growers cost 85 p per kilogram. Sugar snap peas appear at £2.40 for 250 g and early raspberries fetch £4.50 for a 250 g punnet. These prices remain below supermarket averages for equivalent imported lines and fluctuate only when heavy rain hits the Vale of York.

Planning a visit

Arrive before 10 am on market days to secure the freshest stock and to speak directly with growers about storage tips. Bring a reusable bag and a cool bag for soft fruit. Those new to seasonal shopping can start with a single recipe each week such as pea and mint soup or strawberry and yogurt bowls to use the purchases before they soften.