St James’ Wholesale market in Bradford is an important public infrastructure, supporting over 30 small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s) that supply fresh fruit and vegetables to grocery shops and food outlets across West Yorkshire. However, there is little understanding of the role that it plays within the regional food system, what percentage of the food traded there is grown locally and what the challenges are to source more local food.
This project will investigate the impact and potential that the St James’ Wholesale market in Bradford has in strengthening the regional food system in West Yorkshire. It is a new collaboration between the University of Leeds, Bradford Council, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds Foodwise to develop research and policy-led evidence that can support a more sustainable regional food system.
The project has three parts. Firstly, the collection of data from market tenants and manager to map the flow of food through the wholesale market. Next, conducting matchmaking workshops between regional growers, retailers and public authorities to explore challenges and opportunities to strengthen the regional food system. Lastly, a review of regional policy strategies, interviews with policy makers and wider literature.
This project is funded through the 2024–2025 Research England Policy Support Fund.
Resources
- Watch ‘St James’ Wholesale market’s impact and potential in the West Yorkshire food economy’ project video on YouTube
- For World Food Day 2024, Sara shared more about the project and other relevant research in a blog: ‘The right to food: how traditional markets support local food systems’.
Contacts
Partners
- Bradford Council
- The West Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Leeds Foodwise