Local food, farmed well with Ed Johnstone: Why local food matters

Ed Johnstone founder of The Sussex Peasant

For the past few years I’ve spent my week travelling around Sussex, collecting food from local farms and supplying it in our converted horseboxes directly to local areas through our network of The Sussex Peasant weekly markets.

I started The Sussex Peasant because I felt there was a growing distance between us and the food we eat. Most people want to support local farmers, eat with the seasons and understand where their food comes from, but lives are busy so those good intentions can only become everyday habits when buying locally is convenient.

That is what we try to make possible. Instead of food passing through a long chain of wholesalers, distribution centres and supermarket depots, we collect directly from Sussex farmers and producers and have it on our trucks for people to buy within a day or two.

The journey is short, the food is healthy and fresh, and most of the money spent goes to the people who grew, reared or made it. The beauty of working closely with our producers is we know exactly how the food is produced. Our motto says it simply: Local Food. Farmed Well. 

The Sussex Peasant farmers market at The Bull in Ditchling

At a time when farming faces rising costs and unpredictable weather, local supply chains help producers remain viable and communities better connected.

Buying locally doesn’t mean changing everything overnight. Start with something you buy every week: eggs, bread, milk, vegetables or meat. Find out who produced it and where. Choose what is plentiful rather than beginning with a rigid shopping list. 

The brilliant Sussex Peasant team and I are always happy to answer questions and chat with customers at our markets. We can share knowledge and inspiration about everything on the trucks, as well as the people behind the food. We love getting to know our customers and seeing the sense of community that grows around each market.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing some of our producers, explore the food you’ll find on the trucks and exploring simple ways to eat well. On our social media channels @thesussexpeasant, I also regularly post recipe ideas using the produce available that week, so look out for inspiration and enjoy the culinary adventure.

Local food doesn’t need to be a luxury or a passing trend. With a little organisation it can become an everyday way of eating - and I’m here to help you get there.

To find a weekly Sussex Peasant farmers market close to you in Brighton, Hove, Ditchling, Lewes, Newick, Danehill or Cuckfield visit www.thesussexpeasant.co.uk.