New Covent Garden Market’s 50th Anniversary Celebrated with Produce Delivery to London Zoo Animals

Produce vendors commemorated the New Covent Garden Market’s 50th anniversary by delivering a portion of their goods to their usual clients: the animals residing at London Zoo. Gorillas Alika, Effie, and baby Venus, along with Amara the pygmy hippo, consumed a morning meal of vegetables and greens supplied by a vendor from the south London market. The market’s 175 enterprises supply fresh produce to numerous retail and hospitality establishments, such as Harrods, Claridge’s, and Michelin-starred restaurants, among others. In observance of this significant anniversary, wholesalers additionally recounted their experiences and recollections of the market throughout its history. Initially situated at Covent Garden in central London, the location from which the market derived its name, it subsequently moved and commenced operations officially at the 35-acre Nine Elms site in 1974. The site was ceremonially inaugurated by the late Queen Elizabeth II during the subsequent year. Currently, the wholesale traders distribute fruit, vegetables, and flowers year-round, generally operating during nighttime hours, generating an annual turnover approaching £900m. Gary Marshall, who owns Bevington Salads and chairs the New Covent Garden Tenants’ Association, stated that he has been employed at the market for almost 45 years, observing transformations across the decades, possessing “happy memories of the market stretching all the way back to being a teenager”. He remarked, “I followed my father and grandfather into the market trade and like other wholesalers here, I’m proud to say that my business is being passed on through the generations.” “New Covent Garden Market is more than just a market. We’re the lifeblood of the supply chain in London and the south east of England.” Wanda Goldwag, the chair of New Covent Garden Market Authority, commented: “Providing the freshest produce to our vibrant city is so much more than a job for our wholesalers, it’s their passion and their livelihood and for many of them, it has been a baton to pass on through generations.” She further indicated that the authority aims to anticipate the forthcoming 50 years and address new challenges, specifically “from sustainability to evolving customer demands”, while emphasizing that its “commitment to nurturing the market and supporting the communities it serves has never been stronger”. The best of BBC Radio London is available on Sounds, and BBC London can be followed on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external sites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.