Bradford became the national focus of the fresh produce sector when experts from the industry visited the citys thriving wholesale market.
Thirty members of the Fresh Produce Consortium, including some of the country’s top food importers and growers, held a meeting at St James Wholesale Market, in Essex Street, off the A650 Wakefield Road.
The meeting was set up yesterday to celebrate the fully-occupied market’s continuing success and to allow Consortium members to marvel over its wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables, exotic produce and flowers.
Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “The exotic range of produce available in this market is just fantastic, helped by the cultural position of Bradford.”
Looking in admiration at the hustle and bustle of St James market, Mr Jenney said: “Bradford should realise that this is one of only 33 markets of this type in the UK. They have got something very special here.”
Simon Kershaw, chairman of St James Market Tenants’ Association and managing director of Burbank Fresh Produce, said: “There are a lot of people in Bradford that don’t even know there’s a wholesale market here.
“There are a lot of cities that don’t have one anymore.”
Members of the consortium were given a tour of the market and talked to wholesalers, including Ebrahim Taladia, of Raja & Co, who sells exotic food from north and west Africa.
Picking up a box of produce, Mr Taladia said: “These are garden eggs, otherwise known as white aubergines. They came out of the ground in Ghana on Monday and are on sale here today.”
Councillor David Green, the Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “We are incredibly proud of all our markets in Bradford and the district and the quality of fresh produce available.”
Articles taken form the Telegraph & Argus
