Local Produce and Food Markets in Bognor Regis
Sussex food, farmers markets and local suppliers
The Bognor Regis area benefits from its position on the West Sussex coastal plain, one of the most productive agricultural areas in southern England. The flat, fertile land between the South Downs and the sea has been farmed for centuries, and the mild climate and long sunshine hours make it particularly good for growing salads, soft fruit and vegetables. This means that genuinely local produce is available to anyone who looks for it.
Farmers markets visit the area periodically, offering direct sales from local producers. These markets typically feature Sussex beef and lamb, free-range eggs, artisan cheeses, bread, cakes, preserves and seasonal vegetables. The stallholders are often the farmers and producers themselves, and they can tell you exactly where your food comes from and how it was produced. This is the opposite of the anonymous supermarket supply chain, and many residents value the connection it provides with the land around them.
The Chichester area, just a few miles to the north, has a strong food economy. Goodwood Estate produces organic beef and lamb. The Weald and Downland area has several small-scale producers making cheese, charcuterie and preserves. The Sussex wine industry has grown enormously, with vineyards on the chalky South Downs slopes producing sparkling wines that have won international awards. Nyetimber, one of the most famous English sparkling wine producers, takes its name from the area between Aldwick and Pagham.
Fish is the obvious local speciality. The Selsey fishing fleet still operates from the coast a few miles to the south, landing crab, lobster, sole and other species that find their way into the better restaurants and fish shops in the area. Bognor itself has had a fishing tradition, though it is much diminished from earlier centuries. The lobster pots and small boats that still operate from the beach are a reminder of a time when fishing was central to the town's economy.
The supermarkets in the area stock some local products, particularly in their regional ranges, but the farm shops and independent food shops offer a wider and more interesting selection. Several farm shops within driving distance of Bognor sell seasonal produce, local meat and Sussex dairy products alongside imported specialities. These are not cheap, but the quality is typically very good.
The allotment tradition is strong in Bognor and the surrounding area. Growing your own vegetables and fruit is popular, and allotment sites across the town have long waiting lists. The climate is favourable, with more sunshine hours than almost anywhere else in the country, and the soil on the coastal plain is productive. Tomatoes, runner beans, courgettes and soft fruit all do well, and many allotment holders also keep chickens for eggs.
Sussex has a strong tradition of food and drink that connects the landscape to the table. From the Downs lamb to the coastal crab, from the vineyard sparkling wine to the allotment tomatoes, the area around Bognor produces food that is worth seeking out and celebrating.
The combination of fertile agricultural land, a productive coastline and a growing network of food producers makes the Bognor area richer in local food than many residents realise. The challenge is connecting the produce with the consumer, and the farmers markets, farm shops and independent food retailers in the area play a crucial role in making that connection possible.