A Sussex food business is hosting a series of autumn markets next month.

The Sussex Peasant return this October with the Big Autumn Market, bringing the abundance of the Sussex autumn harvest directly into local communities across the county.

Taking place in Kemptown, Hassocks, Haywards Heath, Hove and Preston Park, the Big Autumn Markets will bring together Sussex farmers, growers, bakers and independent food producers at a time of year when local fields, farms and orchards are at their most abundant.

Visitors can shop for the ingredients of an autumn kitchen directly from the people who grow, rear and make them – from seasonal vegetables and orchard fruit to pasture-raised meat, artisan bread, Sussex cheeses, preserves and locally made pantry staples.

More than simply a farmers’ market, The Sussex Peasant’s Big Markets are designed to make buying locally part of everyday life, bringing producers closer to their customers and giving communities a convenient way to put more Sussex food on the weekly table.

The Big Autumn Market dates:

9 October, 9am-4pm — Kemptown, Brighton St. George's Church

10 October, 9am-2pm — The Thatched Inn, Hassocks

15 October, 9am-2pm — The Miller & Carter, Haywards Heath

16 October, 9am-4pm — St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove

17 October, 9am-3pm — Preston Park, The Ride, Brighton

The Sussex Peasant Big Markets bring together some of the county’s farmers, growers and food artisans, giving customers the opportunity to meet the people behind their food and discover more about how and where it has been produced.

Working under the motto of ‘local food, farmed well’, The Sussex Peasant was founded by Ed Johnstone, who believes good food shouldn’t have to travel far.

Ed’s business creates a direct line from Sussex farms to the people who live here, through a fleet of mobile farm shops travelling across the county every week.

Ed said: “Autumn is one of the best times to eat locally in Sussex, with so much coming from our farms, orchards and growers. Every time we choose to buy from a local farmer or producer, we help keep that farm viable and strengthen the food system around us. We want buying locally to become a normal part of the weekly shop.”

The Sussex Peasant runs weekly mobile farm shops across Brighton, Hove, Danehill, Ditchling, Haywards Heath and Cuckfield, alongside larger seasonal producer markets throughout the year. Click & Collect is also available.

For market dates, locations and times, visit The Sussex Peasant website or sign up to the newsletter.