As five Summer Big Markets arrive across Sussex this June, Sussex Exclusive caught up with the business reconnecting communities with local food, local producers and the landscape that sustains us.
If you’ve spent any time travelling around Sussex in recent years, chances are you’ve spotted one of The Sussex Peasant’s distinctive converted horseboxes parked in a village square, outside a pub or at a local market. What began with a £1,500 horsebox and a simple idea has grown into one of Sussex’s most recognisable champions of local food.
This June, The Sussex Peasant returns with five Summer Big Markets across Sussex, bringing together some of the county’s farmers, growers, bakers, cheesemakers and artisan food producers. But while the markets provide an excellent opportunity to stock up on seasonal produce, they are also part of a much bigger story about food, community and our connection to the Sussex landscape.
Cue the horsebox and a simple idea
Founder Ed Johnstone grew up in the Sussex countryside surrounded by farmers, fresh produce and a close connection to the land. After studying Philosophy and Theology, working in offices and even playing rugby in Argentina, he eventually found his way back to what had always fascinated him most: food. While managing pubs and restaurants, Ed became increasingly frustrated by how difficult it was to source produce with complete transparency while also supporting local producers. Consumers wanted to buy local. Farmers deserved a fair return. Yet somewhere between field and plate, those connections were often being lost.
Then came the horsebox
Supported by a local farmer, Ed purchased a second-hand horse trailer for £1,500. Gardening during the day and working on the vehicle at night, he transformed it into the first Sussex Peasant mobile farm shop. The idea was refreshingly simple: take food directly from Sussex farms to Sussex communities.
Today, that same philosophy remains at the heart of the business. The supply chain is deliberately short and transparent: from a Sussex farm, to a Sussex Peasant truck, to your table. Better still, sixty-five pence in every pound spent goes directly back to farmers and producers, helping to ensure more value remains within the local food economy.
But the benefits extend far beyond economics
Food is part of the story of a place. The lamb grazing on the South Downs, vegetables grown in Sussex soil, artisan cheeses made from local dairy herds and bread baked using regional ingredients all reflect the landscape, skills and traditions that have shaped the county for generations.
When we buy directly from local producers, we are not simply purchasing food. We are supporting farms, families and businesses that help define the character of Sussex itself.
There is also something deeply human about meeting the people behind what we eat. Conversations with farmers, growers and makers create a sense of trust and understanding that can be difficult to find in modern food systems. They remind us that food does not begin on a supermarket shelf; it begins in fields, orchards, dairies and kitchens, often just a few miles from our homes.
The Sussex Peasant’s Summer Big Markets are designed to foster exactly those connections. Visitors can browse farm-fresh seasonal vegetables, pasture-raised meats, artisan breads, cheeses, preserves, flowers and a host of carefully sourced local produce while meeting the people responsible for creating it. Whether you’re looking for ingredients for a summer feast, a few artisan treats or simply a pleasant day out, the markets offer a chance to experience the best of Sussex food and farming in one place.
For Ed, this is about far more than convenience. “Summer is when Sussex really comes alive through food,” he says. “These markets give people the chance to meet the producers, understand where their food comes from and reconnect with the seasons. Supporting local farmers isn’t simply about buying local – it’s about building a food system that is healthier, fairer and more resilient for everyone.”
As interest in seasonal produce, sustainability and local supply chains continues to grow, The Sussex Peasant is proving that food can still bring communities together. Its Summer Big Markets are not simply places to shop. They are places to meet, learn, connect and celebrate the remarkable food being produced right here in Sussex.
Summer Big Markets 2026
So, for a real taste of Sussex this summer, make sure you don’t miss the following markets:
19 June, 9am–2pm
Rose & Crown, Cuckfield, RH17 5BS
20 June, 9am–3pm
Queen’s Park, Brighton, BN2 0GF
25 June, 9am–2pm
The Bull, Ditchling, BN6 8TA
26 June, 9am–4pm
St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove, BN3 1PR
27 June, 9am–3pm
Preston Park, Brighton, BN1 6HG
Admission is free. For further information and to reserve your place, visit The Sussex Peasant website.
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