The best: Manchester farmers markets and organic groceries where you can shop local

Altrincham Market may be famous for its bustling indoor food hall featuring a variety of well-loved food traders – but every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 8am – 3pm, visitors can pick up locally sourced goods at their covered market. Fresh fruit and vegetables, locally sourced eggs, butter, milk, cheese and meat, and a variety of freshly baked loaves are all available – alongside a mixture of gift stalls selling alcoholic drinks from locals like Reserve Wines.

You really can find everything in the Northern Quarter – including a variety of locally sourced fruit, vegetables and supplies like vegan cheese, loose leaf teas and ethically sourced soap. Just head to McCall’s Organics; since 2014 this family-run food stall been providing Manchester locals with a range of healthy produce from its cosy trading unit on Church Street opposite the Arndale shopping centre’s High Street entrance. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve even been providing customers with deliverable food boxes that can be ordered directly via their website.

One of Manchester’s newest ethical groceries, Bernie’s in Heaton Moor is the brainchild of Provisions & Grocery masterminds Will France and Bethan Roberts and serves up a small selection of fruit, vegetables and tasty bakes. With an emphasis on stocking organic produce, customers will find the usual cupboard supplies alongside a range of sandwiches, cheeses, wines and sourdoughs. What’s more, they’re also offering deliverable food boxes featuring items cherry-picked by the store’s owners.

The fair prices and wide array of options found at Unicorn Grocery have helped this Chortlon favourite take home the ‘Best Food Retailer’ prize at the BBC Food and Farming Awards twice – so it goes without saying that it’s a popular store among Manchester’s organic food and produce fans. In addition to the usual fruit, vegetables, grains and pulses, you’ll also find an in-store deli dishing up hot soups, salads and hot meals that can be enjoyed to-go. They’ve even got a price comparison promise to help keep your costs low whilst shopping local.

Levenshulme Market is open most Saturdays (be sure to check their website for exact COVID opening dates) and invites a variety of local makers, street food vendors and creatives into the railway carpark by Levenshulme train station. While it’s a great spot to grab some delicious grub, indulgent cakes and handmade items made by Manchester-based creatives, its also a popular place to stock up on your weekly shop thanks to its fruit and vegetable stalls. Rolling with the COVID-cautious times, they’ve also recently unveiled a Shop & Go service to ensure customer safety.

We know, we know… the Arndale probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when thought turns to finding organic produce – but the Market near the back of the venue is an unexpected foodie haven amid this massive retail outlet. Fruit and vegetable stall Strawberry Garden has everything you could possibly want when it comes to seasonal green-goods, while the venue’s in-house fish market is one of the best places for seafood in the city centre. Definitely worth a visit.

Throw a stone in the Northern Quarter and you’ll find a coffee shop or cool brunch spot – but finding a decent butchers? Not so easy. Thankfully, The Butcher’s Quarter is here to change that. This family-run food retailer on Tib Street prioritises work with like-minded family-run farms when it comes to sourcing its meat, poultry, cheese, eggs and milk, and also features some quirky takes on classic items – like coffee-infused bacon rashers. A selection of wines are also available – and they’re local too – provided by Altrincham’s Reserve Wines.