Food and drink
Follow the links above to find the best food and drink our county has to offer, or read on and discover how to eat locally and seasonally.
Producers and retailers of great local food
- Sussex Food Finder – a comprehensive and up to date database of specialist restaurants and suppliers, from farm shops to bakers. Includes prepared foods such as pie makers, home made ready meals to take home and caterers.
- Eat Sussex magazine – covering the whole of Sussex. Download the current issue, and search for seasonal recipes using great local produce.
- Veg Boxes – get locally produced seasonal fruit and veg delivered direct to your home. This site includes how to choose the right box for you and lists local schemes by county.
- Free Range Review – search by postcode and read reviews of local food and drink producers and suppliers, from veg boxes and farm shops to pubs and restaurants.
- Middle Farm – home of the National Collection of Cider and Perry.
Eat seasonally
Thanks to this country’s climate, we enjoy a wide variety of ever-changing seasonal produce. Reduce your food miles by buying locally sourced food appropriate to the time of year, rather than what the supermarkets have flown from around the world.
How to grow your own
You don’t need a large garden to grow your own fruit and veg – use grow bags or pots on a patio, or a window box if you live in a flat. Herbs are particularly quick and easy, and will flourish on a sunny window sill indoors.
Apply for an allotment
If you don’t have much outside space but want to grow your own on a larger scale, an allotment may be the answer. Allotments are provided by either your local borough or district council, or your town or parish council.
Use the links below to find out what’s available near you:
If you’re new to allotment gardening, these sites might help you:
- Allotment Growing – general help and advice for allotment holders, plus month by month guides to what you should be doing on your plot. Also forums for sharing tips and views.
- The Allotment Garden – articles and tips, plus allotment listings.
Pick your own
If you don’t have green fingers, or just don’t fancy getting your hands (too) dirty, why not pick your own fruit and veg instead.
These local farms all have a variety of produce on offer:
