Birmingham farmers markets opened this week with crates of strawberries selling at £3.20 per punnet and bundles of fresh courgettes priced at £1.80 each.
The timing matters because July marks the height of the UK growing season, when local produce reaches maximum flavour and nutrient density before autumn crops take over.
Birmingham City Council recorded 2,400 visitors across these two sites during the first week of July 2025, up 12 per cent from the same period the prior year. Average spend per shopper reached £11.40, according to the council's market report released in March 2026.
Markets worth the trip
At the Custard Factory site, look for the stall run by a farm near Lichfield that brings mixed heritage tomatoes and bunches of basil. Kings Heath vendors stock raspberries picked the previous evening and bags of new potatoes from plots near Tamworth. Both locations accept cash and contactless payments, and parking on adjacent streets costs £1.50 for two hours.
Additional options include the Sunday market at Cannon Hill Park, which opens at 10am and features honey from apiaries in Sutton Coldfield. Shoppers can combine a market visit with a walk through the park's rose garden before heading home.
Practical steps for this weekend
Arrive early to secure the best berries and leafy greens, which sell out by midday on busy days. Bring a reusable bag and a cool box if purchasing soft fruit that needs chilling within an hour. Check each market's social media feed the night before for any last-minute changes due to weather.
Residents seeking further guidance on storage or recipe ideas can contact the Birmingham Food Network, which runs free workshops at the Library of Birmingham on the third Wednesday of each month.