Market gardener supplying restaurants and shops
Grow high-value veg, salad and herbs on a few acres for local chefs, farm shops and markets.
- £8k-35k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
1,760 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 01130 “Growing of vegetables and melons, roots and tubers”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A full-time small-scale vegetable farm using polytunnels and field beds to supply local restaurants, independent shops and farmers' markets with fresh produce on a regular schedule.
Your first three steps
- Visit local restaurants and farm shops to find out which crops they struggle to source and what they would pay
- Secure land on a tenancy or farm share arrangement and cost a starter set-up of tools, a polytunnel and irrigation
- Do a placement or short course with an established market garden or organic grower to learn commercial methods
Who pays
Restaurants, cafes, farm shops, greengrocers and shoppers at farmers' markets.
How it makes money
Wholesale sales to trade customers at agreed prices, plus higher-margin retail sales at markets. Specialist crops such as salad leaves, herbs and unusual varieties tend to suit chefs.
Skills that help
- Commercial-scale crop planning and succession sowing
- Selling and building relationships with chefs and shop buyers
- Basic machinery, irrigation and polytunnel skills
Watch out for
- Check the land tenancy length so you are not investing in infrastructure on a short agreement
- Check whether your local council requires planning permission for polytunnels or sheds
- Register as a food business with your local council if required, and check hygiene and traceability expectations
- Check insurance for public liability, product liability and equipment
- Income is seasonal and weather dependent, so plan cash flow for the winter months
- Organic labelling needs certification, so avoid using the word without checking
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: market gardener supplying restaurants and shops
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a market garden?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on land, polytunnels, irrigation and equipment. Check the land tenancy length so you are not investing in infrastructure on a short agreement.
What rules apply to supplying restaurants and shops with produce?
Check whether your council requires planning permission for polytunnels or sheds. Also check if you must register as a food business, hygiene and traceability expectations, insurance cover, and organic certification before using that word on labels.
How much can a market gardener earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £6,000, depending on acreage, crops and customers. Income is seasonal and weather dependent, so plan cash flow for winter. The idea assumes at least about 35 hours a week.
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