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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Business
Emma Gill

'I ordered a £25 box from Bury Market and thought it was better than Tesco'

Whether you live in Bury or not, you'll have no doubt heard of its world famous market.

If you don't live anywhere near the place, however, chances are it's not somewhere that would feature in your weekly shop.

But for some that's all changed - since Pete's Fruit and Veg stall started delivering, right across Greater Manchester, free of charge.

It started selling £25 boxes to customers towards the end of the pandemic and now - with customers looking for alternative ways to shop amid the cost of living crisis - the company shifts around 100 every single week.

Read more: 'Bye bye Tesco' - Shoppers fume as supermarket makes big change to home deliveries

Pete Whelan Jr at his stall on Bury Market (Manchester Evening News)

Having heard how popular they've become, with customers praising both the quantity and quality of stock, I decided to get one on order.

The process couldn't be simpler. You can just message the Facebook page or send a text message to book a delivery and specific areas of Greater Manchester are covered on different days.

My patch, in Wigan, is covered on Tuesdays and I was told it would be coming between 9.30am and noon, which it did.

You get a selection of fruit and veg, which changes each month and it all comes from Manchester's Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, where Pete Whelan Jr, who took over the stall from dad Pete Snr, collects his stock daily at 3am. A couple of Cheshire farmers supply him with stock too.

My box was brimming with bananas, blueberries, pineapple, tomatoes, potatoes - you name it - there's been none of the shortages seen by the supermarkets.

My £25 box (Manchester Family/MEN)

The plums, pineapple and spring cabbage are probably the biggest and freshest I've ever seen. And, in my opinion, all of it more impressive than the fruit and veg I'd typically buy from Tesco, or any other supermarket for that matter.

It's that quality and freshness that Pete reckons keeps his customers coming back for more.

"People are always telling us how long it lasts," he said. "I'd say the majority of customers get a box every two weeks as they have plenty to last then.

"I keep it simple with a set box, but I don't mind swapping the odd item if there's something somebody really doesn't want."

Having previously worked in a supermarket, Pete, who lives in Chadderton, Oldham, says he knows only too well how fresh the stock is compared to store bought.

Pete’s Fruit and Veg stall on Bury Market (Manchester Evening News)

"They have it in cold storage for a while, so when you get it, it might look like it's fresh, but it's likely to have been in the back for three or four weeks," he said.

"I get it from the market where it's all just come in. Obviously at certain times of the year it comes from abroad, but this time of year now is brilliant as we start getting all the English stock, the tomatoes and salad and Cornish potatoes.

"There are different suppliers and I could buy my stock at a fraction of the price, but I go for the highest standard you can get. That's what customers like."

As well as the home delivery business, which Pete's sisters Vicky Griffiths and Lucy Whelan have helped to build up, he also has the stall on Bury Market - next to the café and facing the rug stall - which opens Wednesday to Saturday, closing at 2pm on Thursdays.

Pete’s Fruit and Veg stall, Bury Market (Manchester Evening News)

It's been there around 15 years since moving from its original location at Longsight Market.

"It's become so popular now," said the 34-year-old, who's expecting his first child in May and hoping for a baby boy to carry on the business name.

"During Covid the market shut and we had nothing. We had to move everything into my mum's house. For a while we were just giving stock away, as we had nowhere to put it and then eventually we just started selling some boxes and it's gone from there.

"It's mainly been built up by word of mouth and we've worked with some Slimming World reps who advertise the deliveries. If you compare our boxes with other places that do something similar, you're getting a lot more for your money.

"It's crazy how we've gone from having a small stall to now delivering right around the M60."

Customers can order via Facebook or by texting 07548 223632.

The contents of my £25 box (Manchester Family/MEN)

Full contents of my March box

  • Lincolnshire Maris Piper potatoes
  • Locally grown brown onions
  • New season spring cabbage
  • Locally grown red onion
  • Crispy broccoli
  • Locally grown carrots
  • Locally grown parsnips
  • USA sweet potatoes
  • Nardacotts (posh tangerines)
  • Blueberries
  • Red plums
  • Extra large pineapple
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Locally grown flat lettuce
  • Lemon and lime
  • Spring onions
  • Cucumber
  • Tomatoes
  • Red pepper

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