Transcript: Understanding the sustainability practices of traditional food markets in Leeds

Transcript for the video embedded on the Urban Food Systems page.

[A title says: Understanding the sustainability practices of traditional food markets in Leeds]

[A caption says: Beth Cloughton, Research Assistant]

Beth: Our project investigating the carbon footprint of traditional retail markets aims to address data scarcity regarding traditional markets potential for environmental sustainability. Using interviews, surveys, field notes, and the carbon calculator developed by the Consumer Data Research Centre, we explored the environmental impact of Leeds Kirkgate Market. 

[Image of a crowd of people standing at stalls of fruit and vegetables at an outdoor market. Image of an indoor market stall with shelves full of food in packets and tins.]

Our study of Kirkgate found that many traders already practice environmentally sustainable business strategies by avoiding in minimizing waste sourcing higher welfare products and supporting local circular economies. Although some products were sourced internationally food miles from Global items only represent a small portion of the overall carbon output of the food system 

[Image of a box of peanuts with a roll of plastic bags on top for people to fill up how much they would like to buy. Image of boxes of bananas, coconuts and dragon fruit.]

Kirkgate plays a crucial role in providing culturally important fresh and affordable foods and is a place showcasing the diversity of Yorkshire's food culture and Leeds’ traders and consumers. 

[Image of a box of red chillis. Image of the inside aisle of Kirkgate Market with the shops linings a busy walkway. Shops such as bakers, halal butchers, and two seafood stalls line the path.]

We hope this research highlights Kirkgate Market’s existing sustainability efforts, which are often not framed in environmental terms and promotes it as a hub for local identity and both sustainable and affordable consumption.