Among the piles of vegetables and artisan chutneys at markets there’s something even more exciting appearing in bigger and bigger numbers.
Vegan bakery stalls!
Across the UK, from Leeds to Bristol and from Glasgow to Brighton, talented plant-based bakers are setting up tables laden with doughnuts, cookies, and pastries that could make anyone weak at the knees. It’s an incredible movement that deserves celebrating.
Read more below.
What makes it all the more impressive is that these bakers aren’t operating from shiny shopfronts with steady footfall. They’re hauling gazebos, folding tables, and boxes of delicate pastries into vans before sunrise. They’re checking weather forecasts like sailors, praying the wind doesn’t send their signage flying, or the rain doesn’t soak their brownies. Every trading day is a gamble. Will the crowd be there, will the card reader work, will there be enough pastries or far too many?
Running a market stall is not easy. You need stamina and a strong back. The hours are long and the costs can creep up in quiet ways. You’re dependent on the right pitch, a decent spot, and loyal customers who know where to find you each week. You’re a baker, a delivery driver, a marketer, a weather forecaster, and a customer service rep all rolled into one. It’s small business life turned up to eleven.
But despite all that, these bakers keep showing up. They bring joy to their local communities and show that vegan baking doesn’t have to be second best. In fact, it can be the highlight of the market.
To anyone at home dreaming of doing the same, don’t let the hurdles scare you off. Start small, test recipes, find your people. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll also have moments that remind you exactly why you started.
Vegan baking at the market is a movement built on early mornings, tough weather endurance, and a whole lot of heart.
Here are a few of my favourite independent vegan baking companies:
Teatime Collective in Manchester
Take a Bite and Smile in London
Kegarmo in London
Vegan Sweet Tooth based near Croydon but trading all over
The May Bakery based in Telford but trading all over
Cocolico in Reading
Please drop a note in the comments to tell me about your favourites.
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