Protein sources beyond meat: a local guide

Shops across Hackney have seen steady demand for pulses and plant proteins this summer, with customers filling baskets at stalls that open before 9am on weekends.

The trend reflects wider interest in varied protein intake among residents who already cycle to London Fields or swim at the West Reservoir Centre. People want options that fit busy schedules and local supply chains rather than imported meat substitutes.

Where to shop in the borough

Broadway Market on Saturdays offers sacks of dried chickpeas and red lentils from two regular stallholders who set up near the canal end. Further north, Ridley Road Market stocks fresh tofu blocks and tubs of hummus made on site by a Turkish deli that opens at 7am most weekdays. Both locations sit within a short walk of Hackney Central station, so residents combine the trip with other errands.

The Hackney Food Partnership runs drop-in sessions at the Pembury Community Centre on Tuesdays where volunteers weigh out 500g portions of mixed beans for £1.50. These sessions started in March 2025 and continue through the summer months.

Daily targets and simple swaps

The NHS states that adults require 0.75g of protein per kilogram of body weight each day. A 70kg person therefore needs around 52g, an amount easily reached with 200g of cooked lentils plus a portion of Greek-style yogurt or a handful of seeds. Prices at Ridley Road have held steady at £1.20 per kilogram for dried chickpeas through the first half of 2026, according to stall records shared with the market office.

Try adding a scoop of chickpea flour to pancake batter for breakfast or stirring white beans into the tomato sauce that simmers at many Hackney kitchens. Stock up mid-week at either market, then portion and freeze what will not be used within three days to keep meals varied without extra shopping trips.