Jackie white's: Thoburn Fresh Produce Bringing Sunderland's African Community Together
- Godstime David
- Apr 14
- 4 min read
As Sunderland’s African population continues to grow, one local store is rising to meet the demand for culturally familiar food, without the premium prices.
Jackie White’s Market, a historic indoor market in the city centre, has quietly evolved into a hub for international flavours, driven in part by the success of Thoburn’s Fresh Produce.
Traditionally known for its fruit and vegetables,
Thoburn’s has expanded its offering to include African staples such as yams, plantains, okra, dried crayfish, and traditional herbs and spices. The move has been welcomed by many in the African community, who often face limited options and higher costs when sourcing authentic ingredients locally.
"We saw the numbers growing and realised there was a real need for familiar, affordable food,” said business owner, Mathew Thoburn. “In a time where money is tight and people are struggling, we wanted to offer bargain prices that help people feel at home without breaking the bank.”
Despite expanding into African food, Jackie White’s has not abandoned its roots. The store still offers traditional English groceries, catering to the wider Sunderland community. Mr. Thoburn says that balance is intentional.
“We are here to serve everyone,” he said.
“It’s not about choosing one group over another, it is about making sure the people of Sunderland, from all walks of life, have access to good food at good prices. And in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. That might just be exactly what Sunderland needs", Jackie said.
We are here to bring people together. Stocking African produce has brought in new faces, new stories, and a real sense of community", he added.
From fresh yams to Egusi seeds, smoked fish to plantain, Jackie White’s now stocks a wide range of African staples—many of which are slightly expensive elsewhere in the city. One of the store’s bestsellers is a bag of fresh tomatoes, priced at just £3.99, a price that has seen over seven hundred (700) boxes sold in the last three days.
Staff member Paula, who works at the store, has become a familiar face to many African shoppers. She recalls how working at the store has introduced her to a whole new world of culture and cuisine, starting with the language.
“The first Nigerian word I learned was jara,” It means ‘extra’ or a little discount, and I hear it a lot!”.
Paula also shared one of her early mix-ups that has since become a running joke among regulars.
“When I first heard the word garri, I thought it was a customer’s name. So I said, ‘Nice to meet you, Garri—I’m Paula.’ Then someone explained that garri is actually a staple Nigerian food made from cassava. I had a good laugh about that one!”
Now, Paula says she has become more familiar with popular ingredients like plantains, egusi, and stockfish, and enjoys helping customers find what they need.
“It’s been a learning experience, but I love it. Every day I pick up something new. I’ve learned so much about Nigerian culture,” she said. I even tried jollof rice for the first time—delicious but spicy! Now I know why it’s such a big deal.
A Nigerian staff member, who prefers to be identified as Sam, said: “It is lovely to see how people from different backgrounds come together here.” ,Customers speak different languages, share recipes, recommend ingredients, it’s like a little community centre disguised as a shop.”
“Working here feels like home. Even the customers feel the impact. For a lot of people, especially those who are new to Sunderland, just being able to walk into a store and find fresh ugwu (pumpkin leave), waterleaves, ewedu , dried fish, or yam brings comfort. It’s a way to stay connected to where they come from.”
I always come here first because you just can’t get these kinds of prices anywhere else,” said Olasupomalomo, a regular Nigerian shopper. “But more than that, it’s the atmosphere. It’s welcoming. You see your people, hear your language, and leave with everything you need.”
I have been shopping here for over a year now and i can say that i do not keep coming back because of the bargains, it is for quality as well.
With over 700 members in a dedicated WhatsApp group, customers stay connected with restock updates, product requests, and even local community news. What started as a business decision has become something far more valuable, a shared space of culture, care, and connection.
Jacky Whites Market is a busy traditional indoor market offering a huge range of products and services. The market is fully accessible and is located within the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland.
Jacky Whites Market is open from Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.
According to the 2021 Census, over 1,200 Nigerian-born residents now call Sunderland home, reflecting the city’s changing face and the increasing demand for culturally relevant, affordable food options.
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