After the overindulgence of the Christmas season, fruit and vegetables should be at the top of everyone's shopping list for 2013. Fresh fruit and vegetables have the highest health benefits and the lowest environmental impact and buying fresh, means buying local. The easiest way, is to buy it straight from the producers themselves, cutting out the middle men. There are delivery box schemes, local food fairs, on line producers, shops offering home delivery, country markets and farm shops.
To combat poor diets and rising obesity levels, we need to encourage everyone to eat 5 A DAY and to enjoy a wide variety of affordable quality "fresh produce". On average, the UK consumer only eats 2.5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
Due to our climate, the UK imports around 60% of our fruit and vegetables, providing consumers with produce outside of the UK growing season. Defra's definition of "Locally in Season" is food that is grown outdoors, during the natural growing/production period, for the country or region where it is produced. This applies to seasonal food produced both in the UK and overseas. It should also mean, be consumed locally to where it is grown. An increase in domestic production of fresh produce is essential to influence the UK Government's policy for sustainable food, as set out by Food 2030. UK growers have an opportunity to increase the sustainable production of indigenous crops, which are suited to our climate.
Reports confirm that imported fresh produce and greenhouse vegetables, still have a far lower ecological footprint that we imagine though, in comparison with other food sectors. The fresh produce industry is also putting measures in place to reduce excess packaging, increase recycling and reducing food waste.
The Eat in Colour Campaign and the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme, has helped increase the consumption of fresh produce and provided tips and advice for people of all ages to enjoy eating fresh fruit and vegetables, as part of a healthy diet. However, the Government needs to help consumers make ethical choices on sustainable healthy food and to encourage greater consumption of fresh produce.
Health, Wealth and Happiness to all for 2013!
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