As the cost of living continues to rise, many individuals, particularly those on lower incomes with often less nutritious diets, face increasing challenges in affording healthy food options. Despite this, households across the UK continue to discard a startling amount of food, with an estimated 68 kilograms of fruits and vegetables wasted per year.
The issue of food waste not only impacts household budgets but also poses environmental concerns. Globally, a staggering 1.3 billion tonnes of food go to waste annually, contributing approximately 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions arise from food waste at various stages in the food supply chain, from production to decomposition.
However, recent research has unveiled an encouraging trend among individuals who cultivate their own food in gardens and allotments. These individuals waste an average of just 3.4 kilograms of fruits and vegetables per year, a remarkable 95% less than the UK average. These households have adopted various practices to minimize food waste, including preserving surplus produce or sharing it with others.
The resurgence of interest in homegrown produce in gardens, community gardens, and allotments in the UK and other regions has been noteworthy in recent years. However, the supply of allotments falls short of the increasing demand.
In light of this, there is potential for allocating more land for household fruit and vegetable production, which could significantly enhance the availability of fresh produce for urban residents. Research has indicated that using a mere 10% of the available space in the English city of Sheffield for food cultivation could supply enough fruits and vegetables to meet the needs of 15% of the city’s population. Furthermore, a broader embrace of homegrown food could contribute to reducing overall food waste, aligning with both financial prudence and sustainability goals.
