A new Bridging the Gap report from Sustain, the alliance of organisations that backs better food and farming, concluded that a small increase in support for organic fruit and vegetables could deliver huge national returns for communities across the UK while failure to act will deepen the UK’s diet, climate and farming crises.
The report drew on evidence of nine pilot schemes across the UK, to show that connecting organic, sustainably grown produce from small and medium-sized farms with low-income households can generate £8.78 in social value for every £1 of public investment, matched with £1.10 from shoppers.
The returns included £3.11 in better health, £3.94 in stronger communities, £1.44 in local economic growth and 29p in climate and nature benefits.
This was achieved by closing the price gap on locally grown organic produce and creating steady demand through shops, school meals and voucher schemes. This kept money circulating locally, secured fair prices for growers and boosted local markets, the company said. Shoppers ate better, felt healthier and more connected and because the food was organic and sourced nearby, its environmental footprint dropped.
The report has called for urgent steps to be taken to support the UK’s fruit, veg and pulse sector.
It called for a boost to British production with an expansion through coordinated horticulture strategies and targeted support for small and organic farmers.
The report also highlighted the importance of investing in the local food infrastructure needed to get produce from field to market and strengthen supply chain rules to ensure fair prices.
Lastly, it asked for improved access by using the state’s £5bn school and hospital food budget to create guaranteed markets for organic and local produce, and scale schemes that help low-income households afford healthy food.
Hannah Gibbs, Programme Manager at Sustain, has called on the government to investigate scaling up these pilots.
“Our broken food system is damaging nature and the environment and failing to provide people with the nutritious food that they need to lead healthy lives,” she said.
“Government must listen to these inspiring solutions and scale them up, by investing in the growth of climate-friendly horticulture, supporting the local small businesses who supply good food and securing a market for nature-friendly produce through public sector food.”
Anna Taylor, CEO of The Food Foundation added: “Too many people in Britain find fruit and veg either unaffordable or unavailable in their neighbourhood, let alone being able to get produce from a local farm. These pilots provide crucial insight into what can be done to change this; insight which is hugely valuable as the government develops its food strategy.”
She added: “Being able to access quality fruit and veg from a local producer should be something everyone in Britain can enjoy, not just a privileged few. This work shows just how many people operating in communities across the country want to make this possible, but they face very basic barriers. Barriers which government should be helping them to overcome. The benefits are multitude for farmers, citizens and communities.”
