There is widespread agreement that the UK population should eat more vegetables and fruit, but less clarity on where the produce will come from or – crucially – who will grow and pick it. This Policy Insight, by organic grower and campaigner Rebecca Laughton, argues that given volatile geopolitics and likely climate impacts, we need to protect and increase the UK’s capacity to grow vegetables and fruit. That means:
- Solving immediate labour shortages
- Funding more and better-coordinated training for current and future growers
- Making sure jobs in horticulture are rewarding and secure
- Supporting short, transparent supply chains that pay fair prices to growers.
The Policy Insight argues that agroecological horticulture can help meet the challenges, while also providing environmental benefits, but it urgently needs policy support.