The availability of fruits and vegetables year-round presents a challenge for UK-based horticulturists focused on sustainability. A gardening charity advocates for purchasing only seasonal produce in February to minimize food miles and reduce plastic packaging.
While tomatoes and strawberries are accessible in February, their cultivation involves carbon-intensive practices, either through long-distance air freight or energy-demanding hothouses. The RHS identifies seven vegetables that can be grown or purchased in the UK during February without environmental concerns: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, leeks, parsnips, purple sprouting broccoli, and savoy cabbage. March sees the addition of forced rhubarb.
The RHS emphasizes the environmental benefits of seasonal produce, stating: "Growing your own fruit and vegetables or even just buying seasonal food is a great way to help the environment. It reduces food miles and the need for plastic packaging, both of which contribute to climate change."
BBC Good Food highlights the impact of transportation, noting: "If they were air-freighted, they'll have a higher carbon footprint due to the environmental impact of planes. But if they arrived by boat, their footprint would be a lot lower because sailing has a much smaller carbon impact than flying."
Energy consumption in greenhouses is another consideration. As BBC Good Food explains, "UK tomatoes grown in heated greenhouses in winter have a higher carbon footprint than tomatoes imported from warmer countries, like Spain."
This underscores the RHS's guidance on selecting in-season produce to reduce carbon footprints when purchasing from supermarkets.
Source: Express