Make fresh & seasonal food choices

Food production currently accounts for around one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, with meat and dairy consumption specifically accounting for 14.5% of total emissions. According to the most sophisticated analysis to date, eating healthy food is almost always best for the environment too.

Food which can be grown in the UK has a lower carbon footprint than some of the more exotic fruit and vegetables which are grown abroad. What’s also better is that as the travel time is shorter, the produce is holding more of its nutrients when it hits your plate and fewer preservatives are needed to keep it fresh on the journey.

Whole, fresh foods don’t undergo the same production methods as processed items, they retain more of their nutrients and produce a smaller carbon footprint while also typically using little to no packaging.

Here are fruit and vegetables grown in the UK by season:

Spring (March – May)

Artichoke Beetroot

Asparagus Carrots

Cucumber Leeks

New Potatoes Kale

Rocket Spinach

Parsnip Radishes

Rhubarb Spring Onions

Watercress Peppers

Spinach Strawberries

Summer (June – August)

Asparagus Aubergine

Beetroot Blackcurrants

Broccoli Cauliflower

Cherries Courgettes

Cucumber Gooseberries

Lettuce New Potatoes

Peas Peppers

Raspberries Rhubarb,

Spring Onions Strawberries

Turnips Watercress

Sweetcorn Tomatoes

Autumn (September -November)

Aubergine Beetroot

Blackberries Broccoli

Brussels Sprouts Butternut Squash

Carrots Cauliflower

Celery Courgettes

Cucumber Damsons

Apples Chestnuts

Kale Leeks

Lettuce Mangetout

Onions Parsnips

Pears Peas

Cranberries Swede

Peppers Plums

Potatoes Pumpkin

Radishes Raspberries

Red Cabbage Rhubarb

Runner Beans Spinach

Spring Onions Strawberries

Sweetcorn Tomatoes

Turnips Wild Mushrooms

Winter (December – February)

Apples Beetroot

Brussels Sprouts Carrots

Celery Chestnuts

Cranberries Jerusalem Artichokes

Kale Leeks

Mushrooms Onions

Parsnips Pears

Potatoes Pumpkin

Quince Red Cabbage

Swedes Turnips