As you will have heard on the news, and seen at your local supermarket, there is currently a food shortage in the UK. More specifically fruit, salad and vegetables have been in short supply this year, but ‘why is this?’ you may be wondering.
A key contributing factor is the weather in leading foreign import countries like Spain and Morocco. These countries have received a spell of bad, unpredictable weather which affected food production and growth, (climate change largely being the source of this). Brexit has also been a contributor to the food shortages as it has caused imports to become more complex and expensive, making the UK an unattractive destination to bring food into.
However, one of the main reasons could be down to the actions of our supermarkets. Supermarkets continuously are in competition with one another to supply food at the lowest prices for the consumer. In the process of this ongoing competition, some supermarket giants have been paying farmers such low prices that it has outstripped the cost of production. With rising prices in energy and the cost of living, some supermarkets need to change their attitude towards how much they are willing to pay UK-based farmers for their fresh, local produce.
The Guardian found that agricultural inputs have risen by nearly 50% since 2019, amid huge cost inflations, which has triggered a slump in UK food production. Some growers have chosen not to plant this year, leaving us with stock levels that can’t fulfil consumer demand.
Rising fuel and gas prices are also making it increasingly difficult to produce and grow our beloved fruit and vegetables. The gas used to heat greenhouses has continued to increase in price, leading to less vegetables being grown in the UK this year, and in some cases, heated greenhouses shutting altogether.
But there’s no need to brood, you can still have your food!
At District Eating, we develop greenhouse sites that are connected to low carbon heat sources, such as mine water, industrial heat waste, power stations, and many more. In using this waste heat method, food can be grown in a low carbon way. Fluctuations of gas prices can be avoided, and greenhouses can have a more stable heating system. This also will contribute towards better food security in the UK, as well as improved diets, and new job creations. Being no longer so heavily reliant on fossil fuels in this industry can have a positive impact on the soil, that could otherwise have been damaged through the use of gas.
A study at Durham University, found that in the UK in 2020, the amount of waste heat produced by large industries, was 35% more than the heat needed to warm every home across the UK.
What we can do for you
Instead of burning gas to heat greenhouses, growers can use a source of heat that would otherwise be going to waste. Using waste heat is the solution, to combat the unaffordable and carbon intensive heating sources, that are currently used in UK greenhouses.
Greenhouses do not have seasons, and so weather should not impact the growth of these foods. If we change the internal infrastructure of production in the UK, the benefits are endless.
If British growers can keep growing, we can make our food system more resilient and climate friendly. By finding alternatives to fossil fuel reliance, carbon emissions could be reduced, which also progresses Net Zero aspirations for growers. If you want to grow foods in a low carbon way, and avoid gas price fluctuations, whilst having a stable heating system and food security –
GET IN TOUCH TODAY!
Micro-feasibility study Client: A Local Authority and Local Economic Partnership The Brief Tomson Consulting Limited was approached in order to assess the extent of wildlife
Horticulture Opportunity Mapping Study, and Three Micro Feasibility Studies Client: The Institute of Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield The Brief District Eating Ltd
Feasibility study Client: Sheffield City Council The Brief District Eating was approached by the Institute of Sustainable Food at the University of Sheffield to collaborate
