The contribution of household fruit and vegetable growing to fruit and vegetable self-sufficiency and consumption

Abstract

Societal Impact Statement: Household fruit and vegetable (F&V) production in allotments and gardens can provide sustainable access to nutritious food. The present study demonstrates that UK household F&V production supplies more than half of the vegetables and potatoes and 20% of the fruit that growers consume annually. Importantly, study participants ate 6.3 portions of their recommended 5-a-day F&V (70% higher than the UK national average), and their wasted F&V was 95% lower than the national average. This provides key evidence to demonstrate the role household F&V production could play in providing access to fresh F&V, which is key to a healthy, food-secure population. Summary: Improving access to and consumption of fruits and vegetables (F&V) is crucial to a healthy and food-secure population, as current low intakes are linked to high rates of non-communicable diseases, premature death and increased healthcare costs. Household F&V production could improve diet quality and food system resilience, however, quantitative evidence for its potential is limited. We studied year-long F&V production, purchases, donations and waste in UK food-grower households (N = 85) using a food diary approach. Median year-round household self-sufficiency was 51% in vegetables, 20% in fruits and 50% in potatoes. The median daily per capita F&V intake was 507 g, which is the equivalent of 6.3 portions of F&V and 70% higher than the UK national average. On average, own production accounted for half of each household's annual 5-a-day F&V requirements. F&V waste was negligible, equivalent to 0.12 portions per day and 95% lower than the UK average F&V waste. We demonstrate that promoting household F&V production could improve food system resilience, diet-related public health and sustainability.