United Kingdom: Turnips for tea? Coffey suggests a controversial shortage solution

The Environment Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, announced in UK Parliament that British consumers should “cherish” the home-grown food supply and turn to vegetables such turnips amid supermarket fresh produce shortages. Reports from The Independent claim that Coffey also said that the ongoing fruit and vegetable shortages “will be a temporary issue that should be resolved in two to four weeks”. New Food recently reported on numerous supermarkets limiting their sales of fruit and veg following extreme weather affecting Spain and North Africa’s supply. Many crops from these locations are typically imported to the UK for British consumers however, with them now being in short supply, a cap has put a limit on the amount shoppers can buy. However, Coffey’s comment appears to have caused controversy, with Sir Ed Davey, a Liberal Democrat leader, accused the Environment Secretary of creating a “let them eat turnips” strategy. However, in response, Downing Street has said that Coffey was ...