Resource Management » Food in the UK

Resources in the UK

The UK needs a steady supply of food, water and energy, just like every other country. Demand for these resources changes over time, and so does the way they are provided. This creates both opportunities and challenges. In this lesson we look at food. Water and energy come in the next lesson, Water and Energy in the UK.

The UK grows a lot of its own food, but not all of it. Our climate is cool and wet, so we cannot easily grow bananas, coffee or tea. We also want some foods all year round, even when they are out of season here. So a large share of the food on UK shelves is imported. This brings choice, but it also brings challenges for the environment and for farmers.

Key terms:

• Food miles: the distance food travels from where it is produced to where it is eaten.
• Carbon footprint: the total amount of greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide) given off by making, moving and selling a product.
• Local sourcing: buying food that was produced close to where it is sold and eaten.
• Organic produce: food grown without artificial fertilisers or chemical pesticides.
• Agribusiness: large scale, commercial farming run like a business, using lots of machinery, money and technology.

Growing demand for high-value food exports from low income countries

Many people in the UK want fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers that cannot easily be grown here. Many of these come from low income countries, where the climate is warm and labour is cheaper. These are called high-value food exports because shoppers will pay a high price for them.

One example is green beans grown in Kenya and flown to UK supermarkets. They arrive fresh within a day or two, but air freight gives off a lot of carbon dioxide.

All-year demand for seasonal food

In the past, people in the UK ate foods when they were in season. Strawberries came in summer, and apples and root vegetables in autumn. Today, supermarkets sell most foods all year round. Shoppers expect strawberries in December and asparagus in January.

• When a food is out of season in the UK, it is imported from countries where it is in season, such as Spain.
• Some foods are stored in cold stores or grown in heated greenhouses.

This gives shoppers choice, but it increases imports and energy use.

Growing demand for organic produce

More people now want organic food. Organic farmers avoid artificial fertilisers and chemical pesticides. Instead they use natural methods such as animal manure and crop rotation. Many shoppers choose organic because they think it is better for the environment, for wildlife and for animal welfare.

Organic food usually costs more, because yields are often lower and more labour is needed. Supermarkets now sell large organic ranges, and some of this organic produce is imported.

Food miles and carbon footprints

The more food is imported, the more food miles it travels. Food travels by lorry, ship, train and plane, and burning fuel for this transport releases carbon dioxide. This adds to the food's carbon footprint, so a rising number of food miles means larger carbon footprints.

Air freight gives off much more carbon dioxide than shipping for each tonne of food moved. A product flown in from another continent usually has a larger carbon footprint than one grown nearby. For more on greenhouse gases, see Causes of Climate Change.

Moves towards local sourcing

Because of these concerns, there is a move towards local sourcing. Examples are farmers' markets, farm shops, veg box schemes and supermarkets labelling British produce.

• Fewer food miles and a smaller carbon footprint.
• Food is fresher.
• Money stays in the local economy and supports local farmers.

Local food is not always the best choice for the environment. A tomato grown in a heated greenhouse in the UK can use more energy than one grown outdoors in a warm country and shipped here. Food miles are only part of the story.

The trend towards agribusiness

Farming in the UK has become more like a business. Farms have grown bigger, and many are owned by companies. This is called agribusiness. Agribusiness farms usually have these features:

• Very large fields and big machines such as combine harvesters.
• Large amounts of fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicals.
• Contracts to sell food directly to supermarkets or food companies.
• A focus on high output and low costs. Some farms keep thousands of animals indoors.

Agribusiness can produce large amounts of cheap food, which helps supply a growing population. However, small family farms can find it hard to compete. Removing hedgerows to make bigger fields can harm wildlife, and chemicals can pollute rivers.

Exam-style question

(a) What is meant by food miles? [1 mark]

(b) Explain why the UK imports food from low income countries all year round. [3 marks]

(c) Explain why some people choose local sourcing of food. [2 marks]