Brits are spending £120 a month more on food than they were just a year ago, with many sacrificing fruit and vegetables in a bid to save money. New research has revealed that 34% are cutting back on fresh produce, with 82% now failing to eat their recommended five a day.
Supermarket swaps and frozen food
The cost-of-living research was conducted by Choose British Peas, a campaign run by a collective of the UK frozen pea industry. It also found that shoppers are making other supermarket swaps for their preferred food or brand. As many as 40% are ditching branded products for supermarket own-label alternatives, while 31% pick frozen produce instead of fresh.
However, despite nearly a quarter of Brits saying they use frozen foods more often because of inflation, 83% do not understand the nutritional benefits they can offer.
Frozen vs fresh nutrition
Peter Judge, spokesperson for Choose British Peas, highlighted how beneficial frozen foods can actually be. “While many people believe frozen fruit and vegetables are less nutritious than fresh, actually, the opposite is often true,” he said. “Frozen vegetables such as peas are picked and frozen within just 2.5 hours of harvest, locking in nutrients and freshness. In comparison, fresh produce begins to deteriorate from the moment it is harvested – with nutrient loss continuing during transportation and while it sits on supermarket shelves.”
He added that frozen produce can also help to reduce food waste at home, allowing shoppers to use only what they need. “With food inflation continuing to put pressure on household budgets, we're encouraging shoppers to 'give peas a chance', as an affordable way to reach their five-a-day without stretching their finances,” Mr Judge said.
Supermarkets warn on food supply
It comes as supermarkets have warned the Government that food supply is under threat. The letter, coordinated by the Food Foundation charity, warned that food prices are rising faster than household incomes and that British farmers are struggling to maintain production due to rising input costs and extreme weather harming harvests.
Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts said: "Recent weeks have shown just how much pressure our food system is under. We need a more resilient food system that attracts investment, backs British farmers and helps keep affordable, nutritious food on tables across the nation."
