Sustainable solutions to improve public health through food security in fruits and vegetables

How fruits and vegetables are produced, sold and consumed is essential for food security in the UK and transitioning to healthier, more sustainable, and equitable food systems.

The UK produces 60% of total vegetable supply and 20% for fruits with the remaining largely imported. This makes the UK vulnerable to shocks in global food systems, such as climate-induced weather events interrupting supply and causing volatility in food prices, which in turn exacerbates access to healthy foods.  

Research is required to explore how to create feasible systems-wide solutions to increase the ubiquity of fruits and vegetables in our food environments, without exploiting people or the planet. 

This PhD will aim to explore sustainable solutions to improve the UK’s food security and public health related to horticulture and fruits and vegetables through a planetary health and systems approach. The PhD aims to explore coherence in local-national policy to improve the UK’s food security in fruits and vegetables; explore practices, experiences, aspirations of local growers and retailers regarding the future of UK horticulture; and explore the contribution of local innovation to improving food security of fruits and vegetables in the UK.