Havering Friends of the Earth

Wish list for supermarkets

by John Robinson; first published 2-May-2025

A supermarket fruit and veg display - John Robinson

Wasting less food will be a hot topic later this year, as the council prepares to meet its new obligation to collect food waste for recycling. But it's down to shops, as well as shoppers, to do their bit. In particular, they should abolish "BOGOF" and other multi-pack discounts, in favour of straightforward unit price reductions. Not only do special offers encourage susceptible shoppers to overbuy, they often result in empty shelves for the rest of us!

We could also do with more loose produce, and single servings; it's annoying to be forced to buy, say, three large mushrooms, or an assortment of peppers, or a meal for two - when you only want one. This is especially true if you prefer, as I do, to buy organic food. Because it has to be marked as such, it's easier for shops to sell it in packs than to put a sticker on each item. My solution would be to have a separate aisle or department for loose organic produce, complete with with its own distinctive (maybe paper) bags. Of course naughty shoppers might cheat the system by sneaking in an "ordinary" bag, but I'm sure most of us could be trusted... and there's always CCTV!

Talking of organic produce, I wish there was more of it. When did you last see organic Brussels sprouts, turnips, swedes or a host of other seasonal staples? If only an enterprising chain would lead the way by going all-organic! Indeed back in 2000, Iceland (the supermarket) famously pledged to do exactly that - but the idea turned out to be ahead of its time, and economics soon forced them to abandon it. Time for another try?

Lastly, please can we have more seasonal, British produce? Where are fresh blackcurrants when you need them to make a Summer Pudding? I'm sorry, early (or imported) blackberries simply won't do as a substitute!

There could be more fundamental reasons to eat seasonal, home-grown food than just saving food miles. Our bodies are naturally attuned to the annual cycle of short, cold days and long warm ones, with food availability - and its nutritional qualities - to match. I personally think that "Seasonal Affective Disorder" (SAD) is less a disorder, more a reminder to slow down during the winter, and build up our energy for more active times ahead. We fight nature and the rhythms of life at our peril!