People in HICs in Europe and North America typically consume over 3500 calories per day. In LICs in sub-Saharan Africa the daily calorie intake in under 2500 calories.
Food trends in the UK
1) Imported Kenyan green beans
In the UK we are importing more high value produce from LICs. We buy 350 tonnes of green beans and other flowers and vegetables per day from Kenya. This is sent by air freight to the UK. The emissions of carbon dioxide are high in comparison to domestically grown crops. This imported food has a great number of food miles.
2) UK grown strawberries
In the UK we are also growing more soft fruit. In the past we imported most. Now lots of strawberries are domestically grown. The reason for the increase in production is the use of polytunnels. This allow a much longer season for strawberry growing in the UK. Many such agribusinesses can be found in Herefordshire.
3) Organic produce
Health and environmental concerns mean more people are buying organic fruit and vegetables. Organic food is the product of a farming which avoids the use of man-made fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicals.
