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British greengrocers: "Backlash against plastic has sparked trade boom"

UK greengrocers have claimed that a backlash against plastic has sparked a boom in their trade, as - mainly young - people flock through the doors to buy locally-sourced vegetables.

In the past, the growth of the supermarket meant that thousands of greengrocers have shut their doors, with 3,000 closing from 1997-2008. Now, shopkeepers are feeling optimistic as the new generation of consumers snub large grocery stores in favour of shopping locally.

Grant Fox, the owner of Seasons of England in Herne Hill, south London, said that his traditional shop under the railway arches is becoming more and more popular with the younger generation.

The greengrocer, who gets his produce from New Covent Garden market every morning, told The Telegraph: “We have loads of young customers. I would say [millennials] care about seasonal produce and their carbon footprint. A lot of our veg is from just 7 miles from where we are. 90 per cent of our plants aren’t wrapped in plastic - they’re all loose.”

Cookery programs have helped instil an interest in fresh fruit and vegetables in the younger generation, he said, adding: "If Jamie Oliver is on TV doing something with dill people come in and buy dill. The same with Masterchef. You can't buy the produce we have here in the supermarkets - they don't sell the rainbow chard and artichokes.”

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