MPs, Peers, and civil servants joined UK fruit and vegetable growers at the Palace of Westminster on November 25th to celebrate the launch of the UK Fruit and Vegetable Coalition (UKFVC). The Soil Association is a founding member of the UKFVC, and Policy team members Maddy Potter Wood (Farming and Land Use Policy Officer) and Gareth Morgan (Head of Farming and Land Use Policy) stood alongside growers and allied organisations to advocate for a revival of nature-friendly horticulture production in the UK.
The event drew a strong turnout of over 40 MPs, Peers and civil servants. The event was sponsored by Edward Morello MP, and attendees included the former DEFRA Minister Daniel Zeichner, as well as Kerry McCarthy MP, Helen Whateley MP, Sarah Dyke MP and others.
Over a seasonal organic lunch, members of the Coalition highlighted the potential of organic and agroecological horticulture to help deliver the National Food Strategy 2025. Growers from across the UK shared their experiences and demonstrated how they improve access to fresh organic fruit and vegetables for households on lower incomes.
The challenge and opportunity for UK horticulture
Less than 2% of UK farmland is used to grow fruit and vegetables, and growers are facing a perfect storm of rising labour costs, narrow profit margins limited labour availability, and increasingly extreme climate events. Nearly half of growers fear they may go out of business within a year. Meanwhile the UK imports around 85% of its fruit and nearly half its vegetables, primarily from countries at risk of drought and climate change like Spain and Morocco. This leaves UK fruit and veg supply vulnerable to market shocks and climate change. Whilst it is known that fresh produce is essential for health, only about a third of adults and just 12% of children meet the recommended five-a-day target.
The opportunity lies in scaling up nature-friendly, agroecological fruit and veg growing at home. This would improve the UK's food security, boost soil and biodiversity, and help tackle poor diets. Public procurement in schools, hospitals and other institutions can also create reliable demand for UK-grown produce, supporting growers and boosting fruit and veg consumption.
Ministerial commitment to a horticulture strategy
"The Soil Association is engaging with policymakers to give horticulture a central place at the table. Alongside the UKFVC, we welcome the commitment to a Horticulture Growth Strategy from Dame Angela Eagle, Minister of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs," said the Soil Association.
In a letter to the UK Fruit and Vegetable Coalition, Dame Angela said: "Horticulture has a vital role to play in delivering economic growth, improving public health, and addressing environmental challenges. The Government remains committed to supporting British growers and ensuring our food system is fit for the future. Increasing domestic fruit and vegetable production is essential not only for food security, but also for tackling poor dietary health and reducing our reliance on imports. Issues such as the cultivation of peat soils, labour shortages, supply chain fairness, and the financial pressures facing growers are active areas of concern within Defra."
The Soil Association welcomes this recognition of the importance of horticulture for delivering for health, nature and climate.
Soil Association's role in supporting UK horticulture
"The launch of the UKFVC reinforces the Soil Association's long-term commitment to horticulture. Through political advocacy work and programmes like Food for Life, we champion fair market access, fruit and vegetable rich diets, sustainable production, and policies that support growers," said the Soil Association in a statement.
© Soil Association
The Soil Association has delivered key pilots including Give Peas a Chance and Welsh Veg in Schools, which prove that modest public investment in organic fruit and veg can deliver huge communities, local economies and climate. A recent report from Sustain, Bridging the Gap, using these pilot case studies showed that for every pound of public money invested in climate and nature-friendly food delivers£8.78 in social, health, economic and environmental benefits.
Demand for organic produce has surged, rising 10.4% between 2023 and 2024. Yet certified organic land remains at just 3.5% of England's farmland, meaning imports fill much of the gap. Organic is for everyone, and organic fruit and veg can be the golden thread that links climate and nature-friendly food and positive health outcomes for people on low incomes.
For more information:
Soil Association
soilassociation.org/
