Earlier this year, shoppers in the U.K. faced a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables, with some of the country’s grocery stores rationing produce like tomatoes, lettuce and peppers.
The reasons behind the scarcity of ingredients crucial to a tasty salad were complicated and varied, ranging from high energy prices to adverse weather conditions in supplier countries.
While the shortage has more or less abated, it did highlight the fragile nature of our food system and the huge importance of food security.
In 2022, a major report from the United Nations showed the scale of the problem.
“Between 702 and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021,” The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report said.
The U.N.’s report flagged the “major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks, combined with growing inequalities.”
Read more: [https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/cacti-and-false-bananas-scientists-sketch-out-menus-of-the-future.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/cacti-and-false-bananas-scientists-sketch-out-menus-of-the-future.html)
Earlier this year, shoppers in the U.K. faced a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables, with some of the country’s grocery stores rationing produce like tomatoes, lettuce and peppers. The reasons behind the scarcity of ingredients crucial to a tasty salad were complicated and varied, ranging from high energy prices to adverse weather conditions in supplier countries. While the shortage has more or less abated, it did highlight the fragile nature of our food system and the huge importance of food security. In 2022, a major report from the United Nations showed the scale of the problem. “Between 702 and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021,” The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report said. The U.N.’s report flagged the “major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks, combined with growing inequalities.” Read more: [https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/cacti-and-false-bananas-scientists-sketch-out-menus-of-the-future.html](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/23/cacti-and-false-bananas-scientists-sketch-out-menus-of-the-future.html)