A new Defra-backed campaign called ‘Eat Seasonably’ was launched on 28 May. It aims to introduce people to the benefits of seasonal produce and reconnect them with the food they are eating and the seasons in which it’s grown. This builds on the earlier phase of the campaign, ‘Grow your own’.

Defra research tells us that a simple but significant step towards a more sustainable diet is to eat more fruit and vegetables when they are seasonally available, as they generally require less energy to produce and tend to cost less.

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: “We enjoy picking strawberries to eat in the summer, and a lot of us enjoy Brussels sprouts with our Christmas dinner.

“Food does taste best when it’s eaten in season, so this campaign is a great way for people to enjoy meals and treats using local and seasonal produce, as well as discovering more about where their food comes from.”

As well as being supported by Defra, the campaign is backed by many of the nation’s favourite chefs including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Gregg Wallace and Valentine Warner. Other supporting organisations include the Royal Horticultural Society, the National Trust, RSPB, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Brakes, Pauleys, Global Action Plan, Soil Association, Sustain and the Women’s Institute.

Linked to the campaign is the ‘Big Lunch’, which will take place on 19 July. It’s encouraging people across the UK to set up street parties and tuck into locally grown, made or bought food and drink with friends and neighbours in streets, parks and church halls.