VIDEO: TV chefs support the 'Eat Seasonably' campaign

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Video 1

A campaign has been launched to teach us Brits how to eat well and in season after new research has revealed many of us do not know when particular produce is at its best.

TV chefs, the Government and retailers are backing the effort to get the word out about fresh foods in season, not only for the nutritional benefits, cost savings and lower impact on the environment, but also for the better flavours.

The campaign will see the introduction of a new labelling system, which will aim to help shoppers choose fresh foods when at their best. It is also calling on retailers, greengrocers, stallholders, pubs, restaurants and cafes around the UK to also sign up.

Research has revealed:

• A quarter of 16 to 24-year-olds think peas are in season ‘all year’, whereas only four per cent of the 55+ age group do.
• Around one in five 16 to 24-year-olds think sweetcorn is in season all year round, and more than a quarter of this age group don’t know at all.
• One in five of 16 to 24-year-olds think cauliflowers ‘grow below the ground’.
• A fifth of 18 to 24-year-olds think plums come into season in June (its actually late August).
• Only nine per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds knew that blackberries come into season in September.
 
The Eat Seasonably campaign is supported by DEFRA Secretary of State, Hilary Benn; many of the nation’s favourite chefs including Valentine Warner, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace and Angela Hartnett; and organisations including the RHS, The National Trust, RSPB, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, M&S and several Borough Market traders.

Watch the campaign video here.