Thérèse Coffey says turnips could help alleviate fruit and vegetable shortage

People should “cherish” seasonal foods like turnips amid shortages of tomatoes and other fresh produce, the environment secretary has said.

Thérèse Coffey was told by a Tory MP that supermarkets are importing too many products and that people should be eating more homegrown food.

Empty fruit and vegetable shelves at an Asda branch in east London. The chain has asked each customer to buy no more than three packs of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, salad bags, broccoli, cauliflower and raspberries

YUI MOK/PA

Selaine Saxby, a Tory MP, said in the Commons: “The supermarkets are still importing far too many products for us and … actually we should be eating more seasonally and supporting our own British farmers.

“And if we were actually to move to a seasonal line of eating, many of these problems would be avoided … there are great food products available from local farmers at this time.”

Coffey replied: “It’s important to make sure that we cherish the specialisms that