People who live in the rural areas of England and Scotland rely on supermarkets for their supplies which are often a distance away, research found.
There is a scarcity of locally produced options as the foods produced in these areas are removed for processing or exported to larger markets, researchers say.
The study by the University is one of the first to examine local communities access to food in remote rural and upland areas.
Shopping habits
Researchers say better supporting local food systems and retaining more local produce within remote areas could result in a more stable food supply chain in these areas.
A team at the University of Edinburgh interviewed 74 residents of four remote and rural areas of the UK – – the Scottish islands of Orkney and Skye, the Scottish Borders and North Yorkshire – about their food shopping habits.
Researchers examined the data to discover what factors influenced people’s routine food shopping. They asked participants if they experienced any problem in food supply and if they wanted to and were able to buy locally produced foods.
They found people’s shopping habits in rural areas are shaped by daily routines, travel distances, and the wider range of products available in supermarkets.
Food systems
The greater the distances that both people and their food had to travel sometimes resulted in restricted choices and a shortage of fresh produce at periods of peak demand or in bad weather.
Many interviewees were similar to the rest of the population in their desire to consume more locally produced food. Households adopted strategies such as bulk buying or preserving food to mitigate shortages.
The team says investment in initiatives, such as support for abattoirs, market spaces, and polytunnels could help encourage local food systems.