The Spanish shortage is a “big wake up call” for the UK’s large restaurant chains, which should switch to seasonal British produce during the winter, a leading restaurant supplier has warned.
Vernon Mascarenhas of First Choice Produce believes similar crises will follow as global warming takes hold, necessitating a move away from unseasonal imported produce.
“This year has been a scare,” he said. “But as global warming continues, it will happen again. The big restaurants need to start planning for bad weather and changing their menus accordingly. I think we will start to see more of this from now on.”
He added that Spanish growers “have ignored the issue of water management for years”, with government and farmers unwilling to invest in proper drainage to protect against flooding.
The restaurants worst affected by the current Spanish shortages – in products including iceberg, cos and gem lettuce, courgette, aubergine, peppers and tomatoes – will be the large chains, according to Mascarenhas.
“These big chains print their menus twice a year and can’t easily switch to a new dish if they can’t source the ingredients they need. Smaller restaurants with local menus, however, can adapt more easily.”
First Choice Produce, which supplies high-end London eateries including Anglo, Bombetta and Sonny’s Kitchen, is refusing to pay extortionate prices for imported produce as the shortages in Spain force some wholesalers to fill the supply gap with American veg.
Mascarenhas reported that at some large British suppliers are flying in lettuce from Arizona, with whole planes chartered to meet demand. But First Choice Produce has rejected prices of up to £50 for a box of 12 cos lettuces from the US state.
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