Ministers launching Operation Save Our Salad to end the fruit and veg shortage

MINISTERS are launching Operation Save Our Salad to end the fruit and veg shortage.

Food Minister Mark Spencer is hauling in supermarket chiefs for talks tomorrow to tackle the crisis.

The move comes after Cabinet Minister Therese Coffey sparked controversy when she suggested Brits should eat turnips instead.

Mr Spencer told Trending In The News on Sunday: “I know families expect the fresh produce they need to be on the shelves when they go for their weekly shop.

“That is why I am calling in supermarket chiefs to get shelves stocked again and to outline how we can avoid a repeat of this.”

All the big supermarkets are expected to attend the meeting.

Mr Spencer will demand answers over how Britain found itself at the centre of the crisis.

Bad weather in Morocco and Spain has caused a massive shortage of fresh fruit and veg in British shops.

Tomatoes, leeks, cucumbers, lettuces and raspberries have all been badly hit.

Some desperate supermarkets have resorted to rationing the amount of fruit and veg punters can buy to stop ­supplies running dry.

And in the latest twist, some shops have run out of turnips after Ms Coffey’s plea for Brits to switch to the seasonal root veg.

The crisis has renewed calls for Britain to invest in new, multi-storey greenhouses to grow more of our favourite food here.