Fresh broccoli and cauliflower in season in Switzerland

The Swiss increased their fresh vegetable consumption by 4.6% in 2008.

 

 

 

 

According to experts from the Landwirtschaftlicher Informationsdienst (LID – Swiss Agricultural Information Office), summer is the best time of year to eat fresh cauliflower, due to its low level of calories and its digestibility.

 

 

One third of Switzerland’s cauliflower is produced in Aargau and Zurich, while the remainder is grown in western regions. This brassica can be found from May until November, and in winter it is a popular import, usually from Italy, France and Spain.

 

During 2008, the Swiss ate an average of 113 kilos of fresh vegetables per capita, an increase of 4.6% on the previous year. Consumption has increased in the last few years, reflecting a trend towards healthy eating, LID experts observed. Nevertheless, the Swiss consume an average of only 1.3 vegetable portions per person per day; nutritionists consider that they should be eating 3 portions a day.

 

 

Overall, the Swiss consumed 610,000 tons of fresh vegetables in 2008, of which 52% were produced within the country.