When I read the headlines warning that Britain's Christmas vegetables could be in short supply after this summer's drought, I wasn't surprised.

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The recent reports about poor harvests of potatoes, carrots, sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower simply confirm what I've already been seeing on the ground. Coming on top of a cost of living crisis that still hasn't gone away for many families, it's another worry people could do without.

As someone who works closely with families through the community pantry I run in Stockbridge Village in Knowsley, I've watched the quality of fresh produce decline over recent weeks. Potatoes are smaller, carrots are poorer, tomatoes are harder to get hold of and much of the fruit is ripening earlier than normal. For many people, this isn't tomorrow's problem – it's already happening.

The biggest concern isn't just whether we'll have enough........

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