Fruit and vegetables looking and feeling different to normal are on the menu in support of farmers faced with the effects of the drought.

Lidl GB has written to its UK fresh produce suppliers to offer support and look for ways to ensure that high quality crops are not going to waste.

Stunted crops are growing in number due to the hottest and driest weather seen in half a century.

The supermarket wants work with suppliers to identify key crop challenges and try to accommodate these products.

The plan is to help to prevent perfectly good, quality produce from going to waste because of variations in specifications, for example a different size to what shoppers are typically used to.

Ryan McDonnell, Lidl GB CEO, said: “Farmers across the country are facing a big challenge this year due to the extreme weather conditions experienced over the summer months.

"Whilst the crop coming out may look and feel a bit different to what we’re all used to, it’s still the same great British quality.

"We therefore want to show support for our suppliers by working with them to find solutions to help.

“Lidl is built on the foundation of making good food accessible and affordable to everyone, and our fresh produce range is key to achieving this.

"Whilst some supermarkets have chosen to create a separate ‘wonky veg’ label for items that don’t quite fit a certain specification, we don’t believe in a creating a false market.

"Instead, we have always strived to work collaboratively with our suppliers to ensure that we are flexible with variations in specifications at different times of the year."

This builds on Lidl’s initiatives to tackle food waste throughout the supply chain. The discounter was one of the first supermarkets to sign the NFU Fruit and Veg Pledge in 2016, underlining a commitment to help work in a sustainable way with all growers.

For customers, Lidl GB launched Too Good to Waste boxes in 2019 to help tackle in-store food waste. Priced at just £1.50 for approximately 5kg, the boxes contain fruit and vegetables from the store shelves that would have otherwise been thrown away but are still perfectly food to eat. They are put together daily.