Listen: baking in lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a shift in the way that Brits shop for food, with research highlighting a move towards local food purchasing behaviour. 35% of the UK said they were shopping local more often, and almost a quarter (24%) were purchasing more from farm shops and veg box schemes. Similarly, the way Brits cooked, and the types of food being consumed saw a change, with much of the population returning to home-made meals and baking during this period.

3 in 5 (60%) Brits took up baking during the lockdown, with over a third (34%) of Brits saying they used two or more bags of flour between the start and mid-point of the UK lockdown. This seems to be a trend that will continue, with a third (33%) saying they will continue to bake moving forward, and over a quarter (26%) stating that they found baking to be relaxing a therapeutic.

In line with the rise in home baking, flour saw a 113.2% increase in sales, other baking ingredients saw a 72.6% increase and sugar saw a 49.7% increase. 86% of the population made cakes during this time, 56% made biscuits and sourdough and pastries also saw surge in home bakes. Millers across the country have doubled production.

Aston spoke to Bertie Matthews, flour expert and baking enthusiast to discuss the impacts of baking whilst in lockdown.

Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash