Dieticians inform us there is very little better for our health than eating ‘five’ fruit and vegetable portions a day. But I do not think this ‘five a day’ theory is anything new. Dad took the whole thing very seriously, renovating a rusty old Fergie tractor to make the process run more smoothly. (Image: Emma Brennan)Dad would very often put surplus courgettes (or marrows, as they rapidly became) by the garden gate for people to ‘help themselves’ to. Emma’s nephew has continued the veg-growing tradition started by her grandparents (Image: Emma Brennan)Did you hate having to eat vegetables when you were young?

Source: The Times January 21, 2026 11:25 UTC