People over the age of 50 may be more food savvy than their younger counterparts, according to research by a leading market research agency.

A study into the environmental impact of imported food by the British Market Research Bureau (BRMB) has indicated that fruit and vegetable consumers are more aware of the effects of purchasing food from abroad than they were a year ago, with older consumers leading the way.

Since last year, knowledge of 'food miles' - the distance produce travels from where it is grown to where it is consumed - has increased from 36 per cent in 2006 to 59 per cent this year.

Among people over the age of 50, awareness has risen to 72 per cent, reports the BRMB.

Some 66 per cent of over-50s regularly or always buy British food, in comparison to 49 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds.

The BBC reports that a study by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs indicates that food miles rose by 15 per cent between 1992 and 2002.