Hubby Goes To Market

Barneysmom

My hubby went to the Hanley market today to see how much fruit and veg he could get for a tenner.

Well, he never spent a tenner, he spent 8 quid.

So for his £8.00 he got
A bag of spuds (about 3lb)
8 Large tomatoes
7 large bananas
4 Pears (these were £1.23!!!!!!!!!:eek: )
A huge cabbage, we'll have to blanch and freeze
A lettuce
1/2 cucumber
1/2lb mushrooms

It's on the kitchen table, but doesn't look much at all.
Next week we'll spend £8.00 at Lidl, see what we can get from there, if it's any better value.

But I don't think I'd get that much from an online fruit box order?

Caterina

You wouldn't get all that from an organic food box because organic food costs more and also you would have to factor in that fruit is generally more expensive than veg.

We get an organic veg box from Riverford and it works out at £10.45 for a small one (8 items) and between £13 and £14 for a medium one, depending on which one we choose - but we value the fact that the veg is locally grown and organic. It is a pity that these days people need to pay a premium to avoid eating pesticide-ridden stuff, I wish that all food was organic and accessible to all!

Caterina

lizzyb1812

First thought was that times must be hard if you're having to put OH on the market:rotfl:

But getting back to your real topic, you should do OK at Lidl with your £8. At the weekend they had packs of leeks that worked out about 1/3 the price of other supermarkets - just had some tonight and they were lovely. And their sweet peppers (the pointed ones, and yes I know they are a luxury) are a good bit cheaper than elsewhere. I don't go to Lidl often as it is not on my usual routes, but if I'm near I usually go in and stock up on bread flour and pick up veg as well

sb44

I'm sure I read somewhere that Lidl have got the half price fruit and veg offer on again from this week.

npsmama

Aldi are very good for nice but decently-priced fruit and veg too.

Personally, I never use the market as when I used to the stuff wouldn't be that much cheaper and would go off the next day anyway!
It's a real shame that our markets aren't like those on the continent where they really do sell the freshest produce (although I'm sure there are cowboys out there as well).
Markets are such a wonderful thing for community relationships. Pity the produce isn't up to scratch.

Magentasue

Depends on the market - we have no Lidl or Aldi nearby. Before we moved, we had both. Lidl best - Aldi mostly prepacked. I spent £12 something at our market on Saturday and got:

7lb potatoes £1
Broccolli and green beans
3lb onions
3lb Coxes £1
6 bananas
3 mangoes £1
2lb plums
4 cooked beetroot
bunch watercress
6 kiwi fruit
bag grapes
red pepper
cucumber

2cats1kid

We have a good market here. My best trick is to go just when they are packing up, as they will sell it for next to nothing rather than take it away again. Over the summer DH came home with 9lbs of strawberries and 4lbs of plums for £2.40.

Biggles

I carried out a bit of research last month and found our market was way cheaper than the supermarket, the fruit & veg shop and all the 'delis' locally.

I go there each week now.

suzywoozy_3

Our market doesn't even have a fruit and veg stall. I used to live in St Albans and loved the market there, I used to go at the end when they sold off carrier bags full of veg for £1. On the Isle of Wight there isn't a decent market which was a great disappointment but at least we have lidl now.

Scubabe

I went to a local Farm Shop (near Hungerford) on Saturday morning and bought about £7/8 worth of fruit & veg.
Next I took the car to have some work done, and while they were doing the work I browsed through Sainsburys and compared their fruit & veg prices to what I had just paid - and ya know what? The farm shop was FAR cheaper, on some items it was as much as half the price!
I know where I'll be buying my fruit & veg from now on
I don't think I have an Aldi or Lidl or anything near me so can't compare to them.

Ness

OrkneyStar

Interesting thread
I think Lidl can be cheaper (we don't have Aldi), but I often buy our local carrots and tatties (and anything else available) as I like the fact that it has been locally grown. I do use Lidl sometimes, as well as Tesco and Coop (no more supermarkets here lol) but often wonder where the stuff has come from. Fair enough peppers, certain fruits etc have to come from abroad but things like carrots, cabbage, turnip which can be grown here should come from here iykwim. I also like the idea of eating 'in season'- that way the fruit/veg is at its best too.
Sometimes Tesco does have good bargains- couple of times I have got potatoes, courgettes, mushrooms, carrots, reduced to half price or less- I do take advantage of this when it happens (not that often though)- *sigh*.
Keep us updated barneysmom.
:wave: