Going to the market vs going to the supermarket

Gigervamp

AlexRed wrote: »

The greengrocer is Stokes on Taff Street in Pontypridd for any local people on here!

Strange, it's the Stokes in Bridgend that I found to be not great quality! I'd have thought the two different branches would probably use the same wholesaler as they're not too far apart.

Guapa1

Hiya AlexRed

Congrats on the baby!
What I did was write down the prices from Asda before I left and then wrote the prices down from the market as I shopped.
I was in an accident last year that has left me with mobility problems. Going to the market felt impossible because I couldn't walk to the market from the car park and I couldn't carry the shopping.

Talking to a friend last week, we were moaning about the quality of the produce and I mentioned that even though I have a blue badge, I still couldn't go to the market because I can't manage heavy bags.

She offered to come with me. It didn't occur to me to ask for help, I'm still getting used to not being able to do certain things for myself.

I just looked for my local Aldi and it's miles away. I wonder if Aldi and Lidl have a Mr T/Mr S type arrangement where they dominate in certain areas? I have 3 Lidls in a 1 mile radius!

It would be great to compare with others around the UK, come on peeps get scribbling!

Carmine just for you, I've got some pictures of the quality of the tomatoes, mushrooms and apples I have left from the market, I'll let you be the judge. I bought them on Tuesday.

Penny-Pincher!!

kedger25 wrote: »

Eggs are 80p a box for large free range,and always get 3 boxes.

Have you checked they are Free Range? Our market tried selling me FR eggs but when I looked at the numbers it was 3...which I think is caged.

Just make sure if I was you!

PP
xx

PlutoinCapricorn

I did a survey of organic food products from a variety of sources, and farmers' markets were the best pricewise. I prefer to deal with independent small businesses anyway.

AlexRed

Hi Guapa

Am so sorry to hear about the accident you had and the after effects that you are suffering. I hope that there has been some improvement for you and that you continue to gain strength and get some relief :heart2:

My brother suffers from a neurological condition and although he can walk, he finds it difficult to walk far especially with heavy bags of shopping. He too prefers to shop for 'fresh' goods from independent shops but he doesen't drive and found the transport system a bit of a joke.

Can I say that I think its inspirational how you are bei ng proactive about your condition and how you shop around and come up with creative meals. I have copied a few of your recipe ideas that you have posted on the 50p forum and they have been a help to me. :A

Gingervamp - I've never been to the shop in Bridgend but I have to say that the fruit and veg from the shop in Pontypridd is, in my opinion, in better condition and actually tastes of something unlike much of the produce from my local Mr T, where I have had recent experience of rotten potatoes and mouldy carrots and leeks in the last few months. I've been shopping at Stokes for just over a year, so not sure if different wholesalers in Bridgend or if they have changed suppliers in the last year?

Alex

Gigervamp

Maybe they've changed suppliers. It was a couple of years ago that I stopped using them.

Guapa, have you thought about getting a trolley? It would be a lot easier than carrying bags and they're quite trendy now too with different funky designs. I have a black one with a zebra print on the flap that goes over the top.

shopndrop

I usually buy my fruit/veg from the supermarket but yesterday had gone to the local greengrocer and was surprised at how much cheaper things were. Broccoli was £1.78 per kg against £1.98 in the local Mr M's and a 170g pack of raspberries was 60p but £1.99 for 1 or 2 for £3 in Mr M's. I shall definitely be going back next week to compare some more prices.

chuckley

the fruit is towards the end of its life. waste of money.

Guapa1

Aww Alex thank you so much! It's nice to know that I'm of help to someone. I'm sorry to hear about your brother, does he get DLA? If so then he may be able to use the dial and ride service, bit better than public transport for about the same price.

Gigervamp, I'm on the hunt for a pretty one. The only ones I've seen are the tartan type ones that my granny has!

Chuckley, the apples still taste good. I've had much worse!

Gigervamp

Guapa, try ebay, that's where I got mine from and it was only £14.99 plus postage.