2012 no supermarket shop challenge

A._Badger

RHYSDAD wrote: »

Blimey! I'll try to clarify!
'Jumping through hoops' means that they have to rigidly stick to dilution rates, maximum dose and Maximum residue levels for a specific crop, so number 5 on your list would seem nearest the mark.
A Harvest interval is not when the crop is harvested but the period between pesticide use and the minimum time before it is allowed to be harvested for human consumption.

I'm afraid you're wasting your time. The urban myths about food and farming have been spread so wide and for so long that people will believe them no matter what the facts are.

There are plenty of genuine reasons not to like the supermarket giants. You don't need fake ones invented by anti-science scaremongering pressure groups.

Kirri

I'd love to do this as to me supermarkets are largely full of processed foods which I hate, but not sure how easy it would be - I live in London in a very bland town, the high street is all large chains, no independents really, no butcher/fishmonger (I don't eat it though), no real baker, no greengrocers... I would love to move somewhere that had those options!

I grow my own veg, but in winter I don't have so much growing so mainly use frozen or stored veg from the summer. I have to buy some veg in winter for pets though. I make all my own bread, cakes, biscuits, pies, flans, etc, cook nearly everything from scratch - but I still need to buy all the basic ingredients of things like pulses, flours, seeds, dried fruit and I do like Quorn for ease..

At the moment I tend to order once a month from Ocado and supplement from the odd supermarket inbetween orders. I could potentially switch to an eco friendly online supplier but not sure of any.

I also need to stick to a budget (approx £80 p/m) but tend to buy organic foods and prefer local/non processed largely.

Have visited quite a few farmers markets recently and they are more expensive in London than outside, but still find things like eggs surprisingly cheap and the veg I got recently was lovely. Also prefer the locally made honey, jams etc. I just need to find somewhere to buy the rest of the basics??

davenport151

First success! went to local budgens yesterday - which is a mile or so away (a pleasant walk too) instead of our very local Mr T's. Only needed a few items so figured I would keep stocked up. They had an offer on multi pack crisps and I picked up a half price gammon joint which I intend to slow cook and use for sandwiches. Luckily my Mum lives near an Aldi's & Iceland so I can pick up my fruit & veg when I visit in the week.

A._Badger

As a matter of interest (and I'm not being sarcastic - I'm genuinely interested in how people think about these things) in what way do you feel that Budgens (or Aldi for that matter) is any better than any other supermarket chain?

the_cat

A._Badger wrote: »

As a matter of interest (and I'm not being sarcastic - I'm genuinely interested in how people think about these things) in what way do you feel that Budgens (or Aldi for that matter) is any better than any other supermarket chain?

As far as ethics, they probably are all as bad. However for the sake of as much competition as possible (and therefore the incentive to keep prices down) I would prefer to support those other than the big 4. The more popular the likes of Aldi/Lidl etc are, the harder the big 4 have to try to keep their market share. The more of the competition they drive out of business (or keep pinned to a tiny market share), the easier it is for them to set whatever price they like for their goods, knowing we have no other choice

I would prefer to support local businesses where I can. Where I can't the next best thing is the smaller chains (imo)

A._Badger

the_cat wrote: »

As far as ethics, they probably are all as bad. However for the sake of as much competition as possible (and therefore the incentive to keep prices down) I would prefer to support those other than the big 4. The more popular the likes of Aldi/Lidl etc are, the harder the big 4 have to try to keep their market share. The more of the competition they drive out of business (or keep pinned to a tiny market share), the easier it is for them to set whatever price they like for their goods, knowing we have no other choice

I would prefer to support local businesses where I can. Where I can't the next best thing is the smaller chains (imo)

Yes, on balance I agree with you. However there are two contrary arguments to consider.

The first is epitomised by a town near where I live. It has a Budgens and no major supermarket - though there is a planing war going on over plans for one to be built.

There is no doubt that the locals badly want a Tesco/Sainbsburys or whatever as they claim (rightly) that Budgens is greatly overpriced. Having wandered round their Budgens only yesterday, it's hard not to agree with them - however much I hate Tesco! And don't even mention that temple of pretend socialism - the Co-Op. The 'caring', 'politically active' chain that charges outrageous prices to some of the poorest in the land!

The second thought is that Lidl and Aldi offer a pretty downmarket shopping experience (assuming you care about these things) and that they haven't really inhibited Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda from imposing eye-watering price rises during the past year.

As I say, I've no real axe to grind but I'm not much more of a fan of Budgens and the two German giants than I am of the big three or four.

If you actually ask people - as they have done near me - there is no doubt that they seem willing to put up with the horror of an identikit Big Four store, rather put up with small store pricing.

They may be wrong according to some but it's what people seem to want.

Happy_Hermit

A._Badger wrote: »

As a matter of interest (and I'm not being sarcastic - I'm genuinely interested in how people think about these things) in what way do you feel that Budgens (or Aldi for that matter) is any better than any other supermarket chain?

Good question. Ethical Consumer has a helpful, but limited, page you can play about with but sadly, new user = no linkies (google ethical consumer buyers guides supermarkets and it is the first result Budgens is pretty much best out of a bad lot!)


My feelings on this are that I would like to get away from using supermarkets but have over the years managed to fall hook, line and sinker for the ease that they offer ( all under one roof and delivered to the door is really very seducing for a lazy one like me!). My aim is to avoid the 'Big Four' to begin with and then to slowly change my habits so that I am no longer using any supermarkets. I know that I would fail if I were to try to change my habits over night (old habits do die hard) but a gradual change is more do-able.

I live near to a thriving market town where a Tesco is starting to move in on - I grew up in a thriving village that died when an out of town Morrisons was built nearby and I would hate to have something like that happen here. I know that my one little spend will not make a huge difference, but I really want to do all that I can to support my local, independent shops.

davenport151

In our area we have seen Tesco come and monopolize the area. We have an extra just outside of town, a smaller one towards an outskirts village, a large one near us. Plus random Tesco expresses (one in our village). The competition is a large sainburys nearby plus an Asda. Slightly further away is a Budgens. Aldi & Iceland the other side of town. There's also a butchers in the next village where I work. I do think they have taken over too much. Plus I like to think i'm also getting back into habits of days gone by when we shopped for what we needed, walked to the shops etc. Too much influence has been put on supermarkets. Yes I do get the point that perhaps there isnt much difference between them. May be old fashioned of me but thats how I feel. As to the point of prices theres some great offers to be had at Budgens and co-op with no temptation to perhaps buy more than needed.

Sharon87

I'm a person who usually only shops at the Big 4. I have a large Tesco very near to where I live and a small Sainsburys a mile away. At my old house I use to use some of the local shops on the high street, they had a good butchers that I occasionally got joints for a Sunday roast and sometimes got eggs from there too. But I don't even know of any local butchers in my area. And I doubt I've be able to get a nice pork joint or bacon as I live in a very Jewish area! I live in London so no farmers market near me, and no car.

I would love to try to this challenge, well shop less in supermarkets, but my location isn't really viable. I decided that I won't shop much at Tesco, as I hate that place, but it is very convenient (24 hour store). I go there if it's late and I haven't got anything in I fancy for dinner and go for the Whoopsies. I prefer Sainsburys out of the Big 4, quality is better (but not as good as local places and M&S)

Good luck to everyone who can do this.

Victoria2322

Hello, I think this is a great idea if it is possible. I have recently moved to a village where the 'old' stores are being taken over by bigger stores. Luckly people are still going in them. I am going to be doing something similar, i am going to buy my veg from the market as I can twice as much for what I get at the supermarket even with the deals and I always get bargains. My meat is bought from a butchers in a nearby town and the quality is better and the deals are great! I will be buying everything else from bargain stores as we have got quite a few near us!