a month without supermarket - new challenge for 2011 starts at post 1013

hex2

That is brilliant Kittie. I think you are very lucky with local food, and I will keep on loooking for somehting similar here.

mama67

anguk wrote: »

It's not just the supermarkets that are killing local businesses but also the cost of living. My milkman called on Friday for his money (he calls once a fortnight) and said he's had to drop Saturday's delivery round because of the cost of diesel, he can now only deliver Mon-Fri. It's not a problem for me because he'll just leave Saturday's milk on a Friday now but it just shows how these small businesses are feeling the pinch, he had a choice of putting his prices up (meaning some people may cancel) or dropping a day.

That is exactly what happened with my milkman about a year ago, as wea re rural he has long driving stretches between village deliveries, mine went from M,W,F to just M & F I don't think it helps either that there are only a couple of us where I live that have the milk delivered

Alison_Funnell

I looked into having a milkman again - even in the middle of town ours will only deliver 3 days a week. Also there are no deliveries in my area so it's a no. I wonder if the dairies could have a small 'counter' so some people could buy that way?

mama67 - thank you for your sig. We are starting allottment gardening this year and I love the idea of keeping a productivity log.

lil_me

My spending is done for January and not a penny in MrT, Asda, Sainsbugs, Morrisons etc

I've spent some in the Co-op, enjoyed looking for other shops.

Plans for Feb are find/visit the other farm shops, find out what extras my milkman is doing, hunt to see if any veg box schemes still deliver locally as I've moved since my last one, try another butchers out, think that will do

Lily-Lu

Kittie - it sounds as though it's been a possitive experience for you and I'm pleased to hear it's worked so well and you're going to carry on:D

My last visit to a supermarket was early December and although I've come across a few basic things that I haven't managed to find locally, nothing has been so desperately needed that I've had to give in.
I'm a few miles outide the City centre and don't actually like living in the City, but I count my blessings for it regarding the no - supermarket issue. Most things I can get locally if I scout around long enough; even the greengrocer's sell some dried herbs, spices, peas and beans.
Talking of the greengrocer's, I actually had my first fruit and veg home - delivery from them on Saturday. I'd spent about £!4 and it was too much to carry home on my own, so I asked if they could drop it off for me. He was more than happy to do so and didn't charge a penny extra for doing it. After I left the shop I'd popped into another shop to pick up butter and lard; then walked home and no sooner had I taken my coat off and started to un-pack my other shopping; he was knocking on the door with it
I was also told that if I wasn't planning to go down to the shops, but still needed fruit and veg, I could give them a ring with my order; they would get it packed and I could pay cash-on-delivery:T

From asking one simple question "I know you deliver sacks of potatoes, but would you consider delivering fruit and veg"? I've got exactly what I wanted and even more than I expected:T

Good luck to everybody that is continuing to try and find local independent shops / schemes for their food:)

aliwali

Where did everyone go? Been reading this thread from the beginning over a few nights and got all inspired. Then got to the end and the last post was January! Is it because this challenge is not sustainable long term?

Anyway I'm going to try to do this challenge this month if anyone wants to join me. I feel very guilty already as we have a butchers opposite tesco about a 10 min walk down the road and I never use it! My guilt turned to annoyance with myself when I went there today and spent £10 less than I would gave spent in T's. For this I got free range chicken and organic milk which I wouldn't normally buy in T's.

Then went to local farm shop and spent about a pound more than I would have in T's.

I have also done large order with Shipton Mill four flour to name my own bread for a month. Works out at about 70p a loaf and although I won't get as many slices I'm sure it will taste better.

Will do fish from the Market in Saturday and then assess what else I need to buy. So not going too badly so far.

Hope some more people will join me this month and start to shop a bit more locally.

grumswifie

Hi there

My cupboards are bursting at the seams so am going to give it a whirl. I do go shopping for my mum on at mon usually at sainsbugs. but will refrain from additional trips. Freezer is pretty full too, so with a bit of planning should be able to go at least 3 weeks, would be delighted to last the whole month!

Good luck to anyone else who is up for it,:T

hex2

aliwali - It was a one month challenge but I know a few of us made permanent changes, I used to spend 80% of my budget with the big chains, now it is 20% and falling. I still avoid the big stupidmarkets as much as I can. Meat is from the butchers (although I buy RTC chicken from the co-op), I have a fruit &veg box and milk from the local milkman (not milk&more), pet food is from the garden centre or farm shop, household from the village hardware shop. Looking forward to the deli/bakery that is opening in the village shortly.

I still haven't bought any fish though.

aliwali

My trip into town was mainly succesful today. The market was good for fruit and veg and the stall holder I went to was really nice, chatty and helpful. I also got a couple of bits from the health food store. The only thing I couldn't find at all was butter, any ideas on that one? I did have to go to Iceland for yoghurts aswell but it is on the high street so I don't mind too much about that.

Interestingly the fish stall which I thought might be reasonable was more expensive than Mr T's, so definately think I am going to do an order with Martins seafresh as they are about the same as the supermarket cost wise.

My flour from shipton Mill arrived today and I have already made a split tin loaf and 6 pitta breads for lunch at my sisters tomorrow. I told her this and she said 'why have you bothered making them when they are so cheap to buy?' I don't think I will ever get through to her!

My next investigation is how to make my own yoghurt, do I need a machine or can it be done another way?

[Deleted User]

I only have milk and tomatos to buy this week so my shopping bill will be very small.I have far too much food already stored in my cupboards and fridge freezer so I shall only be buying what is urgently needed this month and definitely not from a big supermarket.