Cost or conscience?

cutestkids

Our market is on once a week and it not very good for fruit and veg everything is very ripe and only lasts a day or two most is dearer than Lidl anyway.

On the other hand there is a great stall there that does eggs, bacon ,pies, sausage, steak pies, cakes and breads so I make a point of going there as everything is very nice.

Overall it has to be cost that comes first for me with a growing family.

There was a time that I would only buy free range eggs and chicken but that is just not possible all the time, I do it when I can or when there is an offer on but there are times when it just is not possible.

PipneyJane

adelight wrote: »

Where is this? I've never heard of it before but sounds interesting.

I am cost over conscience every time right now, though that does include buying most f&v at the market where it is a bit cheaper than the SM. I would love to buy free range or local eggs and meat and will when I can afford that sort of increase. Just switching the eggs would cost around an extra £100 a year!
The farm shops near me are extortionate. A dozen eggs, whole chicken, spuds, bunch carrots, greens and 1/2 dozen apples will set you back well over £20.

The farm shop belongs to Osterley Park Farm, part of Osterley Park in West London. The estate is owned by the National Trust and has 725 acres of farmland. It's a country oasis in the middle of the London suburbs. All the vegetables are grown on site, and are strictly seasonal. They grow old and unusual varieties, too (purple cauliflower, round courgettes). Their eggs come from a poultry farm tucked away beside the A40 at Ickenham. While the honey they sell comes either from their own hives or from local bee keepers. (The only thing that's "imported" is the bird seed they sell in 1lb bags.)

If you can get to Osterley, the farm shop is half way down the long drive way to the "Big House". It's a series of trestle tables, just inside the gate of the farm house. Very basic. No refrigeration. Bring your own bags.

I was there this morning. Here are some of the prices I remember:-

large onions - 50p/bag of two or three
huge onions - 50p each
carrots - 50p per 0.5kg bag
very late parsnips - 80p per 0.5kg bag
beetroot - £1.20 per bunch
spinach - £1.50 per double bunch (enough for 2 - 3 meals)
broad beans - £1.50 per bag
courgettes - £1.20 per 0.5kg bag
eggs - £1.80/dozen
broccoli - different prices depending on size but the largest are £1.50

Everything is running very late this year. They've only just started harvesting courgettes. I mentioned to the farmer that I was surprised to still see parsnips and broad beans. He reckons the growing season is at least two months behind.

meg72

I do like to support my local market, but I would not do so if it was more expensive, fortunately it is cheaper than the SM. and very good quality.

margaretclare

Conscience, environment, how animals are treated and how they're slaughtered. My conscience is something I have to live with and if I didn't listen to it, it wouldn't allow me to sleep of nights!

DH and I try not to buy processed food, anything with a long list of ingredients that we can't pronounce and don't know what they do. We're also keen on cutting down 'food miles' as far as we can. For instance, we go to our local baker where we get his fresh-baked GI loaves. They have no additives for 'shelf life' - they fly off his shelves and if you get there too late he's sold out! 'Use him or lose him'. His large loaf costs £1.95. Organic Country Life milk delivered to the doorstep costs £0.80p a pint. Worth every penny.