Enough. We're walking away from supermarkets

frugal_shopper_2

It is getting more challenging to avoid the big supermarkets as the smaller shops keep closing. Rosspa recently closed so one of my sources of online shopping went, the local greengrocers went a few years ago as the owners retired but couldn't find anyone to take over, the markets get smaller every year. The local health food shop made national news this week as they closed last friday along with the cafe run by the same company which was always incredibly busy. The bakery is on the verge of closing.
If things carry on like this then I may end up being forced to shop at one of the big supermarkets which is something I haven't had to do for about 15 years.

Edwardia

There are a number of garden share schemes and community gardening schemes around the UK which match up people with spare land/bits of garden to people wanting to grow food for themselves.

http://www.farmgarden.org.uk/home/local-food-project/growing-trends/615-land-sharing-schemes

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/02/garden-sharing-growing-vegetables

Usually the schemes have volunteers who are experienced gardeners who help with advice for newbies

Kirri

kittycatface wrote: »

Only thing we really need supermarket for is quorn

One possibility is to switch to Redwoods/Fry's - if you like them? Only thinking as I was eating Quorn up to last November when I did a vegan month and had to find alternatives - and tried the above brands and ended up shopping in Holland & Barrett more. But would also be available from places like Goodness Direct then as an alternative. Is more expensive though as Quorn is always on offer in comparison. I'm wondering whether to reduce my use of it altogether.. but it's so useful...


sams247, I love this thread, I would love to do this as I hate supermarkets (apart from Waitrose) and use others occasionally when I have to. I grow veg but need to supplement in winter. I don't have any good alternative supplies of organic food that nearby ie it's a special trip to a specialist shop rather than being able to pop in as I need and, if working, deliveries are no good. There are some fantastic indie organic shops about if one is lucky enough to live near one though! My town doesn't have a butcher/baker (not that I would need to use them as don't eat meat and bake own bread) and is totally monopolised by bland chain shops. Would love to find a Suma Co-op ordering type thing I could get my dried goods from. I find unfortunately that the Ecover products I like are nearly always cheaper in supermarkets and even more so are often on offer.

cashewy

Id been avoiding Quorn after someone posted it contains eggs, looks like its true. Just had a look at the Quorn website to double-check and it seems their products arent vegan, the info on each item (mince, chicken style pieces etc) lists rehydrated egg white in the ingredients.

Kirri

cashewy wrote: »

Id been avoiding Quorn after someone posted it contains eggs, looks like its true. Just had a look at the Quorn website to double-check and it seems their products arent vegan, the info on each item (mince, chicken style pieces etc) lists rehydrated egg white in the ingredients.

Yep hence why I had to give them up when going temporarily vegan, think some may have milk products in as well? Also the new items in the Linda McC range are not vegan either.

But I've been pleased enough with the Fry's and Redwoods stuff, it's just not available in the supermarkets, seems to be more health shops only. The Fry's burgers are very good though but not cheap! I do find all the vegan items I've tried a bit salty for my tastes however.

claz83

Some local places to try: Hare Hatch Sheeplands on the A4 has a fantastic farm shop. And JS Rook butcher and deli in Holyport is also well worth a visit.

Edwardia

Yogurt maker
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/3440/Electric-Yoghurt-Maker?src=gpelc&gclid=CNDK1NiCgbUCFYLHtAodVRUABA

Yogurt mixes including organic and fruit
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/brands/easiyo?intcmp=INTSRCH:easiyo

sams247

Oh yes, I used to live at Holyport, not been there for years, I'll take a drive past and look see thank you. And I have been to Sheeplands before, will return to them too.

I did well at the market, bought a load of veg for £5, including the biggest jacket potatoes I have ever seen, 3 huge ones for £1.50. I didnt get any fruit. I also bought cheese from a lovely cheese guy who told me never to buy anything that wasnt British and offered to let me taste whatever I wanted to from his selection of lovely cheese. I paid similar prices to those in the supermarket but a nicer experience I think.

They did have a lady selling cakes and bread but it was snowing hard by this time so I never even gave them a glance.

In the evening I made a spinach and mushroom lasagne with the tomatoes, spinach and mushrooms from the market and felt very at one with the Earth. ha ha! But its a beginning.

I have managed to source a place to buy fresh herbs online. I prefer fresh herbs, even if I freeze them they taste so much nicer than dried I think. For anyone interested its http://www.herbtable.com/fresh-cut-culinary-herbs-11-c.asp Obviously I havent got any to comment on yet but when my order comes I'll let you know what I think.

Do join in, the more the merrier and lets see how we all get on

My blog has been hatched and is taking on its early form, now to find a little time to actually write on the page........

sams247

uh oh, just went to order my herbs but delivery is over £6 I may well keep looking awhile

sams247

Well its been several days now.......... I had great fun at the weekend visiting various gfarmers markets, farm shops, independent food shops and small grocers. I also spent many a happy hour baking and blanching and freezing, there is no more room in either freezer and our cupboards are full. I have so far spent less than I usually do at Te**o and Wait***e. And, purely for research purposes of course, I had tea and cake in a couple of very nice places too. So far so good.

I bought some amazing salmon at loch fyne, really good quality and we'll use it all up. And I even found some dishwasher tablets in the farm shop !??

Bread has not been easy yet, I bought some at the farmers market, but need to get to grips with making my own I think. Or need to find excellent bakery nearby.