Grocery challenge whilst buying organic & Fairtrade: How much for a 2 people?

climbgirl

I remember the programme now, it was a Dispatches programme on the govt's environmental claims and it basically went about dispelling the myths about the reductions in carbon emissions they claim they'll be able to make.

The food miles thing was so interesting. People keep saying buy local, buy local. Which is great on the surface of it. But when the guy actually sat down and did the maths about the required land to grow all the food we need....it just isn't going to work! There just isn't enough landmass in the UK to grow everything we consume. The numbers don't add up.

Just because something comes from a local producer, doesn't necessarily make it more environmentally friendly. I read a study recently that looked into French wine production compared to NZ wine production. People thought that by buying the French wine they were choosing a more local and hence, environmentally friendly option. But when they examined the growing, harvest, production and shipping methods (France by plane, NZ by sea in this case), the French choice wasn't the better option in terms of green credentials.

The same was true of biofuel. The govt claimed that by 2010 (I think that was the date) 5% of all fuel used would be biofuel, made from things like chip fat or rape seed. But to get enough chip fat, we'd all need to eat chips for all 3 meals of every day. And that would give us enough biofuel to make about 1% of the fuel. So to get the rest of of 5% claimed, we'd have to grow rape seed to make it. But to get enough to reach 5%, we'd need to use the entire landmass of the UK. Which obviously isn't feasible. So it's imported. But it comes from third world countries who are often using land that's reclaimed from rainforests to grow the crops that will make them money...which isn't particularly environmental. And added to that, the shipping costs to get it to the UK to use as biofuel negate any environmental savings in carbon emissions. In fact, it creates more so we'd be more environmentally friendly in a case like this, to just keep using oil!

It was an interesting programme. What I took from it was that not all environmental claims are as black and white as they claim! You need to look at the wider picture.

rayday2

grodnogirl wrote: »

We buy organic food most of the times. Our income is not high but health is priceless. Eating organic is a massive step towards a healthier you. Although my husband does not really support me in this. He says " I have been eating non organic food all my life and I am healthy". But I think non organic 10 years ago was much healthier than now.
Family of 3, spend about £100-£120 on weekly food shopping

Crikey family of 5 and pets spend about £50-£60 and our fresh food is hours from the ground!

I think I am with your husband on this one, the main thing is we eat fresh meat, fruit and vegetables. The average number of fruit and veg portions eaten a day in this country is 2! Now that is shocking.

10 years ago we did less research into food safety and most the pesisides used then are now banned so your argument is pretty weak!

ceridwen

Hi

I want my food to be organic, local if possible and fairtrade if not. These can be conflicting priorities frequently - so I personally make organic my absolute priority and most of my food is organic. A lot depends on your reasons for being food-aware I guess. There is a lot of cancer in my family and I am aware that the statistics indicate that 1 in 3 British people get cancer. That is the basic reason I buy organic as far as poss - as I dont want to be a statistic. I cant really afford the price premium - but then I figure I also cant afford private health care and/or losing income being off work ill - and I am VERY VERY intolerant indeed of the thought of my having any illness at all (part of this being the awareness that I live on my own, so have no option but to be well enough to do everything no matter what).


As for costs - I don't really know what my food costs. I estimate it probably was about £35 per week before I found MSE website - since following all the hints on this site :money: I would think its probably reduced to about £25.

I guess its basically down to priorities - mine are food, health and warmth. Other peoples are cars, sky tv and holidays (holidays - oh I wish!)

lynzpower

1. Organic produce ( in supermarkets) is often reduced at the end of the day. Do look out for it.

2) have you tried the co-op, and dare I say it Marks and Spencers? I dont buy a lot from there, but coffee, tea, chocolate cocoa etc is all fairtrade. Adittionally, for everything they make, all thier eggs are free range ( for what thats worth!) Waitrose has good ethical standards for a supermarket.

You can buy in bulk from traidcraft too, and waitrose do fairly traded rice which Ive never seen elsewhere.

It can be hard to do on a budget, but starting by buying british, seasonal produce ( cheaper from the gluts!) is the best way to start IMHO.

danielleindebt

i buy free range eggs from supermarkets, free range chicken breasts from super markets (although i am sourcing a local butchers) milk i buy the local produce one from asda 2 6pints for £3. (local shop charges £1.25 for 2.5pints)

i just dont think i could eat battery chicken since watching hugh fernlywhittingstall sp? i would rather not eat the chicken at all if i couldnt get free range or organic.

danielleindebt

another question though - when it has class a on chicken what is that? i refuse to buy it as it doesnt say free range or organic. threre is no explanation on the packaging as to what class a is.