Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass

I am going for Sensible September and Organised October after reading @KajiKita's diary. Not about deprivation, more about pragmatism and preserving resources food (used not wasted) and finances (saved). I might need to buy carrots though as storing carrots after removing them from the fridge, in the bottom of a gastro-norm pan with no ventilation makes them go mouldy after 5-6 days because the pan has no ventilation and they were going to be covered (another note for DH!)

Suffolk_lass

It has really been playing on my mind that my friend who coordinates a food bank confessed to crying last week when they ran out of food. The supermarkets used to give them crates upon crates but suddenly they are receiving poor quality bread and veg and nothing else. I have just messaged her to suggest if they don't already do so, they could ask the local allotment societies if they can put a crate and a notice asking for any surplus. Seeing @foxgloves post about courgettes made me think of it again. 

I've made three loaf cakes (courgette carrot and orange) thinking I would freeze but now realise there is no room to do so. I have also made courgette soup for lunches today and tomorrow (just a small amount).

DH bought carrots yesterday (45p) in the local coop. He had to go to the Post Office to post a few eBay sales. It won't make us rich but some of the stuff we are selling was included in something else we were buying on FB-M and I am selling them as they weren't the bits we were primarily buying. If they reimburse us for the other stuff it is all good.

themadvix

I think the problem with the supermarkets will be that as people have to stretch budgets further less stuff will be left in the YS sections as those slightly higher up the economic ladder than food bank users will be snapping them up. This is what the supermarkets give the charities (as it's what Olio gets -  where there isn't a charity willing to collect Olio steps in - if a charity wants the slot, it goes straight back to the charity). And yes, it's mostly naff bread/pastries and some veg (but in my experience not a lot), with sandwiches on their use by date - potentially of less use to FB users than for distribution among Olio (at least the naff bread is filling). I just can't believe that the government have let the country get to the point where NHS staff are widely having to use food banks - it beggars belief.

The problem for the food banks will be a lack of protein for their customers - not so easily grown on an allotment. On my plot (half a standard allotment) I don't seem to have enough space to create a surplus (my courgettes have been taking a break, so not even too many of those now!) - and what I do have is soon swapped or gifted (I've found there's definitely been a bit of expectation among friends that if I have an allotment, there'll be stuff for them, which I've found a bit weird tbh! Sorry, bit of a tangent there.)

Karmacat

Suffolk_lass said:

It has really been playing on my mind that my friend who coordinates a food bank confessed to crying last week when they ran out of food. The supermarkets used to give them crates upon crates but suddenly they are receiving poor quality bread and veg and nothing else. I have just messaged her to suggest if they don't already do so, they could ask the local allotment societies if they can put a crate and a notice asking for any surplus. Seeing @foxgloves post about courgettes made me think of it again. 

Oh my ... that's so awful   and this is before the winter hits

themadvix said:

The problem for the food banks will be a lack of protein for their customers - not so easily grown on an allotment. On my plot (half a standard allotment) I don't seem to have enough space to create a surplus (my courgettes have been taking a break, so not even too many of those now!) - and what I do have is soon swapped or gifted (I've found there's definitely been a bit of expectation among friends that if I have an allotment, there'll be stuff for them, which I've found a bit weird tbh! Sorry, bit of a tangent there.)

That's extremely weird to expect gifting from your allotment!  Growing protein ... hmmm ... nuts and seeds, I suppose.  Hazel grows like weeds around here, and there's sunflowers.  But yes, the space is *extremely* tricky. 

themadvix

I am growing protein KC, in the form of beans - most people grow them in any case, but I'm growing some specifically to dry and use as I would over the winter (and it's looking to be a good harvest too). But you'd need an awful lot of space to grow enough to keep one person in protein, let alone enough to gift too. That said, I have a better idea of spacing now for next year - could fit more in in some places and spread other things out more too. With hazel and sunflowers you have to also contend hugely with wildlife!

Back to the food bank thing - we are definitely noticing more desperate people who are surviving on Olio freebies than previously too. And while I'll collect things that have been around for a while or there are lots of (e.g. today I'm collecting some rolls, but the lady had 18 packs to give away), I know I don't need the stuff that's highly popular or contested (usually protein), so I don't request that. If it's going to a home instead of the bin, that's the main aim - if it's really needed by someone then definitely better for them to have it. And my collections are snapped up these days - more so than ever before - there'll be a few french sticks left, if that.

badmemory

When I was in my late twenties in the mid 1970s I used to worry about driving back from a late night out, who knew I would have the same worries recur when I reached my mid 70s.  At least I no longer drive at night.

Karmacat

themadvix said:

I am growing protein KC, in the form of beans - most people grow them in any case, but I'm growing some specifically to dry and use as I would over the winter (and it's looking to be a good harvest too). But you'd need an awful lot of space to grow enough to keep one person in protein, let alone enough to gift too. That said, I have a better idea of spacing now for next year - could fit more in in some places and spread other things out more too. With hazel and sunflowers you have to also contend hugely with wildlife!

Oh of course!  D'oh!  

Awful about the food bank crisis - nothing displays the overall problems like that.  

Suffolk_lass

Right, FF update. We went to John Lewis and I went in while DH stayed outside with the little babe magnet (naturally he was chatting to a woman making a fuss of the dog when I came out (this happens every time I go in a shop and he and the dog wait outside). I digress. I took my tape measure and had just checked the height of a Bosch machine that was more spacious inside when the chap approached me and said it was 70 cm wide, not the 60cm I have room for. I briefly explained my dilemma. He said, you don't need another FF. Go home, send the one that doesn't fit back and put the old one back in. Leave it a few hours, then pre-chill it before refilling it and it will last 20 years. It's a trust thing, I said. Yes, but the trust is your husband to shut the door, not the appliance. Save the £900. Proper John Lewis service. I am so impressed.

The FF does not fit, it has to go. The salesman was a little surprised but he accepted this. He wanted me to box it up (no problem but it will be outdoors under the loggia as the box makes it too big to get through the door. They will do that. Monday next week. In the meantime, the old camping plug in coldbox (fridge) is in the dining room so we don't have to go out to get milk and whatnot 

Karmacat

Blissful news about genuine advice from JL.  I'm so happy to hear this!

Also laughing at your husband looking after the babe magnet   

themadvix

I'm with Karma, on both points 😂 Fingers crossed the FF fix works.