Flavour and quality or cost?

Allexie

Curry_Queen wrote:

Ahhh yes, you do pay a premium up there don't you


Have things not improved in recent times then?

Doesn't seem like it...two 'Farm Shops' near to me...one sells pineapples and bananas...ermmm scuse me 'local produce'????

The other is full of 'Aunty so-and-so's' cakes..and 'Granny things' bread and biscuits.....only local produce I've seen recently is asparagus at £3.50 for a bunch of about 10 spears.......

Curry_Queen

Allexie wrote:

Doesn't seem like it...two 'Farm Shops' near to me...one sells pineapples and bananas...ermmm scuse me 'local produce'????

The other is full of 'Aunty so-and-so's' cakes..and 'Granny things' bread and biscuits.....only local produce I've seen recently is asparagus at £3.50 for a bunch of about 10 spears.......

Ouch!!!! :eek:


I suppose they're still trying to recoup their losses of recent years but it does seem a little unfair on local residents that just want good quality produce at a reasonable price.

Do you not fall into any of the Lincolnshire catchment areas for veg box deliveries where you are? I'm sure they'd be more reasonable than local stuff, especially as N/NE Yorks isn't particularly renowned for arable produce, and especially not bananas and pineapples :rotfl:

Queenie

Allexie wrote:

....... The other is full of 'Aunty so-and-so's' cakes..and 'Granny things' bread and biscuits.....only local produce I've seen recently is asparagus at £3.50 for a bunch of about 10 spears.......

:eek: :eek: :eek: But asparagus is in SEASON now!!! Cheeky, blighters!

MATH

If you can afford quality over cost you are fortunate. I've only recently found myself in this position after years of having no choice but to buy cheap. To be honest I've not been that impressed with the organic, top price, top quality beef or lamb from my local butcher and can tell very little difference from Tesco bog standard. Chicken is much nicer but I've shied away from upscaling too many things incase I spoil my taste buds and then have the pain of lowering my standards if things get desperate again.

Queenie

Curry_Queen wrote:

..... On the bright side though, I have a friend who's coming to visit me fairly soon so maybe I'll ask her to go and pick up a load of meat from there first, just as long as I can clear enough freezer space to store it LOL!

Great idea! I also agree with your other comment, it really is better to have less but better quality rather than more of "lesser" quality.

Allexie - just curious, did you check out Big Barn ? It might even be worth driving that little bit further once a month or whenever so that you can reap the benefits?

elvis_bloggs

I just get on with it and eat anything, I'm not fussed.

Allexie

Queenie wrote:

Allexie - just curious, did you check out Big Barn ? It might even be worth driving that little bit further once a month or whenever so that you can reap the benefits?

Its a public transport jobbie for me I'm afraid apart from odd jaunts with friends and though there are a couple of veg-box schemes on the go locally - they just don't cater for people living on their own....you get ooodles of a few things...whereas I want a few of ooodles of things (if you see what I mean!!! )

Queenie

Blast! No one to club together with then? Ok, daft idea. *sigh* I can see that in your particular circumstances and area that it's a toughie, sorry Allexie, I can imagine that being most frustating!

MrsMW

Curry_Queen wrote:

I know what you mean Queenie, and there's only one place I'd choose to buy all my meat if I could (was mentioned in one of the threads not so long ago) but can no longer travel to go and stock up

On the bright side though, I have a friend who's coming to visit me fairly soon so maybe I'll ask her to go and pick up a load of meat from there first, just as long as I can clear enough freezer space to store it LOL!

I used to buy my meat there as well before we moved "south".

Curry_Queen

Allexie wrote:

Its a public transport jobbie for me I'm afraid apart from odd jaunts with friends and though there are a couple of veg-box schemes on the go locally - they just don't cater for people living on their own....you get ooodles of a few things...whereas I want a few of ooodles of things (if you see what I mean!!! )

Aye, I can see where this would be a problem for you as most schemes I've seen available require you to place regular weekly/fortnightly deliveries. I guess I've been lucky to find one where I can just phone through an order as and when I need it, and being local delivery is free. I suppose your local farmer's markets are aimed at tourists too, which is unfair to the locals.

Obviously not knowing your situation I'm not sure if this would be feasible for you, but you could try asking around in your local pub whether there are people in the area that grow and sell their own produce, in gardens or allotments, and you can often find local farmers that will sell you a sheep or pig and have it jointed for you at the slaughterhouse, assuming you have sufficient freezer storage.

I know you mention transport is a problem, so I'm assuming you don't have a car, but if you have friends/family who do then you often find people placing tables of produce by their front gates for passers-by to buy from them.