Struggling along as best I can

cbsexec

.I went to Asda the other day which is not my normal supermarket and I was shocked at their prices.   

nannygladys

WinterWarrior - i do make my own short crust pastry, but the pastry in the recipe was for filo pastry which I didn't have, I had some puff pastry in the freezer so I used that instead🙂

nannygladys

cbsexec - I usually go to a local Asda, but I also use a small community pantry sometimes and a free fresh food hub but I haven't used the two latter ones for a few months. If I can manage I'll use the sm but if I'm having a tough time then I'll use the pantry and hub.i think Asda is one of the cheaper sm for me.

nannygladys

At the moment it's getting darker by the minute and colder as well! At least it's getting a little lighter each day now - Roll  on spring and summer!

I had the pleasure of the company of dgs yesterday for lunch (whilst DD had lunch with an old school friend) and we had some pie and veggies. He wolfed the pie down super quick and asked for more but left most of the veggies😀 so I gathered he enjoyed it! Theres still enough for me to have tonight as well.

I've had another two letters today regarding my internet but as they both were dated before I spoke to both providers then I'm ignoring them! 

Right I'm off to get my tea, I've put sweet potato wedges in the air fryer and having the remaining pie and baked beans!!! Proper old school!!
Nannyg 

cbsexec

I usually shop at Aldi and found my not quite local Asda dearer but it may be because of what I buy 🙂.  You are lucky to have the community pantry and free food hub.   Nothing like that in my area 

nannygladys

I found another community pantry in the next village today. They do some food but they also also do a veg/fruit box for £3.50 which  has to be ordered in advance, I've seen the boxes and they look really good with a good variety in them, they are in partnership with a local independent green grocers, so later this week I will be picking one up (I ordered it today). I think with amount in it I won't need to use it weekly but probably every 3 weeks or so, but I'll decide when I pick my box up if it's something I can use regularly.

Other news, well there isn't any really, I haven't been out anywhere or seen anyone, all DDS have phoned over the weekend though, so I have spoken to someone 🙂

I made a red wine casserole today which will last a few days, it's very tasty - must be the wine. I just have another splash of wine left for a risotto later in the week and then the bottle can be recycled. Tomorrow is dgs day so it'll be easy to just heat up when I get in.
Nannyg 

nannygladys

cbsexec - finding hubs and community shops is sometimes a problem, and it seems to differ all over the country they usually have FB pages but not everyone sees them. The free food hub I sometimes use is very hit and miss whether you actually get anything, some people seem to take huge amounts and leave very little for others!! I know they don't want any leftovers there but I think some sort of organization wouldn't come amiss and I'm not being horrible about it but I have been there when a mother with two little ones was pushed out of the way and became upset as she couldn't pick much up. So I don't go there very much at all now. The community shop is fine though and you can buy ten items for £5 to but whilst I'm able I still use a sm.

cbsexec

I think my area is regarded as “well off” but I know there are people here that would welcome the chance to have some cheaper or “free” food.   They are the hidden ones - single parents, people on low wages etc.  I’m trying to get something set up.  Wish me luck 

KxMx

Our town is very fortunate to have a series of weekly pop up shops at various churches. £2 fills up a bag and people are free to use more than one location a week. Fresh food is usually available as well. 

I haven't visited myself, but what they do is put any fresh leftovers outside after the session has ended. 
I do sometimes pass by at that time and have taken the odd pack of rolls. 

nannygladys

cbsexec - I must admit I feel a little guilty when I get free/cheap food as I seem to manage ok, but I can't save anything and I have a couple of outstanding jobs to get done on the house, so I'm really trying to cut down even more. 
Good luck with looking into setting something up, it is needed in all areas, even my eldest uses the local initiative for fresh veggies that comes into school and both her and hubbie work. Everyone is feeling the 'pinch'