Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Can’t get food ANYWHERE

254 replies

GaaaaarlicBread · 20/03/2020 08:21

Husband and I don’t drive , my husband is however, currently having lessons and close to passing but that’ll be a couple of months away as his lessons have been cancelled .
Anyway besides the point, we have two supermarkets by us. An Aldi and a Tesco (Tesco is 40 min walk though and buses have been made less regular now). Neither store have any food, no exaggeration . I have been after work to aldi and husband has too (he finishes late so we thought they might have restocked but no).
We tried to order online last night- Ocado have suspended online shop as they have too many deliveries- Tesco, Asda, Morrison’s, Iceland and Co-op have zero slots until end of April. What do we do? Seriously? We have frozen bits from our last shop but nothing to last us more than a week.
I’m pregnant , so being extra cautious about going out other than work, my husband works shifts and we literally can’t get anything . We have loo roll , shampoo you know normal toiletries but food we have a bit of milk left , and a few tinned things and cous cous etc. A few people on here might say ‘why have you left it until you have nothing’ but we have been trying and trying and it’s getting worse because people are selfish and bulk buy unnecessarily. We both work for the nhs so work long days and this is just ridiculous .
We ended up buying nappies etc for baby even though I’m not quite half way through the pregnancy yet but every single shop is out of baby essentials too so we thought sod it we will get some in case it’s still like this in 4 or so months time.

Any ideas what we can do? Please be kind .

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 20/03/2020 08:48

You have to go early - go by bike with a backpack - walk and get a taxi back - it can be done

horseymum · 20/03/2020 08:48

Asian shops- ours had huge sacks of rice, flour, lentils, onions- they would last you for weeks! See it as an opportunity to try different foods and you may find more available than you thought. Hope you manage to get something soon.

19lottie82 · 20/03/2020 08:51

I’m not sure if it will be similar where you are, but here the supermarkets are bare but the smaller shops all seem to be pretty well stocked?

MojoMoon · 20/03/2020 08:53

Asian/Turkish shops? Surely there must be another corner shop less than a 40min walk away?

Ours still have loads of food. No idea how they do it. Plus cleaning stuff - might not be the exact brand choice you would make but it does the same job.

Petrol station with a reasonable sized store?

Fernie6491 · 20/03/2020 08:58

I have read that Tesco are going to have their first hour of trading on a Sunday exclusively for NHS workers and their own staff. Hopefully yours is doing this too. Should give you half a chance - good luck, and take care of yourself.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/03/2020 08:59

Tell us more precisely where you are please. Maybe someone or even I can help.

Mummyoflittledragon · 20/03/2020 09:00

Fernie
Cross post. That’s brilliant!

Iusedtobeapartygirl · 20/03/2020 09:00

I'm also in the East Midlands.

Yesterday we had a huge fruit and veg box delivery from a little business called Kerry's Fresh. They also have some other stuff too, such as dairy, eggs, bread etc.

Obviously I don't know exactly where you are but worth a look.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 20/03/2020 09:03

The Aldi near us has been having deliveries 3x a day so worth going in the evening if you can, we managed to get everything we needed,including pasta and rice the other night bar loo rolls.

Standrewsschool · 20/03/2020 09:03

Amazon or amazon pantry

Have you considered companies that supply frozen ready meals?
Wiltshire foods
Oakhouse foods
Cook frozen foods

Porcupineinwaiting · 20/03/2020 09:04

OP get your dh to try smaller corner shop like places and green grocers. They are far better stocked than supermarkets at this point. I did this for my parents yesterday as Tescos looked like it had been looted.

You may have to be a bit creative with what you eat but you will hopefully be able to find something.

EmpressMcSchnozzle · 20/03/2020 09:04

Have a look at covidmutualaid.org/ - there might be a group near you who could help. If there is any chance you can try the smaller stores (the McColls and the like) then you might find at least you could pick up some cereal or some oats or tinned potatoes or something to tide you over. It won't be the cheapest, but the supply chains don't seem to have been disrupted quite as badly (I suppose they're more used to having to restock small amounts regularly?)

M&S are now offering 2 hours a week just for NHS folk - it's not much, but it's a start - www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/19/uk-supermarket-restrictions-what-you-need-to-know

Good luck - it's absurd that it's come to this. And thank you and your partner for the work you do.

Rosa · 20/03/2020 09:10

If everyone STOPPED buying like complete nutters then this situation would stop . EVeryone is concentrating on tactics to try and get there and grab 10kg of bananas or whatever I am on day 10 of lockdown and shops are open as normal FGS .

Olawisk · 20/03/2020 09:13

The supermarkets are crazy first thing , Aldi had a queue of over 60 people at 6am the other day

Right, so get up early and get in the queue! It’s not rocket science.

Wheret0n0w · 20/03/2020 09:14

@GaaaaarlicBread I’m not much on FB either but got sent this and you might find your local area

Links of local CoVid Support groups on FB / WhatsApp here 👇🏼
Battersea
www.facebook.com/groups/BatterseaMutualAid/
Barnet www.facebook.com/groups/215636692879586/
Bicester www.facebook.com/groups/2675718542657172/?ref=share
Bigging Hill www.facebook.com/groups/249713209357722/
Brent www.facebook.com/groups/202723577488723/
Bromley
www.facebook.com/groups/662431701225604/?ref=share
Camden www.facebook.com/groups/199172994722225/
City of London www.facebook.com/groups/citymutualaid/
Croydon www.facebook.com/groups/croydoncovid19/
Ealing www.facebook.com/groups/207463573829862/
Enfield www.facebook.com/groups/221075632630141/
Greenwich www.facebook.com/groups/2796537337100807/
Hackney www.facebook.com/groups/280285692955390/
Hammersmith www.facebook.com/groups/covidaidhammersmith/
Haringey www.facebook.com/Haringey-Covid-19-Mutual-Aid-100920541545836/
harrow
Https:www.facebook.com/groups/598691574019592/
www.facebook.com/groups/197797838166740
Havering www.facebook.com/groups/231197438280762/

Hounslow www.facebook.com/groups/770869870407640/
islington www.facebook.com/groups/926599381108201/
Kensington - Whatsapp chat group chat.whatsapp.com/IlNils5Wgsm6N7YSrdsJnB

Lambeth
www.facebook.com/groups/214918153220011/

Langley
www.facebook.com/groups/511362889554540/
Lewisham www.facebook.com/groups/906156979855211/
Merton www.facebook.com/groups/563133244302570/
Newham www.facebook.com/groups/202303704194767/
New malden www.facebook.com/groups/956628044751854/
Northwood, NorthwoodHills, Pinner and Ruislip areas
www.facebook.com/CCHNorthwoodRuislipPinner/

The main group is on Nextdoor
nextdoor.co.uk/g/q31lifeii/

Norwood Junction www.facebook.com/groups/515221059407787/
Northolt www.facebook.com/groups/245432179832602/
Putney

www.facebook.com/groups/PutneyCoronavirus/

Redbridge www.facebook.com/groups/200566334584467/
Southwark www.facebook.com/groups/833177740485170/
Stroud Green whatsapp support group chat.whatsapp.com/Bf0nluTxASkIkCvgzagZJH?fbclid=IwAR2-v9yzSaFMkNwYaFMyssPZjFhH_ItZEDaffM1-NokijMH5Ip7TZv0iyCY
Surbiton www.facebook.com/groups/199558584638937/
Soho / Covent Garden www.facebook.com/groups/200134947937638/
Swiss cottage whatsapp chat group
chat.whatsapp.com/EkeXnKzfb9027At44pWobn
Tower Hamlets www.facebook.com/groups/2740546326063053/
Thamesmead Woolwich Royal Aresenal Woolwichm.facebook.com/groups/208541736883593
Twickenham and Richmod www.facebook.com/groups/192558162034859/
Waltham Forest www.facebook.com/groups/233168351049198/
Outside London

Aberdeen: www.facebook.com/groups/2550692921870646/
Aberdeenshire: www.facebook.com/groups/aberdeenshire.mutual.aid/
Bath www.facebook.com/groups/968048970235948/

Combe Down Bath
www.facebook.com/groups/498730990749229/

Barnsley www.facebook.com/Barnsley-Covid-19-mutual-aid-network-108412714119729/
Basingstoke
www.facebook.com/groups/213567713092219/

Blackwood/Oakdale area, South Wales: www.facebook.com/groups/783307942178825/
Beaconsfield www.facebook.com/groups/2275940892702097
Bexley, Kent www.facebook.com/groups/2583388498570628/
Beverley, , East Riding of Yorkshire: www.facebook.com/BevCovid19Support/
Birmingham:
Cooperation Birmingham cooperationbirmingham.org.uk/
Birmingham Community Solidarity: Coronavirus Response www.facebook.com/groups/3234138479933658/
Solihull/Shirley/Chelmsley Wood www.facebook.com/groups/527445844871565/
Brighton www.facebook.com/groups/491658741529273/
Bristol www.facebook.com/groups/1032597030460220/
BS1 www.facebook.com/groups/223634625694691/

BS2 www.facebook.com/groups/505609283459854/
BS3 www.facebook.com/groups/523617738532309/
BS4 www.facebook.com/groups/297601004550412/
BS5 www.facebook.com/groups/506054493680258/
BS6 www.facebook.com/groups/3633792870026661/
BS7 www.facebook.com/groups/220811902446205/
BS8 www.facebook.com/groups/549575592341916/
BS9 www.facebook.com/groups/659101674883198/
BS10 www.facebook.com/groups/2586699761568664/
BS11 www.facebook.com/groups/571070506832488/
BS13 www.facebook.com/groups/835058770347193/
BS14 www.facebook.com/groups/562228837736325/
Burnham-on-Crouch www.facebook.com/groups/261166028208979
Cambridgeshire www.facebook.com/groups/196779265071327/
Cardiff www.facebook.com/groups/505064553776232/
Chester www.facebook.com/groups/2666520713576840/
Chichester, West Sussex: www.facebook.com/groups/227040988686030/
Claygate/Esher: www.facebook.com/groups/1292783587598198/
Corsham www.facebook.com/groups/2807238739362182/members/
Cornwall www.volunteercornwall.org.uk/22-news/392-coronavirus-can-you-help
Mawgan & Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall: www.facebook.com/groups/547565559202460/
Caterham, Surrey: www.facebook.com/groups/148557723049782/
Coventry www.facebook.com/groups/657654051712123/?hc_location=ufi
Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire: www.facebook.com/groups/220454949008858/
Crowland, Lincolnshire: www.facebook.com/groups/539823016666603/
Elmbridge, Surrey www.facebook.com/groups/elmbridgecoronavirussupport/
Dartford www.facebook.com/groups/235451560828027/
Didsbury, Withington and Burnage: www.facebook.com/groups/138973914166677/
Derby www.facebook.com/groups/245927573116545/
Devon
Devon www.facebook.com/groups/205911010658131/
Torbay Help Hub www.facebook.com/groups/262909191385561/
Totnes Help Hub www.facebook.com/groups/2687973224757857/
Doncaster
www.facebook.com/groups/546148179338210/
Dundee www.facebook.com/groups/2259913884303722/
Durham www.facebook.com/groups/1821040734696569/
Edinburgh www.facebook.com/groups/219149212615733/
Essex www.facebook.com/groups/202798474370661/
Ditton, Kent www.facebook.com/groups/186656199450191/

Forest of Dean: www.facebook.com/groups/228069014997323/
GLASGOW www.facebook.com/groups/247622986269652/ www.facebook.com/TheWorkingClass20/
Glossop, Derbyshire: www.facebook.com/groups/559605561317217/
Great Yarmouth: www.facebook.com/groups/3541690782572536/about/
Grimsby and Cleethorpeshttps: www.facebook.com/groups/3065685103489532/

Hampshire: www.facebook.com/groups/elmbridgecoronavirussupport/
Hastings www.facebook.com/groups/1294180254304173/
Haslingden and Helmshore, Lancs: www.facebook.com/groups/2565255683745670/
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire: www.facebook.com/groups/193824588573716/
Highworth www.facebook.com/groups/207589316973214/?fref=gs&dti=438152990190431&hc_location=group
Holtspur www.facebook.com/groups/256694288831760/
Holme Valley, West Yorkshire: www.facebook.com/groups/COVID19HolmeValley/
Horsham: www.facebook.com/groups/737218033478014/
Hucknall, Nottinghamshire: www.facebook.com/groups/211903236587837/
Hyndburn, inc Huncoat, Read, Simonestone www.facebook.com/groups/510876136491904/
Knottingley & Ferrybridge: www.facebook.com/Covid-19-Mutual-Aid-Support-Group-Knottingley-Ferrybridge-108008874161876/
Kent www.facebook.com/groups/1093009801049456/
Long Eaton & Sawley, Derbyshire: www.facebook.com/groups/207498330456709/
Leicester: www.facebook.com/groups/289960355307518/ www.facebook.com/groups/2513211255610075/
Lincoln www.facebook.com/groups/545016686426954/
Machynlleth, Wales: www.facebook.com/MachCoronaResponse/
Meltham, West Yorkshire: www.facebook.com/groups/225094242214104/?ref=group_header
North Lincolnshire www.facebook.com/groups/234614157583444?view=permalink&id=234709234240603

www.facebook.com/groups/686862118788608/
Northampton www.facebook.com/groups/552301498730165/
Northumberland www.facebook.com/groups/1291925947851783/
Lewes www.facebook.com/groups/209934763457068/?ref=share
Leeds www.facebook.com/pg/Leeds-Covid-19-Mutual-Aid-106474190982427/
Leicestershire www.facebook.com/groups/812109542643030?ref=bookmarks
Liverpool www.facebook.com/groups/258198425178188/
Loughborogh www.facebook.com/111729860198118/posts/218147889556314/
Maghull www.facebook.com/groups/714686322401838/
Greater Manchester:
Clifford (Old Trafford) Neighbourhood Aid www.facebook.com/groups/205056274142085/?ref=share
Blackley www.facebook.com/BLACKLEYvCOVID/
Greater Manchester www.facebook.com/groups/312651239683325/
Woodley Stockport www.facebook.com/groups/1046452385742136/
Bury www.facebook.com/groups/BuryMutualAidGroup/
Bramhall North Residents www.facebook.com/groups/867337517071347/

Heatons www.facebook.com/groups/249942886019694/
Levenshulme www.facebook.com/groups/506603000025632/
Hazel Grove www.facebook.com/hazelgrove.help/
Whalley Range www.facebook.com/groups/2775640239220068/
Stockport www.facebook.com/groups/stockportcovid19support
Gatley www.facebook.com/groups/2572462059740024/
Marple www.facebook.com/groups/345647879687508/
Marple Essentials Help www.facebook.com/groups/marpleessentials/
Offerton & Great Moor www.facebook.com/groups/542551049700420/
Reddish www.facebook.com/groups/210683900174179/
Molesey, Surrey www.facebook.com/groups/200739661261918/
Middlesbrough www.facebook.com/groups/634409224009003/
Newcastle under Lyme and North Staffordshire: www.facebook.com/groups/525623121697417/
North Tyneside www.facebook.com/groups/153611229127158/
Nottingham
Nottingham www.facebook.com/groups/2561302757529545/
Beeston Chilwell Area www.facebook.com/groups/262907364704981/
Norwich www.facebook.com/groups/813227462494867/about/
www.facebook.com/groups/heretohelpnorwich/
Newcastle upon Tyne:
Newcastle upon Tyne www.facebook.com/groups/NewcastleCovid19/
Arthurs’ Hill www.facebook.com/groups/523450511913708/
Byker www.facebook.com/groups/2262841380689072/
Benwell and Scotswood www.facebook.com/groups/635870360536339
Gosforth www.facebook.com/groups/3024939910871047/
Elswick www.facebook.com/groups/249037382793429/
Heaton: Help Self-Isolators www.facebook.com/groups/811657609321321
Kenton Corona Help www.facebook.com/groups/726404017894855
Monument (City Centre) www.facebook.com/groups/620021108546222
Jesmond www.facebook.com/groups/823117514823281
West Fenham www.facebook.com/groups/216580123081210/
Blakelaw www.facebook.com/groups/1411463635702326/
Oxford www.facebook.com/groups/202604247629195
Penzance www.facebook.com/groups/521094195485619/
Petersfield www.facebook.com/groups/242035260303773/
Poole www.facebook.com/PooleCovid19CommunitySupport/
Portsmouth & Southsea:
Helping Hands Portsmouth www.facebook.com/groups/HelpingHandsPortsmouthCovid19/
Portsmouth Coronavirus Support Group www.facebook.com/groups/203940460951601/
Reading www.facebook.com/groups/2506572852996203/
Rye, East Sussex: www.facebook.com/groups/200634987866771/
Ruddington www.facebook.com/groups/892154851236247/
Saline & Steelend: www.facebook.com/groups/137222851029112/
Slaithwaite Colne Valley: www.facebook.com/groups/222867632166948/
Stapleford www.facebook.com/groups/1328370980685242/
Scarborough www.facebook.com/groups/200102201218148/
Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire: www.facebook.com/groups/1353733758351105/
Sheffield www.facebook.com/groups/709728802898423/
Stirling:
Stirling’s Towns and Villages www.facebook.com/groups/1047331348981024/
Stirling Pulling Together www.facebook.com/groups/2549927025254514/
Skelmersdale www.facebook.com/groups/199164661403529/
Southampton:
Southampton Coronavirus Mutual Aid Group www.facebook.com/groups/491532511518156/
Southampton Coronavirus (COVID19) Volunteers Network www.facebook.com/groups/1026081747791021/
Southampton corona virus support group www.facebook.com/groups/678014052972883/
South Darenth and Horton Kirby: www.facebook.com/groups/1073158633063010/
Southport & Formby: www.facebook.com/groups/200618958018826/
Somersham, Cambridgeshire: www.facebook.com/groups/221983115616699/
SWINDON www.facebook.com/groups/438152990190431/
St Helens-Merseyside www.facebook.com/St-Helens-Covid-19-Mutual-Aid-Group-101025568204828/
Twyford www.facebook.com/groups/twyfordmutualsupport/
Whitworth: www.facebook.com/groups/309595320001084/
Willenhall, Borough of Walsall: www.facebook.com/groups/522672271785274/
Winchester: www.facebook.com/groups/1311125889083787/
Worcester www.facebook.com/groups/2744336948954458/

Wheret0n0w · 20/03/2020 09:15

Please also join Nextdoor which is a local Social Network and might have people in your neighbourhood who could help

sashh · 20/03/2020 09:16

Try Olio, say you don't have a car and see if someone can bring food to you.

Consider the suppliers of 'pensioner' meals like WIltshire Farm foods.

What about people you work with? Can you organise a group shop?

Wheret0n0w · 20/03/2020 09:18

Some part didn’t post :
Wolverhampton www.facebook.com/groups/2817957311613192/

Queercare provides assistance for immunocompromised, astmatic or otherwise at additional risk from COVID-19. You can also access useful resources and advice via their page. Queercare has volunteers nationally and is working on organising folk into more local groups and providing advice.A sign-up form is available here.
Queercare have also finalised and had approved by medical professionals an initial list of principles and assumptions and a set of guiding policies for doing support work in, and in response to, the COVID-19 link -
queercare.network/our-work/resources/covid-19/

strawberrylipgloss · 20/03/2020 09:18

The supermarkets are crazy first thing , Aldi had a queue of over 60 people at 6am the other day

I did this yesterday and managed to get almost everything that I need. 60 people is not as bad as you think and I recommend that you join them

Hadalifeonce · 20/03/2020 09:20

Check out local community groups who offer help and support in local areas, I volunteer with one which offers support to anyone who needs it.

If1knewiwouldnotbehere · 20/03/2020 09:25

BBC London mentioned that corner shops are fully stocked. So even if it's tinned food, you will find something.

theemmadilemma · 20/03/2020 09:26

Yes, Nextdoor and local Facebook groups. Our local ones are being amazing at making sure no one goes without, people are sharing and helping each other out.

HPFA · 20/03/2020 09:28

The staff really have to stop being so nice sometimes. Been desperately looking for Paracetamol and Tesco's this morning had two packets. So I did a dance of joy and took one.

At the till the assistant comes to approve it:

ME: I'm so happy cos you only had two left.

THEM: You can have two, you're allowed it.

ME: No, it's fine, one's enough.

THEM: Are you sure ? Really?

ME: (tempted, two would make us completely safe but I do have a few left at home so one packet should really be enough added to those)….. No, honestly, leave it for someone else.

So, if any shop workers are reading this - don't be so BLOODY NICE, don't tempt us!!!

CatBatCat · 20/03/2020 09:28

If you're in Derby area, Sound Bites are doing online deliveries. Veg boxes and store cupboard things.

Branleuse · 20/03/2020 09:29

Getting in the queue at 6am defeats the point of self isolating. The supermarket bosses are fucking loving this and asking government for deregulation such as allowing them to stop national minimum wage and forcing delivery drivers to work longer hours with less break.
There are not food shortages. They are just not keeping up with restocking quick enough, but this will pass. Go to smaller independent shops, and dont go at 6am and add to this mentality