Shopping list, what is essential?

[PumpkinP]

DD is on the extremely vulnerable list and has to stay in for 12 weeks. I’m a lone parent so can’t go to the shops as I can’t leave her. I registered on the government website and a volunteer group called me and said they could get someone to do some shopping for us (up to 12 items) I ran the list by my sister just to make sure it was ok as he is calling back later today and she was shocked that I had chicken breast on there and said that it’s not essential and I should take it off! I looked at the Morrison’s food boxes in the past and noticed they contain a large selection of meat (mince, chicken breast, ham, sausages) when I explained that it wasn’t free and I would be paying for it (not sure why she thought it was free!) she seemed less shocked but still said it’s not essential and that I should take it off. Now it’s made me worried about doing the volunteer shop as I don’t want to be judged for my shopping or them thinking I’m buying things that aren’t essential. WIU to include it?

Maybe your sister could go shopping for you instead, so you wouldnt be limited to only 12 items?

She is being ridiculous. If you dont need or want pasta and loo roll, why would you ask for pasta and loo roll? Just because that's what people are panic buying doesnt mean it's what we should be eating and nothing else!

Incidentally porridge is one of the cheapest and most basic foods there is. If she thinks that is no essential enough, then what is? Presumably she is just eating dry bread crusts and plain pasta for every meal.

Your sister is being ridiculous!!

The essential thing - He said ‘Essentuaks - such as food’ he didn’t say ‘essential food’ BIG difference!!

That aside, 12 items isn’t many though, so make sure you’re maximising the food you get for all of you. So look at what/how you’ve ordered. A chicken breast uses ‘one item’, but so does ‘pack of chicken breasts’ or a chicken’. With lots of people to feed and only 12 items I wouldn’t ‘waste’ one on jam unless DD not eating without it is an issue.

Plus, make sure you put alternatives so that you get ‘something’ if your desired item
Isn’t available.

Hope the system works out well for you 😊

I'm a volunteer and had to go out a couple of days ago to do shopping. There's no limit but they ask the vulnerable to keep to a £20 budget. Things on the list from my lady included tinned fish, bananas, eggs, ready meals, soap, cake, custard and tinned soup.
I'd have no issue getting you chicken breasts or anything you wanted.

Get what ever you need. Ignore anyone saying anything else.

I would also hedge your bets a bit and just put "chicken breast or boneless thighs, biggest pack available" or "porridge or any other cereal" because if there isnt any chicken breast or porridge I wouldn't want to lose one of the 12 items! I don't know if thats being cheeky though.

Tell your sister to leave your breasts alone

She wouldn’t help unfortunately she has made that clear. She never helps anyway.

😂 VeganVeal

Surely a mix of proteins, carbs, fruit and veg, and maybe one treat item makes the most sense? Plus items that maximise what you already have in the house? I really don’t get where your sister is coming from.
I hope you got the shopping you needed OP.

Chicken was a luxury when I was a child, and normally eaten only at Christmas. Nowadays it's a reasonably priced source of protein.

She can’t help. She’s too busy judging your chicken consumption.

I take it back. Your sister’s not weird. She’s a bitch.

Stop listening to your sister she sounds like a spiteful loon.

I really don't get the 'essential' part of shopping.
Our 12 items would be...

Milk, Bread, Eggs, Veg, Fruit, Chicken, Meat, Soup, Bacon, Sausage, Ice Cream, Chocolate

Chocolate for all of us as a treat
Ice cream for hubby as it eases his medication side effects

All is what I would buy on a fortnightly basis, of course there would be more than one item of each, like brown and white bread, and I would buy the multi-packs say of baked beans or soups, so I wouldn't need to buy them next time.

So what are some peoples' essentials are less important to others.

Ignore your sister, get what you want.

Your sister is being ridiculous. Chicken and porridge are staples for many people and they'd be on my list too. Honestly no volunteer will bat an eyelid at that, it's basic food.

Porridge and jam is a luxury now??

Well when all this is over I hope you serve her some for Christmas dinner

Odd that your sister should mention, rice pasta and toilet roll. I work in a supermarket and these are the 3 things we have been the most short of together with hand wash, the fresh chicken shelves were looking normal this morning so that would be much easy for your volunteers to get.

Essential for you - that's all that counts.

Be sure to add chocolate or biscuits or whatever sweet thing you might all enjoy. 12 weeks inside is hard enough. You all deserve some non essential sugar! Can you find someone else who can also bring over some shopping? A neighbour or friend?

Your sister is being weird.

Chicken breasts are the sort of thing you can build a main meal around, it’s a perfectly acceptable thing to include as an essential foodstuff.

Same with the porridge. Perfectly acceptable choice of food for breakfast.
My DC are quite fond of porridge, and own brand packs of basic porridge oats tend to be cheaper per 100g than most other breakfast cereals are, it’s hardly a luxury food!

Agree with pp though, if you’re limited to 12 items, try and ask for the biggest pack available, and put alternatives down if you’re allowed to, in case the shop is all out of chicken breasts etc.

I am wondering if OPs DSIS is starting her own thread along the lines of " My sister is getting all this FREE HELP with her shopping and it's REALLY UNFAIR because I have a blister on my heel and nobody is offering to deliver food for me - I don't even know why she can't shop herself"

Really OP this situation has brought out the worst in some people, and your sister appears to be one of them. I hope things improve for you soon

Show your sister this list ....
www.waitrose.com/ecom/shop/featured/groceries/essentials-range

YY to trying your local butchers. Ours have just delivered a load of meat and eggs, which is very helpful as we can’t get a supermarket delivery slot at all.

As long as you aren't overly fussy about brands etc and are happy for them to make reasonable substitutions (so they can go to one shop and be in and out) I don't think anything is unreasonable. Even chocolate 😂

Your sister’s a loon. I’d happily buy all those items for you - and get more than 12. How long is that shop supposed to last?

If the shop is selling it then its essential..I don't find Quorn essential as I am a meat eater but my sister does as she is vegetarian. It is all relevant. Elderly DM considers her TV choice essential. It's all relevant.