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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Where are all the tomatoes?

347 replies

verdantverdure · 20/02/2023 12:31

I'll admit it, I eat a lot of tomatoes.

Daily probably.

But where are they?

AIBU to ask you if there are tomatoes where you live?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Worldgonecrazy · 20/02/2023 14:51

Reporting back from lunchtime dash. Supermarket (Tesco) in City Centre had about six packs of baby plum tomatoes, and a few packs of anaemia looking larger tomatoes. Definitely a shortage compared to a few weeks ago. I remember having a choice on which cherry toms to buy.

WhiskersPete · 20/02/2023 15:36

My greengrocer told me it's due to bad weather in Spain etc before Christmas but they will be back soon when the Netherlands growing season starts.

You don't get inside info like that in the supermarket!

ladymactíre · 20/02/2023 15:38

Same here, but I'm in ROI. Yesterday morning in Tesco, no tomatoes, no cucumbers and 2 peppers in a basket.

BashfulClam · 20/02/2023 15:41

Apparently there has been adverse weather in the Spanish regions that grow tomatoes.

derelicte · 20/02/2023 15:41

How about a tin of chopped tomatoes (heated) on toast with plenty of black pepper😋

DuncinToffee · 20/02/2023 15:51

The NFU warned about a tomato shortage last December

metro.co.uk/2022/12/06/national-farmers-union-warns-of-crisis-after-egg-shortages-17889039/

YellowDaffodillie · 20/02/2023 15:53

@ladymactíre
I'm in SW of ROI and I bought plum tomatoes, salad tomatoes and cherry tomatoes in todays shop. I'm cooking a curry so will use the plum tomatoes in that and then the others in salads during the week.
They didn't have any peppers in Supervalu but I got some lovely big red ones in Aldi instead.

ichundich · 20/02/2023 15:56

Brexit innit. The gift that keeps on taking. It's not like these supply issues weren't predicted by the so-called "experts".

bestbefore · 20/02/2023 16:04

Our local growers have been talking about this for ages twitter.com/leavalleygrower?s=21&t=Jv45hAk4br4_GkHwElQHwQ

User174863988 · 20/02/2023 16:08

M&S had a few packs of very expensive organic tomatoes, that was it. Waitrose had lots of the six packs of standard tomatoes which were available in Tesco last week. I don't suppose the 6 packs will be plentiful for long though as people will buy those instead of their usual tomatoes like I did

TheodoreMortlock · 20/02/2023 16:23

It's February and tomatoes are out of season. A combination of weather and Brexit means importing them is increasingly difficult.

I do sympathise - baby plum tomatoes are one of my autistic DC's safe foods - but you might do better with seasonal local food while supplies restore. Have a look here: www.eattheseasons.co.uk/february.php

How about replacing your tomato and cucumber with some turmeric-roasted cauliflower? Or finely shredded brussel sprouts, or chicory, or sliced boiled potato? Or as a PP suggested, soup in the winter instead?

OhmygodDont · 20/02/2023 16:33

Saw some in sainsbo today. I’ve got my pepper seeds started. I don’t actually like tomatoes but always grow a few for friends.

ThisIsTrifficult · 20/02/2023 16:35

We've a brilliant fruit and veg shop in my village which is stocked with all the lovely bits I can't get at the supermarkets locally!
Thinking about flogging this red pepper for £20!

Applesandcarrots · 20/02/2023 16:35

TheodoreMortlock · 20/02/2023 16:23

It's February and tomatoes are out of season. A combination of weather and Brexit means importing them is increasingly difficult.

I do sympathise - baby plum tomatoes are one of my autistic DC's safe foods - but you might do better with seasonal local food while supplies restore. Have a look here: www.eattheseasons.co.uk/february.php

How about replacing your tomato and cucumber with some turmeric-roasted cauliflower? Or finely shredded brussel sprouts, or chicory, or sliced boiled potato? Or as a PP suggested, soup in the winter instead?

While I like seasonal eating and usually keep with it outside of salads, none of the suggestions comes anywhere close to tomato and cucumber to put in my fattoush for lunch😁

Applesandcarrots · 20/02/2023 16:37

ThisIsTrifficult · 20/02/2023 16:35

We've a brilliant fruit and veg shop in my village which is stocked with all the lovely bits I can't get at the supermarkets locally!
Thinking about flogging this red pepper for £20!

I can add 4 eggs and half a bottle of sunflower oil for £55.
Few more things and y'all can have an omelette 😂

Original poster
verdantverdure · 20/02/2023 19:49

We've got a school auction coming up. I can get my BIL to bring back a basket of staple provisions and fresh foods from the continent and start the bidding at £50 Grin

OP posts:
User174863988 · 20/02/2023 19:51

I see it's now on the BBC website

PinkiOcelot · 20/02/2023 19:52

No tomatoes on my Tesco shop this week. Cucumber out of stock as well. I’ve never known it.

eatdrinkandbemerry · 20/02/2023 19:58

Could get normal tomatoes no problem but I've struggled to find cherry tomatoes (and I eat loads of them daily usually 😩)

HaroldsCougar · 20/02/2023 19:59

We've really lost the idea of seasonality, haven't we?

Tomatoes can be dried or tinned, or turned in to paste/puree to keep then through the winter. Peppers can be canned (uncommon, but does exist) or bottled or frozen. Cucumbers don't really over-winter.

Surely it's not that hard to find something delicious that uses in-season (or tinned/bottled/frozen/pickled ingredients) ingredients? And then enjoy the fresh versions as a welcome feature of summer.

Harebrain · 20/02/2023 20:00

I bought a pack in Lidl on Friday and another pack in the Co-op today. Both had plenty of choice.

Harebrain · 20/02/2023 20:01

I should have added….they were cherry tomatoes but other varieties were available.

XenoBitch · 20/02/2023 20:01

My mum is in Bristol, and has struggled to get tomatoes. I thought it was just a local thing, so is a shock to see your post OP.

mondaytosunday · 20/02/2023 20:03

Yep got two punnets in last nights Tesco delivery. Just checked and there are ten different varieties available to order online now.

Oakbeam · 20/02/2023 20:08

You don't get inside info like that in the supermarket!

He probably heard it on the radio news like I did.

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