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AIBU?

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Original poster

To be appalled at the cost of food?

474 replies

pinotnow · 08/05/2023 20:55

I know this has been done to death and we are in a cost of living crisis, but listening to the news they are intimating that it is slowly levelling out and the worst is over. Yes as far as I can see it's spiralling out of control.

I did a Lidl shop this weekend and bought absolutely nothing for main meals as I have a Hello Fresh box for three days coming, boys are going to their dad's for the weekend on Thursday and I have store cupboard stuff in already.

Therefore all I bought was stuff for lunch boxes, snacks, fruit and breakfast cereal. No cleaning stuff, oil or pet food needed this week and one bottle of wine. I thought it would be a bit less than I usually pay (only the second time I've used Hello Fresh) and certainly the trolley wasn't as full.

It came to £78!! Maybe £5 or so less than I have usually paid lately. It's out of control. How on earth are people supposed to manage and when will it stop going up all the bloody time?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
15
babyproblems · 09/05/2023 06:35

Swrigh1234 · 08/05/2023 22:27

This thread is mostly depressing because some people’s attitude, more than the prices themselves. ‘Oh but no it’s no big deal because food has always been too cheap in this country’. ‘Oh but it’s the same in X,Y,Z country’ without taking at account of wages in that country. ‘Oh but you’re eating too much, just eat dust’.

If that’s your attitude, you have the government you deserve.

I think this misses the point. I think posters who are saying that food has ‘been too cheap’ for example are suggesting that the sudden rise in prices this year is a symptom of a much deeper problem; and those saying other countries typically spend more on food are saying the same thing - that the real problem here goes deeper than the current price of a weekly food shop and that it’s about stagnating wages, profiteering and a whole host of other issues; which have been largely created by the UK having a conservative government who prioritises business and profit over the daily life of most people. I don’t know what will happen but my own opinion is the UK is going to face tough times ahead as we still have a very capitalist centred approach to life and politics.. unfortunately that means not many people high up care about the expense of a weekly shop or the fact no one’s wages are rising. Quite the opposite.

On a side note I’m another one whose not bought chicken for years because I find the conditions morally appalling… I just can’t eat it I find it really grim.

Okunevo · 09/05/2023 06:39

tikkanaan · 09/05/2023 06:28

All the free range ones have been stuck inside for ages anyway due to bird flu. So it's all much the same?

Show quote history

Much the same as barn eggs I'd guess not cage eggs. Most local eggs have had outdoor enclosures. They are similar in price or sometimes cheaper than the more expensive supermarket eggs that are the ones available to buy.

MushMonster · 09/05/2023 06:55

If this really was due to better wages for employees and farmers and better quality, I would put up quietly with it.
But.... the supermarkets and fuel companies, banks and the lot, will reach record profits, yet again, this year.
I bet you that.
That of reducing the size of packaging tells it all.

tikkanaan · 09/05/2023 06:57

Okunevo · 09/05/2023 06:39

Much the same as barn eggs I'd guess not cage eggs. Most local eggs have had outdoor enclosures. They are similar in price or sometimes cheaper than the more expensive supermarket eggs that are the ones available to buy.

Show quote history

Thank you for that info. I've been buying the "free range" ones anyway so it's good to know

missfliss · 09/05/2023 07:03

Agree that for me personally, battery eggs are a red line. It's really immoral that they are allowed at all.
I do however, genuinely, have a lot of sympathy for people on tighter budgets than me.
I'd actually love some advice from the posters here. Struggling with a bottomless pit of a preteen boy. Has ASD so his own skills are limited.
I try and get a snack ready for him after school each day - but struggle if I'm on calls etc ( WFH). He is fussy and loves expensive branded stuff. He can't really use a toaster or oven yet. He will eat once piece of fruit, hates cheese sadly. What can I leave out that is cheap, filling, easy to prepare and not UPF? Doesn't have to be incredibly healthy just maybe not utterly sh1t?!?!

Sirzy · 09/05/2023 07:03

MushMonster · 09/05/2023 06:55

If this really was due to better wages for employees and farmers and better quality, I would put up quietly with it.
But.... the supermarkets and fuel companies, banks and the lot, will reach record profits, yet again, this year.
I bet you that.
That of reducing the size of packaging tells it all.

Very true, I was listening to an interview on the radio this morning about how farmers get so little for their produce (I think they said the rate has increased 0.8% or something equally as awful) in recent years. Many farmers now are in a position where they just can’t justify producing things anymore when they are losing money. If something isn’t done to resolve that then things are going to get a lot worse

HistoryFanatic · 09/05/2023 07:08

AreMyDucksinarow · 08/05/2023 22:54

I agree it’s depressing times when it’s cheaper to buy school dinners than make a healthy lunchbox for the kids.

I truly believe a lot of it is profiteering, yes some production cost have gone up by not by the value that we are paying. Especially as they seem to be having record profits.

Aldi is more expensive than M&S on some things.

I used to bake my own bread and cakes, now it’s cheaper to buy them (cost of flour/butter/eggs are very expensive compared to 1 year ago)

Must be cheaper to make them surely? 6oz of marg, SR flour, caster sugar and milk and 3 eggs is still the cheaper option surely?

Neurodiversitydoctor · 09/05/2023 07:11

missfliss · 09/05/2023 07:03

Agree that for me personally, battery eggs are a red line. It's really immoral that they are allowed at all.
I do however, genuinely, have a lot of sympathy for people on tighter budgets than me.
I'd actually love some advice from the posters here. Struggling with a bottomless pit of a preteen boy. Has ASD so his own skills are limited.
I try and get a snack ready for him after school each day - but struggle if I'm on calls etc ( WFH). He is fussy and loves expensive branded stuff. He can't really use a toaster or oven yet. He will eat once piece of fruit, hates cheese sadly. What can I leave out that is cheap, filling, easy to prepare and not UPF? Doesn't have to be incredibly healthy just maybe not utterly sh1t?!?!

Would he eat something like plain vanilla fairy cakes or the protien bars I linked up thread ? I think you can also make protien balls quite easily although I never have. At least then it's not UPFs

Okunevo · 09/05/2023 07:13

Sirzy · 09/05/2023 07:03

Very true, I was listening to an interview on the radio this morning about how farmers get so little for their produce (I think they said the rate has increased 0.8% or something equally as awful) in recent years. Many farmers now are in a position where they just can’t justify producing things anymore when they are losing money. If something isn’t done to resolve that then things are going to get a lot worse

Show quote history

This is why I often buy eggs locally. If they have any at Lidl I buy them but I don't go on to another supermarket if they don't. Local eggs aren't even expensive anymore if the alternative is £2.50 for six as that's all that's left in Tesco, and it means the supermarket aren't taking their cut.

I'm on low income with a teen boy, if I was in a better position I'd be buying a lot more direct from farmers.

missfliss · 09/05/2023 07:16

Thanks @Neurodiversitydoctor - I'll look at those, will try and find the link upthread. He is ravenous when he gets in. I think in a couple of years I'll try and teach him how to make beans on toast, or soup and toast too. It's just for now really

Vegetus · 09/05/2023 07:16

minimadgirl · 08/05/2023 21:06

We struggle as my girls are dairy intolerant and need soya milk, and one is gluten intolerant. So and £4 a day just for their milk, then we need gf bread, df cheese, gf biscuits or cakes.
It's wiping us clean. And that's before meat, fruit, vegetables, essentials.

Morrisons have a fortified soya milk for 60p if that helps

Giselletheunicorn · 09/05/2023 07:42

YANBU. We're managing financially but I have no idea how families on low incomes are getting by tbh.

It's not just food either. I bought a little bottle of Piriiteze in the Coop to treat my son's hay fever and it was £7! I nearly choked. It used to be £4.90 a bottle. Going to have to do a lot more shopping around for good prices. Maybe we need a 'basic shop bargains' feed on here so people can share best/worst prices.

OrbandSpectacle · 09/05/2023 07:48

We are going to be deluged by cheap low welfare chicken from the USA I reckon.

Swrigh1234 · 09/05/2023 07:48

babyproblems · 09/05/2023 06:35

I think this misses the point. I think posters who are saying that food has ‘been too cheap’ for example are suggesting that the sudden rise in prices this year is a symptom of a much deeper problem; and those saying other countries typically spend more on food are saying the same thing - that the real problem here goes deeper than the current price of a weekly food shop and that it’s about stagnating wages, profiteering and a whole host of other issues; which have been largely created by the UK having a conservative government who prioritises business and profit over the daily life of most people. I don’t know what will happen but my own opinion is the UK is going to face tough times ahead as we still have a very capitalist centred approach to life and politics.. unfortunately that means not many people high up care about the expense of a weekly shop or the fact no one’s wages are rising. Quite the opposite.

On a side note I’m another one whose not bought chicken for years because I find the conditions morally appalling… I just can’t eat it I find it really grim.

Show quote history

You think this government has a business centric approach and is capitalist? If only.

They are through and through corrupt, with no regard for business or the economy. Or else the country wouldn’t be in this mess.

Swrigh1234 · 09/05/2023 07:49

OrbandSpectacle · 09/05/2023 07:48

We are going to be deluged by cheap low welfare chicken from the USA I reckon.

Can they fly that far?

Rummikub · 09/05/2023 07:50

OrbandSpectacle · 09/05/2023 07:48

We are going to be deluged by cheap low welfare chicken from the USA I reckon.

Yes this concerns me too. Chlorinated chicken with low food hygiene standards.

Mammyloveswine · 09/05/2023 07:51

I spent 38 quid in Lidl fri and got butter, bread, washing up liquid, cereal, crisps, bananas, blueberries and apples, 2 packs filled pasta abs sauce, coffee, milk, dunkers, a bottle of wine and a bottle of beer..

It's staggering how much things have gone up!

Rummikub · 09/05/2023 07:52

Especially if uk signs a trade agreement then we will be flooded by GM food and chlorinated chicken.

slowquickstep · 09/05/2023 07:53

minimadgirl · 08/05/2023 21:06

We struggle as my girls are dairy intolerant and need soya milk, and one is gluten intolerant. So and £4 a day just for their milk, then we need gf bread, df cheese, gf biscuits or cakes.
It's wiping us clean. And that's before meat, fruit, vegetables, essentials.

Why are you paying so much for Soya milk, it is 75p in lidl and aldi

OrbandSpectacle · 09/05/2023 07:53

Chlorinated chicken with low food hygiene standards.

Yes, yuck.

Roselilly36 · 09/05/2023 08:05

catmothertes1 · 08/05/2023 21:50

I buy the same pack of 4 Greek yogurts from Lidl every week. A year ago,they were 99p,this week they were £1.69.

I know, shocking increase. I find Lidl/Asda etc is no longer any cheaper. So much going on behind the scenes, recent interview on tv from an egg farmer, saying that supermarkets won’t pay him a decent price, so as chicken flock, decreases he not replacing them. This is causing lack of supply and therefore increasing the price on the shelf for consumers.

tikkanaan · 09/05/2023 08:28

slowquickstep · 09/05/2023 07:53

Why are you paying so much for Soya milk, it is 75p in lidl and aldi

Show quote history

Maybe they are drinking a lot!

tikkanaan · 09/05/2023 08:32

Rummikub · 09/05/2023 07:50

Yes this concerns me too. Chlorinated chicken with low food hygiene standards.

Show quote history

But only if people buy it. No one is going to be force fed.

Dulra · 09/05/2023 08:34

Same here in Ireland I know the government are going to do an enquiry to find out why food prices aren't dropping when production costs have come down, our food is already way more expensive than the UK and has been for a long time but it is ridiculous how much we pay. A report yesterday was saying the high price of food is keeping inflation high and then mortgage interest rates are going up to bring inflation down so you are being hit from all angles. I live in Dublin which is consistently named as one of the most expensive cities n Europe.

throwaway2023 · 09/05/2023 08:38

Giselletheunicorn · 09/05/2023 07:42

YANBU. We're managing financially but I have no idea how families on low incomes are getting by tbh.

It's not just food either. I bought a little bottle of Piriiteze in the Coop to treat my son's hay fever and it was £7! I nearly choked. It used to be £4.90 a bottle. Going to have to do a lot more shopping around for good prices. Maybe we need a 'basic shop bargains' feed on here so people can share best/worst prices.

£2.99, don't pay for branded!

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/ziralton-allergy-relief-for-children-oral-solution-70ml?utmsource=google&utmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=GoogleShop%22&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhP6JnN3ngIVxrTtCh2bXwB4EAQYAiABEgLD1DBwE