to be a bit [hmm] that my local Big Issue seller was in the supermarket buying organic food that I can't afford?

[lillycat]

I saw him in the local waitrose today with a basket full of organic fruit and veg and other stuff that I could never afford.

Just seems a bit harsh really, we have to eat value everything to make ends meet despite dp working full time and me childminding.

He has a girldfriend with a small child so they must be eligible for housing anyway

Sorry LES! I think I have done the worst cross post ever! I am truly sorry for what happened to you and completely understand your view. I understand NL's point that not all BI sellers are bad, but also understand why you wouldn't want to go near one.

Lillycat, maybe he's an excellent salesman. if he's able to earn enough to provide organic food for his family, good for him. You should be celebrating his entrepreneurship.

SORRY I should NEVER have opened this thread but it stuck out like a sore thumb. And sadly my back went up i saw read etc.

Didn't mean to sound harsh or dampen anyones mood.

LES - no idea what to say.

les, don't apologise.
sorry for my previous x-post.

LES - you have NOTHING to apologise for. I feel bad for asking your reasons now. I just hope this hasn't all upset you too much.

LES, just read your posts and the story. Am really for you. What an awful thing to happen. I hope you've had counselling since then; if not, PLEASE brave it otherwise it will continue to blight your life.

There is a difference between 'homeless' and 'street homeless'. You do not have to be living on the streets to be homeless. If you are housed in a homelessness hostel/temporary homeless accommodation/sofa surfing/a B&B then you are legally homeless. You do not have to be street homeless to sell the big issue.

The argument for organic food has always been that anyone can afford to go organic as long as they cook everything from scratch and cut back on meat (as almost everyone eats more meat than is necessary for health), convenience food and so on. We ate organic food when we first had kids and were in low paid jobs, but we did not own a car, a freezer, microwave, washing machine, eat out, buy ready made pizzas etc. It is a matter of what your priorities are and whether or not you know how to cook. And I am not complaining about people who aren't really arsed about organic; each to their own.

Anyway, your big issue seller should be better off than someone living on benefits as he has a job; his job is selling the big issue.

edam there is not really anything that can be said no offence....sorry well that has been said so many times and YOU (not you particularly) don't need to be sorry you didn't do it HE did and I have to live with it. I went to hell and back after, got involved with a lot of things i shouldn't hurt people i loved BUT I came out the other side and now have 2 gorgeous sons who i will protect with my last breath.

Right i am off to bed ladies luv ya all xxxxxxxxxx nite xxxxxxxxx

So sorry for Ladyevenstar and she has the absolute right to her feelings.
But going back to the main subject...
Being a Big Issue Seller is a job like many others.
I don't often buy it as I can't always afford it and see that our local seller has lots of support from tradespeople and shoppers in town, he is hardly ever without a passer by stopping to chat or a cup of tea in hand.

BUT
When I do buy it I am happy to see that money spent on his tummy and health. Lots of homeless people end up that way through drug problems, or acquire them while they are homeless.
So I would be chuffed to see that money going into the organic farming system and not to a drug pusher. This is the way to make a better world.

Good point, truly. You usually get threads attacking poor people for spending their money on chips and fags, not buying blinking fruit and veg...

He could have been doing someone else's shopping.

TLE, that is terrible..

on the topic, I don't buy big issue...rather give someone food/dogfood(if dog around) ...
have had some dodgy experiences...not on par with LES...just where they have been picked up in posh car and such like (not just big issue sellers..."beggars in general")
so, I rather help directly than put money into some scheme, as it sadly seems to be more dodgy than anything else...

oh, beggars was in the widest sense btw...

obviously BI sellars aren't beggars....

on the subject of returning the mag to the vendor i usually glimpse at the cover say ive read it and give it back the lady 'always' offers me my money back and i say no thanks - its not down to her its me - i read once in dhs mag if you just give them money they can be in trouble for begging thats why i take the mag then give it back.

LES im sorry for your experiences ((hug))