Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Larger families.... shopping limits

295 replies

ThisMustBeMyDream · 18/03/2020 12:50

Anyone else having issues in getting enough food to make a meal for their family? I can't afford (nor have time) to make seperate meals for everyone. But I can't get enough of the foods we eat as a family in some lines.

We use 4 packs of mushrooms and 5 packs of peppers per week. We are only allowed 3. Same for yogurts etc.

I am working, not from home. I don't have time for daily shopping as I finish at, rush back before after school club finishes and get the kids home for dinner which is already later than I'd like.

I have a delivery pass, but that appears to be totally useless at the minute. We are potentially to be isolating from today as one of the kids may possibly have a cough. Even if I could get a slot, I'd need several slots in the week and you can't even get half the stuff you need anyway.

We don't have anyone to bring us food either. 🤷

Is it worth approaching the supermarket manager to discuss individual requirements?

I saw a woman have 1 of her 4 muller bloody lights removed from her today. I mean I understand restrictions in some areas. But most people would not consider 4 yogurts excessive/panic buying.

Help!

OP posts:
Original poster
ThisMustBeMyDream · 18/03/2020 13:07

Dietry needs mean that we already have enough trouble making meals that work for us. There's not much give in it.

You can't get tinned tomatoes. I buy 9 a week. Currently have 3 left.

OP posts:
minipie · 18/03/2020 13:07

I am hopeful the shopping madness is going to calm down soon. Everyone has been stocking up, ranging from a bit extra to full on stockpiling, but pretty soon (surely?) people will feel they are stocked enough and will go back to normal food shopping levels.

I think everyone will need to be flexible about what we eat. If you can’t get enough peppers, use more onions or tomatoes or courgettes or whatever you could get.

minipie · 18/03/2020 13:07

Cross posted. What are the dietary needs?

Original poster
ThisMustBeMyDream · 18/03/2020 13:08

One vegetarian, and one dairy free kid.

OP posts:
sixeightfour · 18/03/2020 13:08

Online shop AND phsyical supermarket shop

Hazelnutlatteplease · 18/03/2020 13:09

This is why we need rationing and fast

TeddyIsaHe · 18/03/2020 13:09

I saw an old man close to tears in Tesco earlier because there was no food left. Thankfully the M&S was pretty much fully stocked so I could let him know. But that is fucking heartbreaking to see.

There’s a reason this is happening, and if you need to shop more often or become more creative then so be it. People are literally dying, we need to think about others for a change.

Dandani · 18/03/2020 13:09

How many people in your family? You could shop for 3 to 4 days at a time. Not ideal but needs must. Spaghetti is an easy dinner to accommodate for a larger family within the restrictions. Large pack of chicken, seasoning, pack of potatoes for chips and whichever veg your family likes is a meal that you can accommodate within the limits. You need to plan for meals that will fit into the current situation. Unfortunately a lot of us can't use our same eating habits, it's easily doable. Just requires more thought than usual

Original poster
ThisMustBeMyDream · 18/03/2020 13:10

One child has autism, and has a few sensory issues. Luckily he isn't as limited as a lot of children with autism can be. But as a family we eat a lot of pasta, potatoes and veg as our main meals.

OP posts:
Dandani · 18/03/2020 13:10

That is given your not in isolation and everyone just needs to work with what they can get in regards to what's in stock

TangointhePark · 18/03/2020 13:13

Consider using frozen veg, they come in bigger packets, keep for longer and are good quality, use tinned vegetables, use lentils and other pulses to bulk things out a bit, have a look online for recipes that stretch things further. We all need to do things a bit differently just now, I can’t believe there’s no way to feed your family without needing 9 tins of tomatoes.

PeterPanGoesWrong · 18/03/2020 13:13

These are difficult times op. Maybe consider changing how you cook, use what’s available to you and not get too het up that you can’t get your usual brands or size.

Sorry but I don’t think one adult and four children qualifies you for special dispensation. We are all suffering here one way or another.

Dandani · 18/03/2020 13:14

Just noticed the dietary needs too, I think you might need to start looking up new recipes and things that could work. Maybe try buying fresh tomatoes for sauces and things too

LolaSmiles · 18/03/2020 13:14

You've got to do what the rest of us do and do your best or change your meals or cut down how much of individual ingredients go into a meal.

Eg we had risotto. Normally we'd use half a pack of mushrooms in, but we did 1/3 because it's a small change to make things go further.

We're shopping for elderly relatives too and the limits mean we have to do two trips with DC, or one stays in and the other goes. That's how things are at the moment and we certainly won't be going to the shop managers to say "but we're special".

Tulipstulips · 18/03/2020 13:15

Tinned tomatoes to make sauce rather than jars

Good luck finding tinned tomatoes anywhere, it’s easier to find jars where I live.

Curiosity101 · 18/03/2020 13:15

Do you have a Costco, Makro or other Cash and Carry near you? If you do then you may find it easier to stock up for your family at one of those as they almost only deal with large / multipack items.

Other than that I think I'd have to agree with others. You'll have the adapt what meals you're making. Maybe make 2 different meals rather than the same 1 for all of you? As well as experimenting with some new recipes?

sleepingdragon · 18/03/2020 13:15

My local facebook groups has a few sole traders advertising that they are stepping up the food they offer- e.g. the local veg delivery person extending their rounds, a corner shop taking telephone orders from older people and putting the good aside for them to collect later, a market stall expanding their range and stocking various jars and toilet rolls etc. I realise it will be difficult to feed a large family from smaller shops but thought I would mention it as there might be someone offering a solution near to you.

TeddyIsaHe · 18/03/2020 13:16

Op you do know every single person is going through this as well? With bigger and scarier worries? Sorry to be blunt, but suck it up and crack on. Whinging isn’t going to solve a single thing.

sunnyday1976 · 18/03/2020 13:16

I'm concerned about having to shop for various over 70 family members soon who live on their own, and ourselves, and a younger family member now in isolation. I can't afford the petrol to shop all the time as each round trip is about 15 miles. Obviously no online delivery slots either - arggh. And loads of people will be in the same/worse situation.

GirlYouHaveNoFaithInMedicine · 18/03/2020 13:18

I think the reality is that we won’t be able to eat the way we are used to. You will have to buy whatever is available and create some interesting recipes. And please don’t approach the supermarket manager.

Yep, agree with this.

Yeyellow · 18/03/2020 13:19

I think there’s needs to be common sense applied.
Was stopped at a supermarket.
They sold out of a food that usually comes in big packs of say 20 so obviously could not get those. Alternative left was smaller, more expensive packs of 4 but you were only allowed 2.
So by their logic buying 40 is fine but when they sell out of those you’re not allowed more than 8?????

SonjaMorgan · 18/03/2020 13:19

It is chaos and your family won't be able to self isolate. We can't get a shopping delivery here until the 4th of April, no family nearby and like you have said 3 items doesn't go far depending on the size.

GirlYouHaveNoFaithInMedicine · 18/03/2020 13:19

I'm concerned about having to shop for various over 70 family members soon who live on their own

Genuine question - was this a typo or do you have a crazy large family? Just nosey Grin

sewingsinger · 18/03/2020 13:20

The thing is life is all about choices. Some choices have a big impact, like the choice to have a big family, and you have to adapt to this yourself as these choices are your responsbility. For example you could go shopping with your DH and buy double, going through checkouts as 2 individuals. If one of your children is older, send them through the checkout.

isittheholidaysyet · 18/03/2020 13:21

How many people in your family? You could shop for 3 to 4 days at a time. Not ideal but needs must. Spaghetti is an easy dinner to accommodate for a larger family within the restrictions. Large pack of chicken, seasoning, pack of potatoes for chips and whichever veg your family likes is a meal that you can accommodate within the limits. You need to plan for meals that will fit into the current situation. Unfortunately a lot of us can't use our same eating habits, it's easily doable. Just requires more thought than usual

Spaghetti, sold out along with literally all other pasta. I got filled fresh tortellini, which we like, but I only took one meal's worth as I thought more than 4 packs and i would be accused of stockpiling.

Large pack of chicken: all chicken, mince, pork, cheap stew beef, sold out. I can't afford sirloin steak or lamb cutlets which was all that was left (In 2 person packets). We got value cooking bacon, kids and DH don't like it cos it's mainly smoked, but tough luck.

Potatoes: sold out. Got frozen chips though. Need to find a farm for a sack of potatoes.

Veg we've managed.

Swipe left for the next trending thread