Anyone working full time and struggling to shop?

[AnotherOne4]

Now most supermarkets are opening later (8am. To allow all the online orders to be processed).
There's special hours for NHS and elderly.
There are no online slots available at Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's or Ocado for the foreseeable future.
You go in the evening, and there is no fresh veg, bread, eggs etc.
I can no longer 'pop' to Tesco in my lunch break, as shopping takes so long now.

I just feel like, Ugh! The time I was managing to go previously (6.45am), I can't do that now.

Does anyone else get stressed about this?

Having just got back from shopping I can completely understand your concern. First time I’ve been to a large supermarket in a week. Now they are only allowing a limited number in the shop at one time all the shops locally have large queues outside. So my shopping took me a whole afternoon.

My only advice would be smaller shops. We have pretty well stocked co-ops near me that have no queues and fruit and veg on the shelves. Otherwise I know that wholesalers are trying really hard to get their food to consumers at the moment. I think there’s going to be much more food boxes available soon.

For those in London I heard about this company doing food boxes in London at the moment.

www.greensproduce.co.uk/

Probably not much help but we've noticed the local spar sized shops are better stocked and quieter. I know it might mean a extra few trips a week but we are not seeing as many people. Also look at local butchers etc. We ordered a massive bulk lot off meat to freeze so we only have to pick up side dishes when shopping for dinner. I admit it is a nightmare though, I'm trying to get a click and collect for my grandparents so sitting in a queue online most nights and I'm still lucky to get one for them. I've got this week and two weeks time sorted but worried about them getting fresh stuff next week (they are 4 hours away from me in a rural location with no local help but thankfully a car to collect shopping)

Yup. I've been off work this week and thankfully DH has been shielded from work. I've been going into work later and popping to the shop before work. But not every one is lucky enough to be able to do that.

Nothing much left by the time I can get there and like you can't pop out at lunch as not the time to stand in a queue

I went and did in a queue in my lunch hour yesterday then gave up as I had to get back for an online meeting. I work flexibly but it did give me an insight into how difficult it could be for people working fixed hours. I "don't shop between 12-2 unless you have to" message might help some people.

It's really hard knowing when to go. I always try and pick up extra bits for my parents. So they then have less to get themselves when they go, as I know they are struggling to manage. But if I can't even get bread and eggs :(

Any farm shops near you OP? Any friends that can drop stuff off for you? I have helped out a friend today with things she can’t get.