Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Food/recipes

For related content, visit our food content hub.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

supermarkets v independent shops

28 replies

CurlyhairedAssassin · 23/01/2009 18:22

After watching that programme on the telly the other day called something like "The True Cost of Cheap Food", I am wondering whether to start buying from my local butcher, fishmonger and greengrocer instead of getting that stuff from Tescos with mu main food shop. The family on the programme found that a chicken breast in her butchers cost 1.35 each which seems quite a bit cheaper than a standard fresh chicken breast from Tesco.

I'd always assumed that local independcent stores would actually cost more than the supermarkets. Would I really be better off buying off individual butchers, fishongers etc?

OP posts:

BoysAreLikeDogs · 23/01/2009 18:25

yes

By using your local butcher/fishmonger/grocer you are putting money into your local economy rather than sending out of the area

have a go, see what you think

SoMuchToBits · 23/01/2009 18:29

I use my local butcher, baker and candlestickmaker greengrocer. I find the meat is much better quality in the butchers than at supermarkets, and you can buy exactly as much or as little as you want.

Prices at the greengrocers are usually cheaper for veg than supermarkets (not quite so much fro fruit) and a lot of the produce is local, which I like.

Bakers sell stuff which is made on the premises, so I know it's really fresh.

And I know all the people, so get a friendly chat when I go in.

I did use the local fishmongers too (which was excellent and sold lovely home-made fishcakes) until it closed down (due to too much competition from the supermarkets) .

Onlyaphase · 23/01/2009 18:32

I've found that the meat from a butchers is not only cheaper, but traceable back to the local farm, and also much better quality. The bacon (and sausage) doesn't leak water everywhere when cooked, the chicken breasts are huge and you can get advice on how to cook stuff too. Give it try

noonki · 23/01/2009 18:33

the meat is sooooo much nicer and much more cost effective

that programme confirmed all my worst fears (especially the tomatos - cheap sauages and meat I assumed to be worse in health terms but hoped that veg would be much of a muchness)

makes you realise that food has to be the number on priority when you can. An making it from scratch is the way to go.

I always get reduced good quality stuff or go to the butcher and by less.

Original poster

CurlyhairedAssassin · 23/01/2009 18:35

Ok, it's sounding good so far!

Only thing is, and I'm a bit embarrassed to say this, that I am so used to just picking meat up in a packet that I am a bit unsure of what cuts of meat to ask for, or even quantities. Will they laugh at me if I sound like I know nothing?!

OP posts:

EldonAve · 23/01/2009 18:36

I don't buy veg at the market as I'm not confident of my mental arithmetic and they don't give receipts

SoMuchToBits · 23/01/2009 18:37

No, that's the great thing about butchers - they will usually give you advice on what cuts you need, how much (for how many people) and even often how to cook it. It's what they are there for.

Habbibu · 23/01/2009 18:38

Greengrocers definitely cheaper, better quality and local. Butchers will be happy to explain things to you - tell them what you're hoping to cook, and they'll tell you the best cut of meat, and some general cooking instructions. It's a much more fun way to shop as well.

SoMuchToBits · 23/01/2009 18:38

I quite often go in and say, "Well, I'd like some pork for roasting, about two adults and a Jonathan's -worth" and the butcher will oblige.

Onlyaphase · 23/01/2009 18:38

No they won't laugh. And when you go in there will be trays and trays of meat in front of you, all labelled as "chops" or "pork loin" or whatever so you can just ask for what you see. If you want mince then the standard supermarket pack is 500g which will be the same amount more or less as asking for a pound of mince in the butchers

minxpinx · 23/01/2009 18:39

No they won't! They'll be so pleased that you are there they will be quite happy to talk you through everything (well my local guy is).

nancy75 · 23/01/2009 18:40

i always use my local butcher, so much nicer than supermarket stuff, butchers wont laugh at you, i have always found mine to be full of great advice on whats best to buy and how to cook it. infact i have tried bits of meat i would never have picked up because of the butcher.
would love to use a local greengrocer but there isnt one!, i live near to 3 small high streets and a large town centre, and there is not 1 greengrocers.

Habbibu · 23/01/2009 18:41

Oh, yes - that's the best bit - "two adults and three toddler's worth" - so much easier than having to work out how many packets to buy.

SoMuchToBits · 23/01/2009 18:44

Yes, If I have people coming round for a meal I'll just say X adults and Y children (giving rough ages) and the butcher will say "Well this much will be about right, then." And he's always right!

SoMuchToBits · 23/01/2009 18:44

I love local shopping!

kerryk · 23/01/2009 18:59

first time i went to my local butcher (new in the area then) i told him my friend had recommended him and said he had the best steak pies in the world.

he was so pleased that he gave me the pie for nothing and made me promise to come back and let him know my verdict

Original poster

CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/01/2009 12:59

Oh dear.....DH went to local butchers today for first time and bought some sausages and a rump steak. Have just compared like for like (ie NOT comparing with Tesco value stuff) on My Supermarket and it seems our butcher's is quite a bit more expensive......

On the plus side, did a compare at the greengrocer, and our greengrocer came out quite a bit cheaper than Tesco.

Have now been put off buying meat from our butchers though.

OP posts:

Ivykaty44 · 31/01/2009 13:02

My local butcher and fishmonger are not only cheaper but you get to choose how much meat and fish you want - in the supermarket it is pre packet stuff and you have to buy the quantities they want you to buy.

Local market and greengrocer are far better value than the supermarket and have far more choice of season veg.

I try to bulk buy once a month none perishables and then just have a trip to the butcher and greengrocer weekly.

mamadiva · 31/01/2009 13:52

We don't have a greengrocers here so am stuck with supermarkets and as I don't drive I can't even really go between them so never get the cheapest I could.

I am going to try going to the Bucher's today will hopefully be cheaper if not will have to stick to supermarket pumped up watery meat as oney is tight.

We eat a fair bit of meat in this house as DP and S very fussy so the cheapestis the best ATM sadly.

tumtumtetum · 31/01/2009 14:07

I use the local bakers as it is miles nicer than any supermarket - it is about twice the price though.

The butcher is a dewson (?) so I think a chain. Went in once and asked for some chicken and was it free range and he said "no but it's alright take my word for it love" Wasn't that cheap either.

Fishmonger closed years ago (real shame) and no greegrocer either.

I think, like anything else, some are good and some are bad and you will find out when you try them

muggglewump · 31/01/2009 14:33

I've started getting a veg box from the local Greengrocer. I'm thinking of cancelling after just a month!
The only thing I asked never to get was celery, I've had it twice now, even reminding him of it after the first time it arrived. Last night he delivered it and left it behind the bin in the pouring rain. I have told him I'm not in until after 6 so obviously he came early and I only noticed it because I went back out otherwise it would have been left there till god knows when (we're not going out at all today). He could have at least put a note through the door.
I will go in on Monday and let him know but if it happens again I'm cancelling.

I find the Butchers too expensive for every day but I will go in for a treat now and then.

SoMuchToBits · 31/01/2009 14:36

Our butchers is more expensive than the supermarket, but so much better. I would rather eat less meat from the butchers than more meat from the supermarket.

TheDevilWearsPrimark · 31/01/2009 14:49

I find it is so much cheaper, but there is a lot of competition around here, I suppose in small towns it won't be the same.

I use the butcher, fishmonger, farmers market, Italian deli, Japanese food shop, Turkish grocers , Sri Lankan grocers, loads more. I love going out shopping for food and find I save money. I still do an online shop for odds and sods and bulky hthings.

Original poster

CurlyhairedAssassin · 31/01/2009 16:35

It's just a shame when you think you're going to save some money AND get better quality, and then find out that it costs you more. I don't dispute that the sausages did seem nicer from the butchers - there didn't seem to be loads of fat pouring out of them when they were cooked like the ones from Tesco, but unfortunately despite them being more expensiv and probably better quality DS said he didn't like them! Trouble is, he's developed quite a strong palate and he is used to having sweet chilli Finest sausages from Tesco!!! Normal Cumberland sausages must taste bland to him now.

Another disappointment was that DH picked up a box of eggs in the greengrocer assumikng they'd be free range farm eggs, as it said Something Farm on the front, but when we had a look properly at home, it says something about them being from caged birds.....AAARRRGHHH.........

We went to the Chinese supermarket today and saved a fair bit there though.

I dunno....Am just finding it hard trying to get the balance right between decent quality of stuff (and also not too bad from an ethical point of view), and low cost. Money's not exactly in abundance here either, but we do try and prioritise decent food at home seeing as we can't afford to eat out much anyway.

OP posts:

catsmother · 31/01/2009 17:11

The only food shop I have within walking distance is a small Somerfield. My town also has a (not very nice) baker, but no butcher, greengrocer, deli, fishmonger (appreciate these are a rarity if you're not on the coast) or other general food store. Even the dreaded Tesco is 2 miles away - just about walkable but 4 miles on a regular basis with even basics is pushing it a bit.

We have a pretty small farmers market once a month and a greengrocer on the (very sparse) market twice a week, but it's incredibly hard trying to balance ethics, affordability and accessability when you have to drive - sevral miles in all different directions in my case - to get more choice, and everything you need.

There's a fabulous (in terms of friendliness, advice, variety, quality) butcher's 12 miles away (24 miles round) but when you factor in time and petrol it's often hard to justify the journey - yet I completely agree with the principle of supporting local and independent shops. There are also a no. of farms nearby whose produce includes free range eggs, bacon (you can see the pigs wallowing happily in the mud), pick your own fruit and so on, but again, it's trying to make everything add up. If I had a bit of money to spare I'd definitely be making more of an effort to get to these places regardless, but when you're watching every penny sometimes you have no choice but to go to the supermarket (alternatively, for me to drive back and forth to independent places & farm shops, I could easily rack up 50 or more miles) ...... and I bloody well hate the fact that I have to do so. I'm well aware of the irony that the small shops missing from my town have been forced out by Tesco (before I moved here) but so many of us literally have very little other choice.

Flip

1 2

Swipe left for the next trending thread