Would anyone like to join me in this?

[swiperfox]

Having just watched Supermarket Secrets again and feeling absolutely sick at what they do to us, I am going to try, from this weekend coming, to buy as little as i possibly can from the supermarket from now on.

Who wants to join me?? I would like to do an 'experiment' and post exactly what i buy, what is available and the prices so that any of you interested can see the differences. I want to find out exactly how much we are being conned by being led to believe that it is cheaper to go the supermarket than the local butcher/baker/grocer and market. I also want to see if it makes a difference to dd (3.7)(behaviour/concentration etc) It would be good if a load of us could do it and post what we have bought, prices, what meals we made etc so that we can all give each other ideas for things to buy and meals to make. I would also like to try organic ranges as well and post the differences.

Anyone fancy it?

Went to our local farm shop - what a revelation. Nothing was more expensive than the supermarket and the stuff we've eaten so far actually tastes of something (including the most tasty raspberries and strawberries that I've eaten since childhood). The kids were playing up, so I couldn't browse through the other stuff they had but am well impressed .

Finding a decent butchers is my next goal...

BTW, swiperfox, which county are you in?

Co-Op are good as they stock some local produce, and have lots of fairtrade and Organic items

after years of "im only going organic and not buying from supermarkets" phases and then lazy busy phases where the sainsburys 2 minutes away gets my money i have found a brilliant and sustainable solution that works for us. we have been getting a fantastic and almost faultless organic veg box for 2+ years but must admit that sometimes i get complacent as i think im being righteous by doing that. so recently decided that i will periodically change one aspect of my shopping to a local (ideally organic) outlet and then stick with it NO MATTER WHAT! so i now only buy meat from an additive free free range butcher and also get fruit from my organic scheme. so i still go to the supermarket but give them much less of my money. my next part of the plan will be fishmongers and after that who knows!!
in an ideal world i would only buy free trade, local organic but at least i know that this is a shopping plan we can stick to and wont be one of my fads!
PS...love the thread and watching with interest and moondog, your so right about buying whole chickens rather than breasts (and my organic supplier is a lovely guy called Miles at O for Organic in east Sussex 01323 741000)

I'm in Hampshire FN, Southampton.

The kids had Irish Stew for dinner tonight, first time they've had it and first time both their bowls have been practically licked clean!!!
We've been making some wierd and wonderful smoothies with all the fruit too!

Veggie box question

For people who have a box scheme: I am trying to meal plan because 1. I am on a diet 2. I am on a budget. I am worried that if I get a fruit/veg bo delivered I wont knoe what is in the box and therefore wont know what to buy to go with it! (if you catch my drift!) How do you work around this?

A organic suppliers list here

We get our veg/fruit box from Abel and Cole and on their site they tell you in advance exactly what will be in the box each week. As our delivery from them is on a Thursday, this helps me to plan what we will be buying frmo the farmer's market the week before. Abel and Cole also sell great organic bread that is much cheaper than I have found locally. They also sell meat, though I Have not tried this yet as I have good local suppliers.

For all of you on budgets, please please remember that you can eat well on cheaper cuts of meat. For instance, at my local farmer's market, I bought a big brisket of organic beef for around £6. This will go in the slow cooker for half a day with some fried onions and comes out so soft and tender and gorgeous. You could probably feed a family of 4 on it and still have leftovers for another meal.

I also agree with what has been said about whether or not you need to buy organic meat. If you have to buy from the supermarket, than organic is your best bet (NOT free range as the supermarkets idea of free range is not actually very free at all). But if you can source locally from farms or farmer's marekts, you do not need to buy organic at all. For instance, we have been buying organic chickens from our market the last few weeks and IH ave not been that happy with them. A whole chicken was costing me £8 - £9 pounds and did not seem to have that much meat on. The taste was good, but there were no leftovers, for that price. Today, at the same market, I found another supplier or chickens. His were not organic, but free range. I chatted to him about his farming - the birds get totally free run and get to go where they like. I was happy about this so bought one for £6. SO cheaper than organic and I have to say after eating it for dinner tonight, it was tastier and had LOADS of meat on it. Tonnes to eat tonight and lots leftover. I will definately be buying frmo him again.

There are also many meat suppliers all over the country who will deliver if you do not live locally. This is not the cheapest way of doing things, but I think better than buying from a supermarket.

IlanaK - Thanks - good tips, especially about the meat cuts, am a bit of a cooking novice so am still learning! Can I just ask, what is a brisket?

I have a riverford organic box and you can check the expected contents from the Friday before delivery on the web, usually only one or two things change.

Visted Ballencrieff Farm Shop today. They are free-range, organic farmers of British pedigree sows. What a lovely surprise! The farmer took DD (age 2) out to stroke a 2-day-old piglet. She was SO excited.

Got some lovely bacon trimmings for my potato and leek soup.

Had an Italian sausage, organic potato, onion and courgette scramble tonight. DELICIOUS!

For those in the Edinburgh area, East Coast Organics does a box veg delivery. We haven't done it, b/c we buy ours from the farmer's market, but £7.90 bought 3kg potato, 1 bag chard, 2 huge leeks, 2kg tomato, 4 gem squash, 1 large acorn squash and 1 kg onions.

Emily05, I actually don't know what part of the cow the brisket is from, but it looks like a joint of beef - not fatty looking usually. However, the meat is not suitable for quick roasting (like the kind you would have for sunday lunch) as the meat would be too tough. But it is a cheap cut and the meat is lovely when slow roasted or pot roasted. Also, we buy the cheapest stewing steak for using in casseroles that we slow cook. Again, it comes out lovely and tender. We do treat ourselves to good cuts like a rib joint sometimes, but they are very expensive.

local food in hampshire - for you swiper - for some reason I thought you were in Berkshire.

This thread is great - please keep posting your discoveries. Does anyone know anything about Costco or other cash and carries? How do I get a card?

Interesting question about Costco. I used to buy all my meat there when we lived near one, and after we moved, I still tried to get there when I could. Then I changed to the way I shop now, and I stopped using them. To be fair, none of the books i ha ve read m entioned Costco at all. On the other hand, I just assumed that they were as bad as any of the supermarkets. Certainly, their meat is not advertised as being organic or free range. However, I am willing to listen if anyone knows differently.

Ooh no, not for meat, I'm thinking about doing a big once a month shop for all "dry goods" and then shopping locally for meat/fruit & veg etc. Someone told me that Costco were cheaper than the "big 4" and I wondered whether that was true.

Ah, I see. Well, yes it probably is. But I am trying to supoprt local shops as much as possible so am not even buying nappies at costco anymore. I get them from my local chemist.

IlanaK - thanks for that - I am going to have to study cuts and meat and prices now that I am doing proper cooking!

I am going to post this link again because it is great there is even an organic childrens product producer on the list I have had a look at some of the links and they are really good.

Trouble is, Ilana, the only local shop we now have that sells grocery stuff is Tesco snd I refuse to give them a penny more of my money .

Thanks for that link Flashingnose (I used to live in Berks)

When we did live in REading we had a costco card but only because we ran a pub - so I'm not sure if you have to be a business to get one like makro used to be. I could be wrong though - if I am I need to find one around here!!

Ah, OK, I knew that Berkshire came into it somewhere

Have noticed over the last week that there have been lots of adverts on the radio featuring Anthony Worrall Thompson about the RSPCA Freedom Food scheme, especially with reference to chickens. Coincidence?

flashingnose - they always jump on the band wagon dont they?! Mind you not complaining if it does some good!

I just started this as well this morning and then noticed this thread. Been to my local grocers, bought four carrier bags full of fruit and veg including cauli, boccoli, mushrooms, pineapple, grapes, nectarines, salad etc etc etc for £9.16 - Bargain me thinks!

i am going to bury market on weds for my fruit and veg it will be interesting comparing prices

i went to two of our local fruit & veg shops. they are on our high street and also a butcher (but don't go in their as we're vegetarian). DD was pointing out all the fruit and wanted me to buy fruits she had never dared try before like plums and apricots. she picked up the most enormous carrots and some broccoli. all those cost me £1.54!
i did see something strange. in 'farm direct' they had some melons with asda labels on them!