Social Supermarket.

[emmie]

good idea, stops lots of this food waste, drawbacks perhaps?

http://news.sky.com/story/1179822/social-supermarket-opens-to-benefit-claimants

[2sp_]

What impact would a Social Supermarket have on the likes of Lidl and Aldi?

[boxtops]

No, I meant countries. From the ITV news "The social supermarket model is well established in Europe, with around 1,000 stores concentrated in France and Austria, a spokesman said."

[emmie]

also don't know, the idea of not wasting food is a good one, and anything to stop the stuff going into landfill, criminal waste, then again the stats on what people throw away food wise is also criminal.

[emmie]

ok, never heard of this i must admit. Can't see the point of frosted windows, what does it matter if one goes into a cheap, cheaper outlet, surely it's about what one can afford, i wouldn't be embarrassed.

[marval]

I think it is a good idea, as long as people use it properly.

[jomifl]

I don't think it matters much if a few greedy / desperate people make a bit, so long as other needy people benefit.

[boxtops]

I parked out the back of Aldi the other day, and was dismayed to see what was in their skips. Nets of lemons, where one had gone mouldy - the others were fine. French bread sticks, which had broken. Loads of stuff. I'd have chopped the mouldy bits off myself if they'd given it to me.

[charlieuniform3]

You will be assessed after 6 months of membership as to if you still need to use them.

They are not only a supermarket they help with other aspects that people struggle with CV writing and cooking cheap and nutrional meals.

seems like a good idea to me

[emmie]

millions of pounds are wasted by supermarkets and consumers, we really have to have a rethink of what we chuck away, and the supermarkets have to come up with better ideas that slinging out perfectly usable foodstuffs

[emmie]

charlie, that means you could be off benefits but still using the outlets.
every six months, perhaps that should be a bit shorter.

[Baldric]

Just so long as Waitrose don't involve themselves,

[emmie]

how so? if they do surely that means they are doing their bit..

[charlieuniform3]

I agree emmie perhaps every 3 although it depends on the cost I suppose.

I think it is a good idea and should help those genuinely in need of help - I like the idea of teaching people to cook cheap meals too.

I hope they succeed with their aims.

[emmie]

that is the problem with good ideas, there are always some drawbacks. essentially it is a good scheme.

[boingo]

'large, large amounts of residual food'
Why is there so much 'extra' food produced and wasted in the first place? If manufacturers, supermarkets, suppliers etc., got their required figures correct maybe the cost of most food stuff could be reduced for everyone.

[boingo]

Sorry emmie, your 15.51 post and others after, weren't there when I posted my answer!

[emmie]

i doubt that would work, you can't always know how much people will buy on a moment by moment basis, you can see the workers stacking shelves when the supplies come off the shelves, so the goods must be warehoused till needed. Our local supermarket gets packed some days, others you could park a bus in there,

[Baldric]

Emmie, there is a premium, albeit a very small one to pay for doing your weekly shop at Waitrose, the idea of others enjoying the same quality for a fraction of the price would not sit well.

[emmie]

i can't afford to buy there, nor do i actually like them as a company, stores, i prefer the markets, and sainsburys for other type goods, tinned items,
i rarely if ever buy prepacked anything

[boingo]

I understand that the logistics in trying to guess what consumers may want one week but not the next, but there does seem to be an awful lot of waste these days. I think the 'sell by/use by/be careful if you use this soap after date as your face might fall off' has a lot to answer for.