Ditching the Supermarkets

[naomi24]

This question stems from my previous one on 'Chips'. It's become a thing with me to avoid supermarkets as much as possible - and I don't buy processed foods at all now. My meat comes from the butcher, fish from the fishmonger, fruit and vegetables from the greengrocer, and I make bread. I think I'm on a sort of one-woman mission against supermarkets and against food that's been tampered with or is full of preservatives - and I really don't like the thought of eating non-free range eggs, or meat that's pumped full of water, and from animals that have been mistreated and injected. Anyone else feel like that?

[theonlyone]

I use the Farmers Market , local fishmonger ,
the local farmer has a milk round ..raw milk ..
in bottles !! we also have a local baker ..so we
are lucky people at the moment ..but no doubt
Planet Tesco will rear it's ugly head and take over ..
I buy free range eggs from a neighbour ...but I do
live in the sticks ...

[tickledtrout]

Yes, increasingly so over the last few years. I stopped shopping at a major supermarket about 6 months ago and now go to a local chain of supermarkets based in the northwest. I do buy meat and veg from them but there policy is use local suppliers whenever possible. I would rather pay extra for my meat and we can definatly tell the difference. The veg we buy lasts longer than a week now when before it had hone off within the weekend. The shop uses local and small suppliers on items such as dairy and bakery as well, even tho like you I bake my own bread. I don,t pay much more shopping like this either, I think its down to the shop not selling as big a range as the major stores and me not buying as much ready made foods as I used to.
I have bought fresh foods from the market before but I didnt know how local it was

[naomi24]

Yes, I also live rather in the sticks, theonlyone and I buy eggs from my neighbour too. We have one family here which is practically self-sufficient. They keep chickens, sheep and and geese, father goes out shooting rabbits and pheasant, mother makes bread, cakes and biscuits, and they grow all their own fruit and vegetables. Nice idea, but I can't say I go that far.

[skyep]

Hi naomi - Can I ask if there's only youself to consider when shopping? I think in a perfect world, I would like to shop like that, however there's three in our household and we shop once a month mostly from supermarkets and freezer shops. I'm sure I do compromise on taste and quality. I have a breadmaker, that's satisfying. I buy fresh fruit from the barrows. xxx

[tickledtrout]

Have used farmers market a few times but the one near us only shows once monthly. There is a huge one every year about 10 miles away which is great we buy all sorts of stuff and freeze it. Roll on August

[naomi24]

You're right tickledtrout. People think it costs more, but it doesn't because there's less waste. I don't have to throw food away because it's gone peculiar after a day or two. And everything tastes entirely different to supermarket fare too.

[naomi24]

Hi skyep, there's only my husband and me.

[jojojojoanne]

food tastes much better when it isn't processed.

[shaneystar2]

I do a bit of both .We are lucky to have a big market twice a week and we get locally produced greengrocery ,meat and eggs from the local farms etc . Living by the coast we get fresh fish too. We still have a local independent baker where I get my bread and a couple of proper butchers and a greengrocer ..I wouldn't give Tescos the time of day .I use the local Somerfields for non food stuff ,odds and ends and admit to shopping at Lidl and Aldi too.:)

[cruella]

Hi naomi
I like yourself only go to supemarkets for cleaning materials etc.
I go to different Butchers as some of them are better with certain meats than others, only use the Fishmonger for fish, fresh veg from a Greengrocer.
My Hubby in particular, refuses to compromise on cheap products. chichens, eggs etc. especially after that TV programme with Hugh F W.
Go to say, I do have a bread maker which does all the work for us as we are both out all day.
Think at some point we all have to question the mistreatment of animals for our consumption.
I also understand that some families do not have the money to do this, but for the extra that is does cost, I do hope it eventually makes a difference to the way we choose our food.