Supermarket RANT!!

[TPeers]

Did you know that if a dinner lady tells a child to 'eat up' they are legally harrasing a child!

B*****y tupid isn't in it!

[Earthbabe]

Some very interesting points.

School meals - I admit I compromise and Miss EB has school dinners twice a week, other than that she has a packed lunch which usually involves a sandwich, a banana, some raisins, a yogurt/fromage frais type thing, possibly some cheese and if I am feeling generous a few crisps in a little box and a chocolate mini roll. She generally eats it all. I know because the dinner ladies put the uneaten bits back in the lunch box so I can see. Again she only has a maximum of thirty minutes to eat her lunch before going out to play.

I am increasingly trying to base our evening meals around vegetables and pulses, unfortunately when I am at work and hubby is in charge things get more processed, but then he has been at work all day and is trying to get her fed and into bed and asleep before I get home at 9.30ish.

This means I need to reassess what is available for them to cook and eat quickly that isn't laden with artificial additives and saturated fat.

I am trying to teach my daughter to cook little things and she is enjoying what we do do together. She does seem to eat more of things she has seen growing so I probably have one of the few four year olds in the city who will actually enjoy broad beans and brussel sprouts.

There are often no easy answers to these sort of issues. We on this forum are fortunate that we have had the experiences we have, have a passion for what we do and want to share it.

We are lucky also that our daughter's school has a proper veg garden and wildlife area. Many of the schools in the city have gardening clubs now which is great.

[johnty greentoes]

Do you need a hygiene certificate for that?

I did have to insist that they were all rinsed before eaten (the carrots - not the children!)

[dexterdoglancashire]

Talking of supermarkets, I read in the paper the other day that apparently some of the supermarket offers arent quite what they seem!.....tescos "half price fruit and veg" relates to the fact that they have doubled the price a couple of weeks ago, and then reduce the price to "half price" which actually means its the same price....if you understand what I mean!....the newspaper article went on to describe 10 different ways in which supermarkets "con" shoppers with "special offers". Suggest we compare prices week on week and see which comes out best - actually, according to article - try your local greengrocer - cheaper by a long run! DDL

[bubblewrap]

We have three greengrocers in Loughborough plus three or four stalls on the market on thursday & saturday all offer better value & quality than the supermarkets

[Snadger]

Surprized to find our corner shop is cheaper than Tesco's in most things....and you can just hand the owner a list!!!

[TPeers]

Our local garden centre has just started farmers markets - thinking about it, it's on today. Woodcote Green Nursery for anyone in the Croydon area.

I'm off

Bye!

[Hazel at the Hill]

Our local garden centre has just started farmers markets - ....

We have a small (and frankly a bit pathetic) farmers market in the town once a month on a Friday, and the veg chap has learnt to hide when he sees me coming! At least I do buy his produce in return for bombarding him with questions about varieties and sowing/growing times!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Read in the Lancashire Evening Post this week that Preston is finally going to have a farmers market! 29th April on the normal market if anyone is interested - am going to have a look just to see how it compares with other farmers markets Ive been to. Fingers crossed it will be a good one and become permanent! DDL

[Alison]

Most convenient farmers markets for me are the Abbey Leys one (first Sunday in the month and very good), Manchester (couple of times a month and a bit on the useless side) and various other ones that I can't get to as they're on week days. Am currently working at getting one on in Warrington within the existing indoor market (probably) which will be good but still VERY early days.

[bubblewrap]

Our local farmers market is held on the second Wednesday each month.
Such delights as ostrich & bison can be bought albeit a tad expensive.

[OverWyreGrower]

There's one in Poulton Le Fylde every last Saturday in the month...

It's not bad I guess. They have a nice veg stall, but it's mainly meats and dairy inside (pork, beef, lamb, ostrich, wild boar - all local) and cheese from the local cheesemakers (several dairies round here make bl**dy good cheese), they also have a lady that makes jam/chutnies etc, and a bread stall, with lovely flavoured breads (onion, tomato etc)

On another topic...

Parents (those on here) shouldn't feel guilty about packed lunches with "unhealthy" stuff in. If your child is a fussy eater re sandwiches (I was, I would only eat Dairylea and cucumber sandwiches with white bread) then you've got to get food into them somehow!

The problem arises when they go home and eat turkey twizzlers and chips every night with no fresh fruit or veg. Or when they can't even make a simple meal when they grow up!

[muckdiva]

Surprized to find our corner shop is cheaper than Tesco's in most things....and you can just hand the owner a list!!!

Our corner shop is very competitive on some things, and cheaper than the supermarkets on quite a few things. They were even selling Asda branded lightbulbs at next to nothing a while back

It's quite a big village and the shop is open all hours, very friendly and always packed. I try and shop there as much as possible as even though the range isn't great, they are always there when you need them.

[bramble]

We don't have a farmers market near us but I have to say our local Lidl's store does a very good range of fruit and veg. and also carries quite a lot of Irish grown veg.

[Geordie]

Was at a local antique type market today with a farmers market attached to it. Never been to a farmers market so thought i'd have a look and see what the fuss is about.

I have to say most of the food looked fantastic and on this alone quality seemed so much better.....but the prices!!!!

Steak Pies (small dinner plate size) £4.50
Beef Joints £25 +
Leeks 30p each
Carrots £1.85 kilo
Elderflower cordial 750cl £3.25
Sausages on special offer 4 packs of 6 sausages for £10
Nettle cheese (average wedge size) £4.50
Jam £1.75

I was amazed to be honest, I knew it would be more expensive but I tried to work out a bill for a weeks worth of shopping for a family but ran out of fingers and toes and it wasnt even Tuesday!

I think the price of 'exotic' meat such as wild boar is more expensive than sterling silver.

Is it me?????