Forget Tesco and & Asda, watch out for Waitrose

http://www.guardian.co.uk/supermarkets/story/0,,2116982,00.html

I'm starting to feel like no matter what I do, my shopping habits are ultimately going to screw somebody or another.

It's so hard. I mean unless you have the time, energy, and cash to shop exclusively at local shops, you're going to be doing something that hurts the little guys.  I think Waitrose is still the lesser of the evils - they still do really try to pay farmers reasonable money and make small gestures toward really local food. Ours now has something called "five mile pork" or something like that - a line that is sourced within a five mile radius of the store.... It is really hard to see small shops struggle against the big guns though....

I agree that it takes time to shop at local shops, and I fully understand that a lot of people don't have that luxury. But as for money, I've found that I'm spending a bit less on food now that I'm staying out of supermarkets. It's definitely cost-effective to shop in the small local shops!

As for Waitrose, well, all the big chains are harmful to some extent. Tesco just gets singled out because it's the biggest and possibly has the worst reputation in terms of dealing with farmers. Though Asda is just as bad. But Tesco, Asda, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Somerfield ... it's really a question of picking your poison.

As I've said, though, a lot of people don't have time to shop with the little guys, so I'm not indicting people who shop at the big supermarkets for that reason. But, seriously, if you do have the time ... there's no excuse.

Our local butcher is a huge, posh rip-off. They cater to a very rich crowd (i.e. our stupid village). I definitely can't afford to use them. And the butchers around work, because of the ethnic make up of the area, sell about 95% halal meat, which I won't buy for ethical reasons. Our green grocer was run out of town by the threat of Tesco coming in. So yeah, for me it's 100% time. I just can't be running all over the place to do the weekly shop....   

And the butchers around work, because of the ethnic make up of the area, sell about 95% halal meat, which I won't buy for ethical reasons.

Just out of curiosity, why is that - or do I not want to know. PM if you prefer.

Yes, I know it's a question of picking the lesser evil. DH and I have to repeatedly remind ourselves that when our budget situation changes, which it will, we will make a definitive effort to shop more ethically. Right now, all I can worry about is getting some food in the cupboards. Sadly, the 2 of the good independent shops in Exeter have already closed. Despite being in the bountiful southwest, the only choices here are the big chains, 2 small delis, and the amazing but expensive Darts Farm.

Despite being in the bountiful southwest, the only choices here are the big chains, 2 small delis, and the amazing but expensive Darts Farm.

I hope it's better than that in Cornwall. Right now, I have a lot of great choice, and I've grown very used to it!

I really wish I could shop at local shops but it's hard for various reasons.  I'm at work 8-5.30ish and by the time I get out most of them are shut.  I don't work close enough to them to buy stuff and put it in the fridge at work either.

Also Inverness isn't too good in that regard.  There are some decent local butchers but i've yet to find a greengrocer   

Most people use supermarkets because they are convenient and cheap.  Sadly not everyone has the time and money to be picky where they shop.

I hope it's better than that in Cornwall. Right now, I have a lot of great choice, and I've grown very used to it!

There are a lot of independent farm shops. I have some lists if you want. But for me, it's not financially viable to drive to them (paying for petrol) and then potentially paying more for the goods. I WANT to, but I just can't now. I know some people seem to be able to pay less overall by not shopping at the supermarkets, but we haven't figured out how to do it yet. That's why I've been a bit quite about ethical shopping lately...

There are a lot of independent farm shops. I have some lists if you want.

I'll take you up on that when I know where we're going to be! Thanks!

Just out of curiosity, why is that - or do I not want to know. PM if you prefer.

Just butting in here... i expect it is because in halal butchery, they are not allowed to stun the animal first, so it's not considered to be 'humane' killing.   It may be something more than that which Anne was referring to, though.

I feel so lucky - living in Leeds suburbia!  Our green grocer and butcher (both excellent & reasonable) are less than a five minute walk down the street from our home -- Steve usually does a Saturday morning shop there.  We can pick up additional meat & produce at the Leeds city market on our lunch breaks through the week if we need to or want to.

However, we're not 100% virtuous because we do supplement with supermarket stuff -- I work in the same building as a big Morrisons and there's another less than five minutes walk down the street from our house.

However, we're not 100% virtuous because we do supplement with supermarket stuff

I haven't yet worked out a way not to do this. Where else would you buy kitchen roll, Fairy liquid, etc.? I do stick to the smaller chains of supermarkets, but I'm not sure that really makes a difference.

When we're talking about local shops to buy food and goods, are we talking about like your local off license, cause we have loads of small poky places around here that sell like, paper towls, soap, maybe have a small section of milk and vegetables, and that's it. There is a butcher nearby that is halal, and all the meat looks like it's been there for awhile :/

My husband says he doesn't really prefer buying milk from a little small shop around here because it won't last as long as a supermarkets or it won't be as good.....

When we're talking about local shops to buy food and goods, are we talking about like your local off license

I'm not sure what others are talking about, but when I say I'm shopping locally I mean that I go to independent farm shops, greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, etc.

I'm not sure what others are talking about, but when I say I'm shopping locally I mean that I go to independent farm shops, greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, etc.

Me too.

I use our corner shop all of the time when I run out of things unexpectedly. I've never found any difference whatsoever in the quality of the milk.