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Topic: Where can I find good fresh fruits?  (Read 1526 times)

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Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« on: September 04, 2014, 10:19:35 PM »
I moved to Manchester 2 weeks ago. I have been quite disappointed by the fruit selections at supermarkets. I've shopped at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Aldi, Waitrose, and Morrisons. The selections are pretty small (compared to US supermarkets), and the prices can be a bit ridiculous - e.g., apples at quite a few stores are sold for 25-30 p per piece (!!). I wonder if you guys have any suggestions on where to find good fresh fruits.

Also, for those of you who shop at Costco in the UK, how are the fruit/veggie selections at Costco?

Thanks!!


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Re: Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« Reply #1 on: September 05, 2014, 07:48:04 AM »
Are you going to "full-size" supermarkets?  Or just to those little city centre jobs?  I find Waitrose adequate to my fruit needs but they are pricey.  You could look out for an old-fashioned fruiterer -- what a weird word that is! -- but I don't think they'd have a broader selection.
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Re: Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2014, 09:07:09 AM »
I buy a lot of fruit at Aldi and generally find the price/quality as good as anywhere. Morrison's is my 2nd choice. For the 'big name' supermarkets, it has to be the full size stores as Boston Diner pointed out; the little convenience stores cater to a different market.

Years ago I bought a lot of fresh fruit/veg in the twice weekly town market in Chorley near where we lived in Lancashire, plus went to the main market in Preston. Lots of vendors and lots of choice.

I'm not overly impressed by the market where I now live as there's only one fruit/veg vendor.
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Re:
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2014, 09:14:09 AM »
Also, I'd recommend buying fruit and veg at local markets - a lot cheaper than supermarkets! Lidl, Aldi etc are cheap too.


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Re: Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2014, 05:06:58 PM »
When I'm around the street markets I definitely get my fruit from them! The berries tend to last longer and have better flavor and my nectarines were heavenly.

Morrisons has certain vegetables that are 49p, like broccoli and well I don't eat many other vegetables... but the carrots are cheap and cauliflower is often 1 quid a head. And the brussell sprouts are awesome when in season.

Sainsbury's and Morrisons offer the berries at 2 for 3 a lot. They have apples that are by the kilo or in packs.

I absolutely adore our local Tesco Extra. It's HUGE. Definitely more like the grocery stores I'm used to. It's a bit like a super Target with the clothes area. It is more expensive compared to Morrison's or Sainsbury's, but it has more options. And they have brussell sprouts right now! No one else does. They also have these super fine mung bean noodles I haven't been able to find anywhere else. I was thinking I'd have to go hunt up an Oriental Market to find them!
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Re: Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2014, 07:19:40 PM »
First off, to get the nicest fruit possible, for the best price Eat the seasons  

In my area (the north of Scotland), the plum trees are now full, the brambles and bilberries are now out, loganberries, tayberries, blackberries and aronia berries are out too. Apples should be out very soon too.  Eating in season gives you the most amazing fruits.  I am so lucky to have my own allotment and an amazing fruit farm right near me.  

That said, do you have a greengrocer or catering supply company (that sells to the public) near you?  Or a good veg box supplier usually also has fruit and they will deliver to your door.  These will almost always be the seasonal stuff. Yum!

Anything else like Oranges and Bananas will be imported from somewhere warm like Spain and beyond.  No getting around that.  A good greengrocer should have the best of these too.  

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Re: Where can I find good fresh fruits?
« Reply #6 on: September 22, 2014, 11:57:06 PM »
Have you looked at these:
http://www.feedingmanchester.org.uk/farmers-markets
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/583/local_markets

Ethnic supermarkets are also a good idea, I get lots of ingredients at my local for not very much- Middle Eastern and Chinese shops are fantastic.
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