We try to buy our fruits and vegetables from a local green shop. But unfortunately, some of their items are so expensive that we have to pick those items from a nearby supermarket. Either they are charging extra commission to provide...
We try to buy our fruits and vegetables from a local green shop. But unfortunately, some of their items are so expensive that we have to pick those items from a nearby supermarket. Either they are charging extra commission to provide 'healthy' food, or supermarkets are using some tricks to keep the prices low. Either way, our budget allows us to only buy about half of what we need from the green shop. Wish that wasn't the case.
I buy organic and fair trade products from supermarkets and especially ocado that has a good choice of locally sourced products. I also visit my local farm or go to pick up my own veg and fruit when the season allows it. I refuse to buy...
I buy organic and fair trade products from supermarkets and especially ocado that has a good choice of locally sourced products. I also visit my local farm or go to pick up my own veg and fruit when the season allows it. I refuse to buy products that come further than Europe or when out of season. In my area farmers market are very expensive and not worth it. There are too many fast food and junk pizza places around Enfield.
Shops on high st eg Tesco a or sainsbury , I cycle home so can't carry much need more veg in frozen sections in store . Way too many restaurants takeaways and unhealthy food it's hard to shop for healthy food that I can afford need way more...
Shops on high st eg Tesco a or sainsbury , I cycle home so can't carry much need more veg in frozen sections in store . Way too many restaurants takeaways and unhealthy food it's hard to shop for healthy food that I can afford need way more frozen options -sick of kebab pizza and chicken shops everywhere!! ,
I go to a lot of trouble now to do my weekly shop to avoid packaging. I use a local milkman that I hope provides 'happy cow' milk. I buy a veg box so I only get what is in season. I go to a butchers for cheese, meat and deli in my own...
I go to a lot of trouble now to do my weekly shop to avoid packaging. I use a local milkman that I hope provides 'happy cow' milk. I buy a veg box so I only get what is in season. I go to a butchers for cheese, meat and deli in my own packaging. I bulk buy what I can and am careful what laundry and cleaning products I choose to reduce packaging. I also try to avoid packaging when I buy lunch at work - Leon, Itsu and Eat can give you warm food in your own box or else I go to the canteen. We bring our own water bottles, cups and cutlery wherever we go. We have more than halved our rubbish each week with composting and recycling. Hoping we can get to one rubbish bag a month eventually.
I would love it if I could get rice, pasta, chickpeas, etc from bulk bins at my local supermarket. And cereal too. And why does yoghurt and cream have to come in plastic and not re-usable glass like milk?!
We've tried Lewisham, Dartford and Dalston markets over time. All OK but I have no problem buying wonky vegetables in supermarkets. What I do like to do is buy British if at all possible.
We've tried Lewisham, Dartford and Dalston markets over time. All OK but I have no problem buying wonky vegetables in supermarkets. What I do like to do is buy British if at all possible.
Veg, meat and fish generally from Abel & Cole, with top up essentials such as oat milk (I'm dairy-free) and gluten free alternatives to bread and wraps from Sainsburys. However, I'd much rather be able to shop at local greengrocers...
Veg, meat and fish generally from Abel & Cole, with top up essentials such as oat milk (I'm dairy-free) and gluten free alternatives to bread and wraps from Sainsburys. However, I'd much rather be able to shop at local greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers but other than the very expensive grocer in Wimbledon Village there is little choice. I do find Abel & Cole expensive and you can't choose the portion sizes, but on the whole I prefer the fact that it comes mostly in cardboard or paper and not the acres of plastic found in supermarkets.
I used to live near a street market that sold fruit and veg and it was great. I'd walk to it and fill up a back pack each time. Since moving to another borough and from zone 2 to zone 5/6 my choices now are supermarkets or high street...
I used to live near a street market that sold fruit and veg and it was great. I'd walk to it and fill up a back pack each time. Since moving to another borough and from zone 2 to zone 5/6 my choices now are supermarkets or high street greengrocer and I have to drive to them. I wont use the greengrocer because its difficult to track the cost, there is no itemised receipt and I dont trust their scales or mental arithmetic! I rarely eat out because I prefer my own, home cooked food. I know whats in it and how it has been cooked. Its also far cheaper than going out. The only take aways I have, 1 or 2 times a month is fish and chips WITHOUT added salt and vinegar.
The point of fast food is that it’s cheap and fast. While I think that healthy fast food is a good idea, it would be hard for it to live up to those two key points. For that reason it could be nearly impossible.
The point of fast food is that it’s cheap and fast. While I think that healthy fast food is a good idea, it would be hard for it to live up to those two key points. For that reason it could be nearly impossible.
A year or so ago I decided to find a green grocer rather than buy shrinkwrapped stuff from the supermarket. I've found a good one who sells really fresh and high quality produce, it's changed my cooking and eating habits, it's significantly...
A year or so ago I decided to find a green grocer rather than buy shrinkwrapped stuff from the supermarket. I've found a good one who sells really fresh and high quality produce, it's changed my cooking and eating habits, it's significantly cheaper and better than the supermarket and I realise that I eat probably three times more fruit and veg than I used to.
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Official Representative 7 years agoThanks everyone for sharing your views.
What food options are available in your local neighbourhood or high street?
Some of you have mentioned you shop locally. What about others, do you use your local supermarkets, restaurants or cafés?
Is there enough variety near where you live?
Talk London
JenniferB53
Community Member 7 years agoNo! I live in a food desert. Loads of takeaways and restaurants, but no butcher, baker, candlestick maker old style shops that I grew up with.
Show full commentNo! I live in a food desert. Loads of takeaways and restaurants, but no butcher, baker, candlestick maker old style shops that I grew up with.
Show less of commentpanmaya
Community Member 7 years agoWe try to buy our fruits and vegetables from a local green shop. But unfortunately, some of their items are so expensive that we have to pick those items from a nearby supermarket. Either they are charging extra commission to provide...
Show full commentWe try to buy our fruits and vegetables from a local green shop. But unfortunately, some of their items are so expensive that we have to pick those items from a nearby supermarket. Either they are charging extra commission to provide 'healthy' food, or supermarkets are using some tricks to keep the prices low. Either way, our budget allows us to only buy about half of what we need from the green shop. Wish that wasn't the case.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoLocal Waitros and Morrison’s
Show full commentLocal Waitros and Morrison’s
Show less of commentbrunomichela
Community Member 7 years agoI buy organic and fair trade products from supermarkets and especially ocado that has a good choice of locally sourced products. I also visit my local farm or go to pick up my own veg and fruit when the season allows it. I refuse to buy...
Show full commentI buy organic and fair trade products from supermarkets and especially ocado that has a good choice of locally sourced products. I also visit my local farm or go to pick up my own veg and fruit when the season allows it. I refuse to buy products that come further than Europe or when out of season. In my area farmers market are very expensive and not worth it. There are too many fast food and junk pizza places around Enfield.
Show less of commentemspaws
Community Member 7 years agoShops on high st eg Tesco a or sainsbury , I cycle home so can't carry much need more veg in frozen sections in store . Way too many restaurants takeaways and unhealthy food it's hard to shop for healthy food that I can afford need way more...
Show full commentShops on high st eg Tesco a or sainsbury , I cycle home so can't carry much need more veg in frozen sections in store . Way too many restaurants takeaways and unhealthy food it's hard to shop for healthy food that I can afford need way more frozen options -sick of kebab pizza and chicken shops everywhere!! ,
Show less of commentBekiJM
Community Member 7 years agoCouldn't agree more. Why are there so many chicken shops? Not only unhealthy but the bones and boxes are thrown everywhere!
Show full commentCouldn't agree more. Why are there so many chicken shops? Not only unhealthy but the bones and boxes are thrown everywhere!
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoThe worst is the takeawaya which use the plastic foam boxes that are never recyled- these should be banned!
Show full commentThe worst is the takeawaya which use the plastic foam boxes that are never recyled- these should be banned!
Show less of commentBridgetodonovan
Community Member 7 years agoI go to a lot of trouble now to do my weekly shop to avoid packaging. I use a local milkman that I hope provides 'happy cow' milk. I buy a veg box so I only get what is in season. I go to a butchers for cheese, meat and deli in my own...
Show full commentI go to a lot of trouble now to do my weekly shop to avoid packaging. I use a local milkman that I hope provides 'happy cow' milk. I buy a veg box so I only get what is in season. I go to a butchers for cheese, meat and deli in my own packaging. I bulk buy what I can and am careful what laundry and cleaning products I choose to reduce packaging. I also try to avoid packaging when I buy lunch at work - Leon, Itsu and Eat can give you warm food in your own box or else I go to the canteen. We bring our own water bottles, cups and cutlery wherever we go. We have more than halved our rubbish each week with composting and recycling. Hoping we can get to one rubbish bag a month eventually.
I would love it if I could get rice, pasta, chickpeas, etc from bulk bins at my local supermarket. And cereal too. And why does yoghurt and cream have to come in plastic and not re-usable glass like milk?!
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoCream and pasta etc are my problems as well. Mayor should support more bulk shops.
Show full commentCream and pasta etc are my problems as well. Mayor should support more bulk shops.
Show less of commentrjbrooks
Community Member 7 years agoWe've tried Lewisham, Dartford and Dalston markets over time. All OK but I have no problem buying wonky vegetables in supermarkets. What I do like to do is buy British if at all possible.
Show full commentWe've tried Lewisham, Dartford and Dalston markets over time. All OK but I have no problem buying wonky vegetables in supermarkets. What I do like to do is buy British if at all possible.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoVeg, meat and fish generally from Abel & Cole, with top up essentials such as oat milk (I'm dairy-free) and gluten free alternatives to bread and wraps from Sainsburys. However, I'd much rather be able to shop at local greengrocers...
Show full commentVeg, meat and fish generally from Abel & Cole, with top up essentials such as oat milk (I'm dairy-free) and gluten free alternatives to bread and wraps from Sainsburys. However, I'd much rather be able to shop at local greengrocers, butchers and fishmongers but other than the very expensive grocer in Wimbledon Village there is little choice. I do find Abel & Cole expensive and you can't choose the portion sizes, but on the whole I prefer the fact that it comes mostly in cardboard or paper and not the acres of plastic found in supermarkets.
Show less of commentCaro1000
Community Member 7 years agoSadly a supermarket, our local market was decimated, we have no greengrocers nowadays.
Show full commentSadly a supermarket, our local market was decimated, we have no greengrocers nowadays.
Show less of commentJenniferB53
Community Member 7 years agoI agree. All I have near me a 'metros' and 'locals'. Nowhere that specialises in fruit and veg. As Trump would say, "very sad"!
Show full commentI agree. All I have near me a 'metros' and 'locals'. Nowhere that specialises in fruit and veg. As Trump would say, "very sad"!
Show less of commentMrmole
Community Member 7 years agoI used to live near a street market that sold fruit and veg and it was great. I'd walk to it and fill up a back pack each time. Since moving to another borough and from zone 2 to zone 5/6 my choices now are supermarkets or high street...
Show full commentI used to live near a street market that sold fruit and veg and it was great. I'd walk to it and fill up a back pack each time. Since moving to another borough and from zone 2 to zone 5/6 my choices now are supermarkets or high street greengrocer and I have to drive to them. I wont use the greengrocer because its difficult to track the cost, there is no itemised receipt and I dont trust their scales or mental arithmetic! I rarely eat out because I prefer my own, home cooked food. I know whats in it and how it has been cooked. Its also far cheaper than going out. The only take aways I have, 1 or 2 times a month is fish and chips WITHOUT added salt and vinegar.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoI'm thinking we would benefit from economically priced fast food franchises which offers tastey healthy options...
Show full commentI'm thinking we would benefit from economically priced fast food franchises which offers tastey healthy options...
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 7 years agoThe point of fast food is that it’s cheap and fast. While I think that healthy fast food is a good idea, it would be hard for it to live up to those two key points. For that reason it could be nearly impossible.
Show full commentThe point of fast food is that it’s cheap and fast. While I think that healthy fast food is a good idea, it would be hard for it to live up to those two key points. For that reason it could be nearly impossible.
Show less of commentBarbara Lawrence
Community Member 7 years agoA year or so ago I decided to find a green grocer rather than buy shrinkwrapped stuff from the supermarket. I've found a good one who sells really fresh and high quality produce, it's changed my cooking and eating habits, it's significantly...
Show full commentA year or so ago I decided to find a green grocer rather than buy shrinkwrapped stuff from the supermarket. I've found a good one who sells really fresh and high quality produce, it's changed my cooking and eating habits, it's significantly cheaper and better than the supermarket and I realise that I eat probably three times more fruit and veg than I used to.
Show less of commentTopcatthehat
Community Member 7 years agoI love Lewisham market it is very good value so we tend to buy most of fruit and veg from there
Show full commentI love Lewisham market it is very good value so we tend to buy most of fruit and veg from there
Show less of comment