Is it time we stopped using supermarkets?

Question

Meat tastes better from butchers, veg is better from greengrocers. Most of the food in supermarkets is overly packaged rubbish. Am I alone in avoiding these awful places? It's really time that these places were boycotted. Anyone agree?

Answer 1

I have recently read about people trying to "eat locally". This means that no longer should you eat strawberries that have crossed more time zones than you did on your last summer vacation.
Where I live, that would mean quite a change in lifestyle. Strawberries would only be available from June to mid July. As far as winter veggies, we would probably eat a lot more potatoes, carrots and turnips.
The reasoning behind this is that we spend so much money on fuel to transport food. It pollutes and contributes to global climate change.
I am not sure I would willingly do this. I confess I do like my super market. One trip and I am done. And yet there is an environmental impact when we insist on having grapes and strawberries all year round. You raise a very interesting question....

Answer 2

I'd love to be able to especially as I work in the recyclign industry and care deeply about environmental issues. Plus i like my food and want it to taste great.

Thing is tho I dont have the time to go to the differetn location, plan ahead for what I need and transporting it back. I dont have the money either so butcher meat is a rare treat if I can remember when I am passing and have a few more pence. I rarely eat meat coz I dont really like the economy meats from supermarkets.

The supermarkets have made it near impossible to survive without them. They make everything so cheap and convenient and have forced smaller, maybe better businesses out as the supermarket can offer so much more.

Answer 3

Ideally it sounds good, better still to buy direct from the grower or even grow your own, but how much time and money do we all have to do these things? Supermarkets are successful because the customers support them. No business can survive without it's customer base. The supermarket must give the majority of customer want they want. Online shopping is rapidly catching up and if you've ever ordered your weeks shop from the comfort of your own lounge and then had it delivered and carried into you own kitchen you may not go back to the supermarket again.

Answer 4

I know of one or two butchers within 50 miles of where I live, and no greengrocers. My options are limited. Our supermarkets actually have much better quality food than just a few years ago, and much better selection. Plus why waste gas driving to 8 different stores?

Answer 5

Certainly not.

The major factor in their favour is convenience. Today, I had to buy coffee, fruit, toiletries, some printer paper, bread, and a scarf. Where else am I going to find a shop where I could buy all of that under one roof, and where I could park within feet from the store entrance.

Supermarkets give you considerable choice, quality fresh produce, and helpful service. Yes, if I was having a dinner party, I'd buy meat from a butchers. But for day-to-day shopping, a supermarket is ideal.

Answer 6

I agree absolutely, but I suspect 'we' are alone......I wish more people would by from local producers and suppliers and boycott supermarkets - especially Tescos. My wife and I have managed to find local organic vegetable growers and a farm that butchers its own organic beef, pork and lamb, both of which deliver. Cost is marginally higher but the quality is so much better. It is well worth it just to know that we are not digesting so many chemicals.

Answer 7

You must have loads of cash and loads of time on your hands if you think in this day'n age a modern family can afford to trek round the high street for their weekly/monthly shop...dont tell me you want me to carry all my groceries home on the Bus ...because my car isnt eco friendly ...I would love to see you try it...

Answer 8

You do whatever suits you and leave the rest to do what suits them