[Food] Vegi supermarket wars

[nicko31]

Farmers/producers being stiffed by the supermarkets again

No sure if they're paying for this one. Classic loss leader to get punters in

Aldi 9th out of 10 for use of pesticides

Pesticide Action Network UK's Supermarket Ranking 2024

Find out more...

www.pan-uk.org

 

[mikeyjh]

which is great IF you can afford it and have transport to get to a farm. Many folk aren’t in that position

I don't disagree, I would NEVER criticise someone who needs to count every penny from buying cheap veg or chicken or whatever but I can't hand on heart pay 8p for a bag - People are being stiffed in that chain and what you're buying clearly isn't the best. If you can afford to pay a bit more, you should, IMO of course.

 

[beorhthelm]

Farmers/producers being stiffed by the supermarkets again

they farm to a contact with the large supermarkets, if the contract doesn't cover the basics they dont get into it. this is more loss leader, or simply priced in over the year.

 

[dazzer6666]

they farm to a contact with the large supermarkets, if the contract doesn't cover the basics they dont get into it. this is more loss leader, or simply priced in over the year.

….and they’re stiffed on their contracts, continually

 

[WATFORD zero]

No sure if they're paying for this one. Classic loss leader to get punters in

Aldi 9th out of 10 for use of pesticides

Pesticide Action Network UK's Supermarket Ranking 2024

Find out more...

www.pan-uk.org

I guess it's hardly surprising that I could have guessed the use of pesticides table directly from the average prices of those top 10 supermarkets.

Unfortunately as ever, you get what you pay for

 

[BevBHA]

I've used that Aldi many times. It's a lazy driving thing from me of just 2 minutes on the A27 to Sainsbury's.

Did that get planning permission? I lobbied at the first instance when Aldi sent the leaflets out, for it to go ahead.

Aldi man here. We got the go ahead for the store and it will open in Q1 2026

 

[Weststander]

Aldi man here. We got the go ahead for the store and it will open in Q1 2026

Fantastic. That's two minutes away from us. Farewell $$$$ Sainsbury's.

 

[nickbrighton]

the idea that farmers shops offer "local fresh produce" is IMO a bit of a fallacy. Farmshops get their produce delivered just like the supermarkets from central locations.Fruit A lot of fruit and veg simply isnt in season or grown in the UK . Quality is a bit better than supermarkets , but you do generally pay more for it. Sacks of Potatoes are very good value-if you can use up a sack that is.

Im not convinced by the Waitrose is better fruit and veg argument too much anymore- they may sell straighter carrots and evenly curved bananas and perfectly shaped and washed Potatoes but actual quality (taste, freshness) wise I dont think there is a massive difference anymore. If its asthetics you are after fair do-but I dont mind a bit of misshapen fruit and veg

 

[Thunder Bolt]

the idea that farmers shops offer "local fresh produce" is IMO a bit of a fallacy. Farmshops get their produce delivered just like the supermarkets from central locations.Fruit A lot of fruit and veg simply isnt in season or grown in the UK . Quality is a bit better than supermarkets , but you do generally pay more for it. Sacks of Potatoes are very good value-if you can use up a sack that is.

Im not convinced by the Waitrose is better fruit and veg argument too much anymore- they may sell straighter carrots and evenly curved bananas and perfectly shaped and washed Potatoes but actual quality (taste, freshness) wise I dont think there is a massive difference anymore. If its asthetics you are after fair do-but I dont mind a bit of misshapen fruit and veg

Morrisons do a good line in 'wonky veg'.

 

[Professor Plum]

Forgot to mention, we popped into Tesco last week as the wife wanted something only they had (think it was hair dye). Anyway it was on special but when I went to the counter I'd forgotten my clubcard. No problem thought I, asked the next customer if I could use theirs. Cashier siad I couldn't do that, so we walked out and left the item.

That’s what I like to see. Someone taking a principled stand on one of the big issues of the day. I’m sure the cashier was filled with shame and remorse. Fact is, you made an error but somehow feel aggrieved.

It’s pretty obvious from a Tesco perspective why people shouldn’t get discounts by borrowing a card from a random stranger. Why not download the Tesco app and use your phone? Pretty much all my loyalty cards are on my phone now.

 

[nickbrighton]

Morrisons do a good line in 'wonky veg'.

this whole "wonky" veg thing is a disgrace-or rather -the idea that veg must be perfect is, the amount of perfectly good produce thrown away because it doesnt comply with some idiots view that carrots should be straight and conical, potatoes must be oval, bananas should have a certain curve, veg or fruit skin (that gets peeled anyway) should be blemish free etc is scandalous.

The main culprits are unfortunately the consumers who fall for it and dont buy slightly misshapen produce, or are scared to wash a bit of mud off loose veg. As long as its not gone off in someway then who really cares.
The cost to farmers who grow tonnes of food simply to bin it because supermarkets wont buy it must be astronomical and the reason supermarkets dont buy a lot of it is because we dont buy it from them

When customers stop buying perfectly shaped oranges and bananas placed on a plastic trays and then wrapped in plastic film supermarkets will sell more "wonky veg" and some of the waste mountain will be reduced

 

[Thunder Bolt]

this whole "wonky" veg thing is a disgrace-or rather -the idea that veg must be perfect is, the amount of perfectly good produce thrown away because it doesnt comply with some idiots view that carrots should be straight and conical, potatoes must be oval, bananas should have a certain curve, veg or fruit skin (that gets peeled anyway) should be blemish free etc is scandalous.

The main culprits are unfortunately the consumers who fall for it and dont buy slightly misshapen produce, or are scared to wash a bit of mud off loose veg. As long as its not gone off in someway then who really cares.
The cost to farmers who grow tonnes of food simply to bin it because supermarkets wont buy it must be astronomical and the reason supermarkets dont buy a lot of it is because we dont buy it from them

When customers stop buying perfectly shaped oranges and bananas placed on a plastic trays and then wrapped in plastic film supermarkets will sell more "wonky veg" and some of the waste mountain will be reduced

Thanks for the lecture. I agree and do buy the wonky veg/fruit when available.

 

[jordanseagull]

The veg in supermarkets is so flavourless to the point of being virtually inedible. It's so cheap because they've taken every possible measure to make it cheap... at the cost of flavour and to some degree nutrition.

While I do my main shopping at Tesco, I never buy the veg there. M&S & to a lesser degree Waitrose sell better produce, but it's still not very good.

I end up going to farm shops for fresh, local, high quality produce. It's about 5 times the price, but absolutely worth it.

To a huge degree nutrition* - but yes, you are right.

 

[jordanseagull]

Aldi Portslade is only just round the corner ! I'll give you the parking can be awful - hopefully the new store at the top of Snakey will resolve that issue. That said, sometimes I can be too lazy to go to Aldi if it's just a top-up shop and use Sainsburys West Hove instead despite their shelves being increasingly empty and the ridiculous security measures.

I'm with @Official Old Man - why on earth would anyone do their Christmas food shop in Sainsburys, Tesco, Asda or Waitrose when Aldi and Lidl are so so much cheaper.

EDIT - and Sainsburys "Aldi Price Match" isn't always truthful.

Because they're indisputably not the same product - although as has been mentioned, the higher tier supermarkets largely offer average product too.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Every morning my wife tells me supermarket x has lowered the cost of vegetables. Today it's Aldi who promise the lowest and have anounced a price of 8p
From 19 December, 1kg of carrots, 500g parsnips, 500g Brussels sprouts, 2kg white potatoes, red and white cabbages, and broccoli will be available for 8p.
My Xmas shop yesterday was just under £200 at Aldi for a party of 7. That includes beef, turkey, gammon, veg (I hate sprouts), wine, crisps, Baileys chocolate cake, other cakes that will get wasted, 5 cheeses and all the other food needed to stuff ourselves stupid.
But we always shop at Aldi and Tesco next door could be giving away veg for all I care, we'd go in and grab just the veg.
As a side, Tesco have beef joints half price with a clubcard, but Aldi is still cheaper.
So does cutting a 'must have' item on your shopping list encourage you to shop at a certain store?

Maybe one of the multiple top quality fruit 'n' veg outlets in London road (Pamir / Tropical 4 U / Taj / Open Market stall) could cut you a deal on their far superior produce?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Im not convinced by the Waitrose is better fruit and veg argument too much anymore-

They certainly have better customers though…that’s good enough for me.

 

[albionalba]

The big question is will anyone on this thread (and beyond) be able to stay off the topic of the price of veg, supermarkets generally (and probably air fryers) during Christmas dinner table conversations. Sadly I include the table I'll be sat at as probably beset by that first world problem too.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Farmers/producers being stiffed by the supermarkets again

How? This is the most obvious loss leader of all time. Can't imagine they are buying them for any more or less.

 

[PeterOut]

How? This is the most obvious loss leader of all time. Can't imagine they are buying them for any more or less.

There are some that would disagree with you - it will be interesting to see how this case plays out https://www.theguardian.com/busines...orkshire-farmers-37m-sprout-dispute-with-aldi

 

[vegster]

There is a Facebook group called " Preserving and canning UK " and they go mad for these cheap veg....they peel, chop and cook this stuff then put it in expensive glass jars and boil the arse out of them so they can store them..must cost a fortune to " preserve " a couple of Kilos of Sprouts...but they are happy. I really don't get it.