UK Supermarkets fear supplier meltdown!

I was in my local Tesco's this morning & noticed a huge increase in the price of essential foodstuffs - fruit, veg, milk, meat (especially fresh vegetables)

For example, last Monday a head of fresh Brocolli was 45p, today it's 79p - that's a 75% increase in one week!

...and, fair enough as the silly season is almost upon us you'd expect certain things to go from the shelves pretty quickly...BUT...this has been going on for a few weeks now. Large gaps that appear on the shelves which would normally be filled the same day now remain empty for days at a time.

It's not just the supermarkets either.

I have 3 dogs[2 Great Danes & a whippet] and wont feed them the dried, processed rubbish. So I buy bulk packs of frozen meat every 2 weeks for them. The place I buy the meat from now struggles to get hold of it..AND..the wholesale price has increased.

Even my local butcher is getting hit hard with the wholesale meat price increases! So much so, that he doesn't think he'll still be in business after the new year..

[Dantheman62]

Here's some comparisons for you,I just came back from the store and paid(US dollars),$2.49 for a bunch of Brocolli,(3 stalks with heads)$2.49 for a huge head of Cauliflower, $1.31/lb. of sweet onions, $1.05/lb. for Tomato on the vine,$1.69 for a head of lettuce, $3.19/lb. for ground chuck(hamburger),$2.39 for toilet paper(4 double roll pack),$3.99 for a case of bottled water(24 .5 liter bottles),and $25.99 for a carton of Marlboro(10 packs), geez it's cheaper to buy water and cigs than to buy food! Everything I bought came to $134.86 and tax was $4.16 on top of that.

[THE eXchanger]

in canada -- looking at a flyer
cdn dollars about 80% of US dollars)

$1.49 for a bunch of Brocolli,(3 stalks with heads)
$1.49 for a huge head of Cauliflower,
.30./lb onions
$1.49/lb. for Tomato on the vine,
$.99 for a head of lettuce,
$2.49 lb. for ground chuck(hamburger)
$3.99 lb. for ground steak
$1.99 for toilet paper(4 double roll pack)
$3.99 for a case of bottled water(24 .5 liter bottles),and
(none of the above items are taxable)

except the toilet paper 2.26 (taxes included)


i asked at the store about this one:
taxes in these prices
$68.00 for a carton of budjet cirgarettes (10 x 20)
$80.00 for a carton of dumaurier (10 x 20)

[Dantheman62]

I see my prices are a little higher, I didn't go to the cheapest place either, and last week I could've paid less for sure! Wow I need to smuggle cigarettes into Canada! LOL!

[THE eXchanger]

yup ; i saw someone check out in front of me
NOT buying by the carton

$10.49 for 20 smokes - of dumaurier

cigarettes, i believe,
are also,
very expensive in the UK

i guess, in the USA, they hope you smoke yourself to death

also, i have heard, that cigs from the native reserves
are cheaper

and, they also have tobacco, without additives
for ceremony purposes

ahh...the prices-they all suck

my local dollar store,
he said; that; for the first 15 days of the month,
he operates, for NOTHING

i can NOT imagine, going to work
to make nothing, for 15 days of the month

i think, it's why;
people are starting to learn how
to distribute themselves
(if anyone wants info on that
email me -- i am single/bought my own house/
and, did it all networking, so, i know it is possible to do)
and, i just work at it - part-time

forget about working for someone else,
that, just doesn't seem to work anymore)
if you love products-and, you can refer others to buy them,
and, everyone gets paid, to me, that makes a lot more sense (both neways/and, rgarden-make their own products) www.ineways.com/workingwonders
or, www.rgarden.net/workingwonders

the top distributor in neways, makes over $1,000,000/year

[Dantheman62]

Yes there is natural tobacco cigs, and you can save alot by buying cigs from any indian res. Oh yeah, almost forgot gasoline! here it's $1.59 US per gallon!, not bad at all.

[Czymra]

Originally Posted by eXchanger

and, they also have tobacco, without additives
for ceremony purposes

ahh...the prices-they all suck

Regarding that, does anyone happen to know (and provide me with a link) what the whole 'ban smoking' thing is about?
Thanks.

[Czymra]

Originally Posted by Dantheman62

Here's some comparisons for you,I just came back from the store and paid(US dollars),$2.49 for a bunch of Brocolli,(3 stalks with heads)$2.49 for a huge head of Cauliflower, $1.31/lb. of sweet onions, $1.05/lb. for Tomato on the vine,$1.69 for a head of lettuce, $3.19/lb. for ground chuck(hamburger),$2.39 for toilet paper(4 double roll pack),$3.99 for a case of bottled water(24 .5 liter bottles),and $25.99 for a carton of Marlboro(10 packs), geez it's cheaper to buy water and cigs than to buy food! Everything I bought came to $134.86 and tax was $4.16 on top of that.

Living expensive is a whole lot healthier.
Any suggestions as to how to face this apart from starting your own little Walton's Project?

[Dantheman62]

Yeah Czymra, you can do alot better by going to local farmers markets and such but of course they are seasonal mostly. And I would normally buy Organic or at least natural stuff but It's alot more expensive.

[Czymra]

I do that with half of my food which is about as much as I can do being a student. I love the idea but when the food stocks are empty, I doubt there'll be enough local farming.
The gist of the lesson is that, if we're hit this year, we're effed right? What can one eat in today's forests of middle Europe, esp. in winter?

[THE eXchanger]

in our local organic place
if you do NOT actually ask for case price
they don't offer it -- ask the store managers
they are normally very happy to oblige

and, remember, if it gets to having to barter

what do you have - that you can barter with ???

love/susan

[THE eXchanger]

well -- it's one way to drive people home to drink

in a lot of places - like canada -- liquor stores /beer stores
are NOT privately owned - so, the gov't makes a lot
when people buy there

also, it's just another way to close down
"mum and, pop" type of operations

you see ...
The iLLS
they NEVER thought, any of their slaves
would break free -- however, some did

right NOW--
the baby boomers,
parents are dying in record numbers,
and, as, a result of that --is many are inheriting a lot of money

it's quite simple --
a lot of those people, our parents
lived differently than their kids

they didn't go into debt, except for a house/or mortgage

look at people you know
45 to 65
(many of that group--are either totally debt free,
or, just have just a mortgage)

or,

they live in debt/and, always have
and, own nothing

look at kids 35-45 -- most of them
never purchased houses / and, just finished paying off
student loans / and, live on credit

the group 25 to 35 --
most of them, still carrying student loans
NEVER purchased houses
and, also live on credit

the largest transference of wealth is happening NOW

how many people do you know
45 - 65 - who inherited a lot of money ?

i know quite a few

funny thing is, a lot of them,
since, they never earned that type of money,
it went through their fingers,
like water, running through hands

some, i know, plugged it into houses/in areas
they never should of invested in; and; lost it all

some, i know, plugged it into projects
to make themselves famous,
and, then, the projects didn't pan out

some, i know, invested into ponzi type schemes,
and, then, lost it all

and, a few, were smart,
and, paid off, everything they owed,
purchased something they loved for cash
and, then, lived simple

the largest transference of wealth is going on NOW

and, i think, many of these people "the ills"
they know, that most of the people in line to inherit,
will NOT invest in the stock markets/bonds/etc.,
and, it is making them very nervous

i haven't yet inherited, so, fortunately for me,
i NEVER had the option, to waste things,
and, i had to be very careful how i monitored
my own choices --
i learned how to exchange/and, how to work !!!
it is NOT a hard thing to do ...
more, of us, need to learn the art of exchange
it is how things were done, in the good old days
love/susan

[Jacqui D]

The discount stores in the uk are now supermarkets like ASDA, MORRISONS,LIDL,ALDI, they are selling there products at the fraction of the price such as the other stores TESCO'S, SAINSBURYS etc.
There profits are now up while the bigger known stores are facing a struggle to sell there products.
It's a good time to shop around, you can get some good buys.
While we are talking of these things let us not forget you Brits to stock up on candles, we have had hints of blackouts this winter it's better to be safe than sorry, with a threat of possible energy closure and a cold winter some say the coldest December for 30 years so far we need to stock up now and be prepared for such hardships.

And please not let us forget the old, if you have an old neighbour near you pay them a visit let them know that you are there for them if they need anything.
This time of year it is particularly hard on the aged, some never have any visitors for months on end and when the weather gets harsh they will not venture out so make there day give them a knock just to let them know you are around if they need you!

[stiros]

Originally Posted by Czymra

.......... What can one eat in today's forests of middle Europe, esp. in winter?

I think it is possible to eat green grass, but you can't swallow it, because then you will worn out the inside of the bowels.
You have to get rid of the fibres in it.
As I understand this is very wholesome, especially “wheat grass”.
Maybe it is possible to use pine-needle too.
I have tested Ann Wigmore diet a long time ago, to get rid of serious health problems.
I used a type of meat mincer to process the wheat grass to get the juice (or sap).
It is possible to find green grass under the snow.

Comments appreciated
stiros

[Czymra]

Originally Posted by stiros

I think it is possible to eat green grass, but you can't swallow it, because then you will worn out the inside of the bowels.
You have to get rid of the fibres in it.
As I understand this is very wholesome, especially “wheat grass”.
Maybe it is possible to use pine-needle too.
I have tested Ann Wigmore diet a long time ago, to get rid of serious health problems.
I used a type of meat mincer to process the wheat grass to get the juice (or sap).
It is possible to find green grass under the snow.

Comments appreciated
stiros

Thanks, that's the kind of advice I've been longing to hear. I have downloaded the ARMY survival book but I haven't checked it.
Grass soup... I can already taste it.

[Dantheman62]

Grass?? That's why cows have 5 stomachs, or 3, or however many, and we don't.

[stiros]

Originally Posted by Dantheman62

Grass?? That's why cows have 5 stomachs, or 3, or however many, and we don't.

I think “fibres” is hard to digest, so we shouldn't eat too much of it.
To my knowledge, I think an ordinary cow has 4 stomachs.
“Super green”
stiros

[Czymra]

Any other suggestions anyone? Bark, leaves, ants... stalking squirrels for nuts?

[Dantheman62]

HaHa, I can tell you from experience that squirrels taste just like chicken!

[Dakini]

From my understanding, humans cannot live on or digest grasses. The great famine in Ireland could have been avoided if we could eat it. Fine for cows, not for us. Grasses are used as fillers in most green drinks - there is one called Fruits N Greens by New Chapter that has no grass fillers. Email me if you are interested; I can get fellow members most every herb you need at 20% off.

Blessings,
Dakini

[Czymra]

Thanks so much but I'd really rather figure out how our ancestors survived the winter when they were still in 'hunter and gatherer' mode.

[EarthBowl]

Originally Posted by Czymra

Thanks so much but I'd really rather figure out how our ancestors survived the winter when they were still in 'hunter and gatherer' mode.

Hi I grow wheat grass and juice it. Healthy for you. I'm not sure how nutritional regular grass would be ? Its worth checking into.
Dandelion greens are excellent.. and grow great in my front yard.
Pine needle and pine bark are sources for vitamin c. ( I looked for a source as I am in the north and if there is ever a future transportation problem - and citrus fruits are unavailable we would need a Vit C option).

Look into sprouting- easy & healthy


This guy does videos on wild edibles on you tube. Great info
EatTheWeeds: Episode 58: Ground Cherries, Physalis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zft5mbWUlU

[EarthBowl]

Originally Posted by Czymra

T 'hunter and gatherer' mode.

probobly any animal they could catch, nuts, seeds easily carried & stored.... but like the squirrels they need to be collected and stored before winter.

[Czymra]

Cool. Thanks!

[WiNaDeYo]

I haven't heard anything about supermarket supply risks here in Italy, but I do know that a lot of big grocery stores are having big 50% off sales! Those that would or could stock up
should.

Here in Italy, there is a big boom in cooperatives called "Gruppi di Acquisto Solidale" or GAS. They have passed laws that recognize these private citizen buying groups as "consumers" and so their associations are not taxed, who promote local, biological and ethical consuming, obviously buying from local producers who are authorised to sell to the public. I am at the present looking into either joining a local GAS or starting up one in my community.

Peace and good will.