missuscluck Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 With all this talk today of battery hens for food and eggs, which is the most ethical green supermarket of the biggies. It seemed last night that no one from any of the supermarkets really wants to know. Unfortunatly we all have to go sometimes and try to make the right choices about what we buy. I thought all you clever people on here might know overall which is the most green/animal friendly supermarket? Who is making the most efforts towords change? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I was under the impression it was marks and spencer. Dont most of their products include free range eggs (if not all?). I cant afford to shop there all the time (special occasions) but I buy mine from Sainsburys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 The co-op? I just wish they had onenear me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I use Waitrose as I believe they are more ethical than most. Haven't stepped foot inside a Tesco for more than a year!! OH dared to enter the kitchen a couple of weeks ago with a shopping bag from Tesco. He had been to get Christmas sherry for his Mum and all the other shops had run out. He was severely reprimanded!! I honestly believe that Waitrose food is a higher standard than Tesco and so it should be as it is more expensive. i love Waitrose and find all the staff extremely friendly and helpful. Every time I go in, the ladies on the tills ask about 'the girls' or my job, or the lastest Nigella recipe I have cooked. I always leave smiling when people take time to talk to you and have an interest in your life, as it is so rare nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I prefer Waitrose but generally have my shopping delivered by Ocado. But Waitrose are opening a store about 5 miles away soon so may have to investigate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 (edited) I like the look of Waitrose, but we dont have any in this area. I've not been to Tesco's since Feb 07, I hate Tesco's now. (edited as i forgot it was 2008! ) (it was feb 07 since i last went to tesco's) Edited January 8, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 We have a smallish one near to us (about 6 miles away) which is friendly and has everything you need. There is a huge one near Salisbury (15 miles away) but I can't go to that one! It has everything! Electrical, books (love books ) bedding etc, like a mini John Lewis! Its a nightmare! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I prefer Waitrose but generally have my shopping delivered by Ocado. But Waitrose are opening a store about 5 miles away soon so may have to investigate. The nearest one to us is in Witney, which is about 20 miles away, but they do deliver around here. We have M&S, Tesco, Sainsos, Morrisons and Aldi in town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I like Waitose. I buy my meat from a local butcher who sells organic free range meat. Occasionally I go to the Chatsworth Farm Shop too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeckyBoo Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I'd love to shop at M&S, OH would love it too, but we just couldn't afford to do our regular shop there. I used to try and use the local Co-op but it's really small, there's a fair selection of "weirdos" in there both shoppers and staff (me included ) and I'm now led to believe that Freedom Food is not much better than average food anyway? So I stick to Sainsburys and yes, the dreaded Tescos, I have 5 to feed and we're not loaded, would love to go to local butchers and grocers but there aren't any near me except one butchers at the top of the road which is HUGELY expensive and one a couple of miles away where nothing is free range and I bought two frozen chickens a few years ago and when I defrosted them they were both off I'm trying to be as green as I can within the confinements of a big supermarket but obviously if I shop there then I'm effectively condoning all their unethical policies, like not paying a fair price to the farmers for milk, or eggs, or all the rest of it. Mrs Bertie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 None of our local butchers sell free range meat either Mrs B, but our local farmers' markets and farm shops do and the price isn't bad either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 What about asda and morrisons? How do they fare in their efforts towords animal welfare and waste. Cant do my shopping in m and s. Just not practical for a familly of 5 on a budget. To be honest waitrose is also a bit dear for basics too. I love Waitrose for a treat though. I get my fruit and vegis and meat elsewhere anyway. Just wondered which of the big supermarkets were doing the most so I can give them my custom for all the other stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I'm actually the same as you. We use Morrisons as its what we have near us. We do try to avoid them though and buy baby stuff online, have a veg box, get meat from the butchers and buy a lot of other stuff in bulk from suma (oh and of course get our eggs fromt he garden). In this day and age of no grocer though its sometimes hard to avoid them altogether. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 If you have a good search through the internet, you may find a local veg box scheme near you, that also will deliver local meat. I've just discovered one that's run from a farm a few miles down the road from us, and have just received our first 'local box' (they do 'local', 'standard' and 'family' boxes), with some added bacon and I'm pleasently surprised by the quality and the quantity in the box. uch better value than the Abel & Cole veg box we used to get. We also are lucky to live in a village with a local butcher, and have a well-stocked, but very weeny little co-op. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 We are really lucky - we have a Co-op within walking distance, as well as a Somerfield. In the town there is a Waitrose, which we love & a fabulous independent butchers, who does free range chicken etc. He is excellent - Steve Brooks. If I drive to Crewe we have an Asda, a Morrisons and a Tescos. Occasionally use Asda & Morrisons. But most of our shopping is Waitrose, Steve Brooks' butchers & Aldi - for my yogurts, as I eat loads of them, oh & hubby likes their wine boxes! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 The co-op do have a policy of gradual improvement. They are gradually improving labelling; sourcing locally; going free range etc. I know they are not 100% there, but they have committed to change. Their quiche contain free range eggs. Their whole chickens are still relatively cheap and raised slightly better than the broiler houses (if they have the elmwood sticker on). All items containing chicken or eggs are clearly labelled (usually saying from the EU, ie battery/broiler, but at least you know what you are getting). I would say waitrose and co-op are the best options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Craftyhunny pie. I might see you shopping. I go in to the same butchers, Aldi, waitrose, somerfield as you. (I work in Sandbach) Do you use Centre fruits as well!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I am genuinely intrigued by all the people who would choose to shop in M+S if they could afford it. I absolutely could not shop there. It doesn't sell anything. It seems to me to be for people who pop in after work and pick up a pork chop and a bag of salad, a ready-made dessert and a bottle of wine for the evening. Not for people catering for a family. I'm sticking my neck out a bit I know and if i didn't have children and was out of work, I might think M+S brilliant. I am always disappointed if I try to get something in there - except of course Percy Pigs! Mrs B., I too am concerned about paying our farmers a fair trade. I have had a Riverford vegetable box delivered for a few years now (£14 a week for a large box). For the last year I have had my milk delivered from there too. Organic milk at 95p a litre (about). I buy 8 litres and freeze 3 for later in the week. I am thrilled that I am not supporting an unfair milk trade and I believe Riverford is selling at a fair price to its customers. I have meat delivered from DevonRose once a month (£48 for a family box). The rest of my shopping I have delivered once a month by Sainsbury. I switched from Tesco because I believe Sainsbury sells more fairly-traded goods. I also feel that it listens to its customers a tiny bit more than Tesco does (i.e. not very much ) Also (the final clinch) the food bags and bin liners are all biodegradable in Sainsbury but you can't buy any at all in Tesco. The other factor was that Ocado couldn't deliver on the day I wanted my shopping but Sainsbury could! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Craftyhunny pie. I might see you shopping. I go in to the same butchers, Aldi, waitrose, somerfield as you. (I work in Sandbach) Do you use Centre fruits as well!!! You'll have to both wear your Omlet t shirts and try to spot one another! Post photos of the meeting please!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missuscluck Posted January 8, 2008 Author Share Posted January 8, 2008 Lets hope we are not fighting over the last bit of free range chicken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I prefer to shop at Waitrose,but I have a Tesco about 2 miles away,so I do pop in there for essentials. All the Waitrose near me are a bit of a nightmare to get to,but I am aiming to shop there more often & always for my big weekly shop this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tessa the Duchess Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 I go to a large Sainsburys about every three weeks to stock up on tins of dog food, loo roll, washing powder etc. I buy my veg from a local good greengrocer and free range meat, bacon etc., from the local butcher. I make my own bread. I would love to shop at Waitrose but there is nothing near me. I agree that although M&S are probably the greenest they don't sell the sort of things I want to buy like dog food and I really couldn't afford to do my main shopping there. I wish there was a Co-op nearby. I have only been in a Tesco twice in my life and hate them my mum used to say that people who shopped in Tesco were 'common' don't want to offend anyone, just what she used to say Tessa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 We avoid supermarkets as much as we can but we have a local Co-op which Carl passes most days and about once every 6 weeks, he will call in a Tesco for the things we can't get from the Co-op We grow our own, use the Farm Shop or Farmer's Market most of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 Waitrose is a five minute walk away for me so I'd probably use it anyway for convenience, but since I started shopping there I've been impressed by the range of organic and free-range meat, and organic veg. They don't sell battery eggs, and I believe they don't use battery eggs in any of their own products (tried to check on their website but couldn't find it). They have a much wider range of organic food than anywhere else I've shopped, and I second what someone else said - the staff are so friendly and helpful. BUT - it's not cheap. If I were on a tight budget or had a family to feed, I would probably use one of the other supermarkets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicken Licken Posted January 8, 2008 Share Posted January 8, 2008 For me Tesco is closest but I hate it. I get a fruit and veg box once a fortnight from river nene. I am still eating home produce from last summer in terms of spuds and apples . The farm shop where the chookie food comes from has a local butcher on site that sells local produce (this seems to pretty much equate to ethically produced to farms I recongnise and in some cases grew up next to!). As I am economising (again) for 2008 I am going to try the local Aldi on my way home from work this week for the other staples that I need. I used to live close to a big co-op which was ace. I am thoroughly fed up with Tesco so we shall see if Aldi does the trick (and will anyone tell the difference except my purse?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
