Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Nov 28th 2008, 3:23 am
#61
Joined: Dec 1969
Posts: 2,484
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Not having a go at you, Dorothy, I'm just borrowing your phrase to highlight unfair criticisms posted elsewhere on these forums.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
yeah the bread is full of stuff, that is why i make my own now and most stuff that i took for granted in the uk, i knew this in the uk, i also know that suet is pure fat, but some need abit of fat in there diet and pure healthy is no fun all the time.
I must also state that i also have IBS and my son is diabetic, so home made food is a mega must so we both know what we are eating, i have also found since being here, i dont get hassle with my IBS and his diabetic chart is fab
BUT then i do spend hours cooking now, where in the uk i was busy working, now i dont work, well i do actually cooking
Nov 28th 2008, 3:24 am
#62
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Not having a go at you, Dorothy, I'm just borrowing your phrase to highlight unfair criticisms posted elsewhere on these forums.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
Nov 28th 2008, 3:30 am
#63
Lotus-eater
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Cascadian Autonomous Elysian Region
Posts: 5,069
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
I can certainly understand why people would discuss "availability differences" between different countries, but to ask the question "Food: Why no choice in Canada?" is a bit of a generalisation. I lived my first 40+ years in Canada and never found a lack of choice in the grocery stores.
R.
Nov 28th 2008, 3:48 am
#64
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Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Vancouver since Aug 2008!!!!!
Posts: 904
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Not having a go at you, Dorothy, I'm just borrowing your phrase to highlight unfair criticisms posted elsewhere on these forums.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
It never fails to amaze me that people move half way across the world and successfully adapt to new working practices, different climate, different pricing, different education systems, different attitudes, different governments, different legal systems, different driving practices etc etc and yet express a simple observation or regret about different products/something not available in shops and several posters suggest they should get used to differences in a different country as if they haven't done so already.
I think it was a perfectly legitimate question as to why such 'availability' differences exist between two countries of similar standing. And the answer was given.
I guess alot about food is about comfort, and being away from 'home' people turn for comfort, and that for alot of us is food. Hence I guess why this topic will never go away.
Just a thought!
Bx
Nov 28th 2008, 4:05 am
#65
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,851
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
But the thread title has to attract people to the subject and is usually an afterthought after someone has written what they want to say. It is for me, anyway. It's hard to get a good, appropriate title that entices people in.
To be fair, the OP did say
I think most people who comment agree the choice of ready made foods is more limited in Canada than the UK. Personally I'm more than happy with the food choices here especially as it generally costs less than the UK even before targeting the flyer specials.
Nov 28th 2008, 5:50 am
#66
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Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 319
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
....ok how do you make suet pastry from that, i know that it says that its pre-mixed, like a flour bag, but tried a few ways and all i get is pure fat...helpHey Mrsdv
Have you had a chance to go to the Calgary Farmer's Market yet....?
There is usually a pretty good fish stall there and you can get Alberta reared Bison...strongly recommended - almost like beef but no fat!
I also buy organic beef there and it is waaay cheaper than in the supermarkets...
Oh and there is a fantastic ice cream shop!!!
Lisa
Have you had a chance to go to the Calgary Farmer's Market yet....?
There is usually a pretty good fish stall there and you can get Alberta reared Bison...strongly recommended - almost like beef but no fat!
I also buy organic beef there and it is waaay cheaper than in the supermarkets...
Oh and there is a fantastic ice cream shop!!!
Lisa
Beyond a few items (decent (ie not to fatty) bacon, and until recently suet (thanks to the person who told me to look for it in Sobeys!), and possibly one or two other items) I have not had a problem finding anything I want to buy. Mind you, I mostly buy fresh meat and fish (occasionally frozen versions of the same), fresh fruit and veg and basic dried goods.... we don't eat pre-packaged or ready prepared foods because I have a dairy allergy and it was hard to find any pre-prepared food that didn't contain dairy products or lactose/lactic acid even in the UK, and here is not surprisingly no different.
Infact the only difference I really have noticed is the lack of a value brand in most supermarkets... most have an own brand but lack the value version (but superstore has that)
Last edited by LotteW; Nov 28th 2008 at 5:53 am. Reason: added something
Nov 28th 2008, 7:56 am
#67
Éireann go Brách
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: White Man in Hammersmith Palais
Posts: 2,932
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
We have been in UK nearly 8 weeks and have not totally got used to all the wide choice of foods here. Our eyes still goggle as we go around the supermarket even if we don't buy everything. So why can't we get such a choice in Canada? We are Brits in Ontario and I don't think the rest of Canada is much different. Most supermarkets carry the same foods.
Whether it's sausages, bacon, cakes, bread whatever, there is far more choice in UK.
Whether it's sausages, bacon, cakes, bread whatever, there is far more choice in UK.
Nov 28th 2008, 12:37 pm
#69
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,252
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Agreed.
But the thread title has to attract people to the subject and is usually an afterthought after someone has written what they want to say. It is for me, anyway. It's hard to get a good, appropriate title that entices people in.
To be fair, the OP did say
It was more a comment about fewer choices rather than no choice.
I think most people who comment agree the choice of ready made foods is more limited in Canada than the UK. Personally I'm more than happy with the food choices here especially as it generally costs less than the UK even before targeting the flyer specials.
But the thread title has to attract people to the subject and is usually an afterthought after someone has written what they want to say. It is for me, anyway. It's hard to get a good, appropriate title that entices people in.
To be fair, the OP did say
It was more a comment about fewer choices rather than no choice.
I think most people who comment agree the choice of ready made foods is more limited in Canada than the UK. Personally I'm more than happy with the food choices here especially as it generally costs less than the UK even before targeting the flyer specials.
In the UK we used to be able to do a weekly run for around 30-40GBP whereas here i can quite easily run up to $200 buying pretty much the same type of food.
When we first moved here we were very tight for money and i used to set a budget of $50-75 on groceries and it was possible but you really don't get a lot of food for that kind of money.
We are in the middle of Canada though so maybe that is why food is a lot higher here.
Nov 28th 2008, 1:23 pm
#70
C'est correck
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: La Prairie, nr Montréal
Posts: 839
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
This has not been the case for me.
In the UK we used to be able to do a weekly run for around 30-40GBP whereas here i can quite easily run up to $200 buying pretty much the same type of food.
When we first moved here we were very tight for money and i used to set a budget of $50-75 on groceries and it was possible but you really don't get a lot of food for that kind of money.
We are in the middle of Canada though so maybe that is why food is a lot higher here.
In the UK we used to be able to do a weekly run for around 30-40GBP whereas here i can quite easily run up to $200 buying pretty much the same type of food.
When we first moved here we were very tight for money and i used to set a budget of $50-75 on groceries and it was possible but you really don't get a lot of food for that kind of money.
We are in the middle of Canada though so maybe that is why food is a lot higher here.
Nov 28th 2008, 1:31 pm
#72
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Location: Winnipeg
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Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Pasta, rice, sauce, biscuits, rotisary chicken, mince, chicken breast, lunch meat, potatoes, bread you know the usual stuff. (It's only 2 of us).
You think that that bill is small my best friend shops once a month and excluding meat he spends 80GBP.
I went back in September and a loaf of bread in asda was 0.37, cornish pastys 4 for 0.97 (i think), scotch eggs under a pound, huge bag of pasta 3.50. It's not expensive there at all...If you buy luxery items then obviously you pay more but the basic range are all pretty cheap.
You think that that bill is small my best friend shops once a month and excluding meat he spends 80GBP.
I went back in September and a loaf of bread in asda was 0.37, cornish pastys 4 for 0.97 (i think), scotch eggs under a pound, huge bag of pasta 3.50. It's not expensive there at all...If you buy luxery items then obviously you pay more but the basic range are all pretty cheap.
Nov 28th 2008, 1:40 pm
#73
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 148
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
I went back in September and a loaf of bread in asda was 0.37, cornish pastys 4 for 0.97 (i think), scotch eggs under a pound, huge bag of pasta 3.50. It's not expensive there at all...If you buy luxery items then obviously you pay more but the basic range are all pretty cheap.
When we visited Canada, when I was a kid, we were always amazed at how glitzy the supermarkets were, in comparison to the grubby old ones at home. I agree that - when I lived in London, Ontario - the Loblaws was no match for a Waitrose, but the choice of foods was still perfectly respectable.
Nov 28th 2008, 1:55 pm
#74
Banned
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Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 1,252
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
I shop in Somerfield, which is hardly deluxe. A loaf of bread costs over a pound, if I recall correctly. Food prices are on the up & up.
When we visited Canada, when I was a kid, we were always amazed at how glitzy the supermarkets were, in comparison to the grubby old ones at home. I agree that - when I lived in London, Ontario - the Loblaws was no match for a Waitrose, but the choice of foods was still perfectly respectable.
When we visited Canada, when I was a kid, we were always amazed at how glitzy the supermarkets were, in comparison to the grubby old ones at home. I agree that - when I lived in London, Ontario - the Loblaws was no match for a Waitrose, but the choice of foods was still perfectly respectable.
I only shop in supermarkets or maybe a corner store here and there so maybe if you go to a market/bakery it can be cheaper but i've not seen it.
It would be interesting to go out and buy canadian groceries and then with the reciept go onto asda, sainsburies or tesco online shopping service and get a price equivalent maybe i will do that next time i go shopping
Nov 28th 2008, 1:56 pm
#75
C'est correck
Joined: Mar 2006
Location: La Prairie, nr Montréal
Posts: 839
Re: Food: Why no choice in Canada?
Pasta, rice, sauce, biscuits, rotisary chicken, mince, chicken breast, lunch meat, potatoes, bread you know the usual stuff. (It's only 2 of us).
You think that that bill is small my best friend shops once a month and excluding meat he spends 80GBP.
I went back in September and a loaf of bread in asda was 0.37, cornish pastys 4 for 0.97 (i think), scotch eggs under a pound, huge bag of pasta 3.50. It's not expensive there at all...If you buy luxery items then obviously you pay more but the basic range are all pretty cheap.
You think that that bill is small my best friend shops once a month and excluding meat he spends 80GBP.
I went back in September and a loaf of bread in asda was 0.37, cornish pastys 4 for 0.97 (i think), scotch eggs under a pound, huge bag of pasta 3.50. It's not expensive there at all...If you buy luxery items then obviously you pay more but the basic range are all pretty cheap.
On the otherhand, we're vegetarians so we don't have a huge bill for meat and that offsets the extra we pay for organic vegetables. Rice we always buy from ethnic shops as it's so much cheaper and better quality. Pasta we always buy Italian brands, and did so in Europe, as it has a better taste. Premade frozen foods we don't tend to buy.
It comes down a lot to how you consider food. We look prinicipally at quality and nutrition. I do know people for whom paying extra for a better taste is less important to them than paying extra for quantity. It comes down to personal preference of course.
