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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shirtback
(Post 11628371)
Ours is once a week. We're getting close to the seams :(. Summer is always a bit easier however. Thankfully we get lots of (too many) healthy vegetables, enough fruit, and not *too* much junk food, although there's a freezer crammed full of pogos at the moment ...
One of our major problems is refrigeration/freezer space for storage of perishables :(. Also, the perceived stigma of using a food bank, particularly amongst the elderly, and those recently unemployed. |
Re: Groceries
Food banks seem such an inefficient way of distributing food to those in need. Not there should be any in need in rich countries like Canada and Britain. Surely some sort of voucher system would be better.
Not meaning to criticise your valuable contribution shirtback, I just think there must be a better system. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11628443)
Food banks seem such an inefficient way of distributing food to those in need. Not there should be any in need in rich countries like Canada and Britain. Surely some sort of voucher system would be better.
Not meaning to criticise your valuable contribution shirtback, I just think there must be a better system. California uses electronic debit cards that can be used for specific types of things in certain stores and food places. If you go into a grocery store in California they will have little stickers on the price tags for items that qualify. I know without food stamps, and schools offering free/reduced breakfast (usually only the poorest get breakfast) and lunch, a lot of kids would end up not eating enough and going without. It's not a perfect and has it's flaws like any program, but I think the system as a whole is more valuable then the small % that might abuse it. In Canada the government figures they give people a few hundred bucks in welfare so that is sufficient. BC for example is 610 per month, most of which will go to rent. I make it a habit of buying a few items each trip to add to the food bank box. I often get free coupons for things like diaper's or other baby products and will go and use those coupons and donate those types of things as well. I look for coupons for free pet food as well for the SPCA. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11628473)
I was perplexed and still am that Canada has no government food program. The US has their food stamp program, the exact rules vary by state however, and most if not all no longer actually use stamps.
California uses electronic debit cards that can be used for specific types of things in certain stores and food places. If you go into a grocery store in California they will have little stickers on the price tags for items that qualify. I know without food stamps, and schools offering free/reduced breakfast (usually only the poorest get breakfast) and lunch, a lot of kids would end up not eating enough and going without. It's not a perfect and has it's flaws like any program, but I think the system as a whole is more valuable then the small % that might abuse it. In Canada the government figures they give people a few hundred bucks in welfare so that is sufficient. BC for example is 610 per month, most of which will go to rent. I make it a habit of buying a few items each trip to add to the food bank box. I often get free coupons for things like diaper's or other baby products and will go and use those coupons and donate those types of things as well. I look for coupons for free pet food as well for the SPCA. Debit cards are a good idea. But the US has actual food banks too, doesn't it? Or does it depend on state. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11628477)
Debit cards are a good idea. But the US has actual food banks too, doesn't it? Or does it depend on state.
Food Bank Programs There is also meals on wheels for seniors, it's not free, but 2 meals delivered each day for $7. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11628443)
Food banks seem such an inefficient way of distributing food to those in need. Not there should be any in need in rich countries like Canada and Britain....I just think there must be a better system.
There were always organisations dotted about who gave out food but it was for immediate need only, not the standard issue it appears to have become in the UK. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11628513)
There used to be but then the government began dismantling it.
There were always organisations dotted about who gave out food but it was for immediate need only, not the standard issue it appears to have become in the UK. |
Re: Groceries
Most recent food report on food banks in Canada, only comprehensive report done on food bank use.
841,000 people per month across Canada utilize a food bank. http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/getmed....aspx?ext=.pdf |
Re: Groceries
Some foodbanks also offer a lifeskills program that teaches how to cook basic nutritious meals and budget to try and make ends meet on low income. The Regina foodbank at one time had expanded this to get clients certified as employable commercial cooks (they ran a low-cost restaurant at the foodbank) but I think that course died some years ago.
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 11628605)
Some foodbanks also offer a lifeskills program that teaches how to cook basic nutritious meals and budget to try and make ends meet on low income. The Regina foodbank at one time had expanded this to get clients certified as employable commercial cooks (they ran a low-cost restaurant at the foodbank) but I think that course died some years ago.
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11628743)
Food poisoning?
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Re: Groceries
Using Transit limited our options so we tended to go to the local grocery store, now that we have a car we now do a lot of shopping at Costco. It makes sense to buy in bulk if your not using transit lol
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Re: Groceries
1 Attachment(s)
Slightly old thread, but I was at Costco earlier this week, and paid a bit more attention to a few of the prices - a few I jotted down:
Boneless, skinless chicken breast - $13.99/kg (and last week they had a special of $5 off the pack) Boneless, skinless chicken thighs - $5.59/kg Lean ground turkey - $9.89/kg Comparing to what I can find on Grocery Gateway... Chicken breast, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $22.13/kg; Mina Halal $19.33/kg Chicken thigh, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $16.52/kg; Mina Halal (with skin) $8.80/kg Ground Turkey, Maple Leaf, 454g package, $6.49 (so about $14/kg) I downloaded an app called Flipp that groups together a load of flyers from various grocery stores and such, so I searched the above 3 items to see what sale prices were. Chicken breast - Food Basics, $12.96/kg, Fortinos $8.80/kg, Loblaws $13.21/kg Chicken thighs - Loblaws, Fortinos $15.41/kg, Sobeys $14.31/kg Ground turkey - Metro $12/kg; Superstore $10.54/kg So the sale prices for breasts are pretty competitive; thighs and ground turkey are better off from Costco. Something to be said as well that for the marginal price difference from Costco, I'd still buy it there to avoid making a second trip - it probably evens out when you factor in the gas to get to another shop, plus the time required to make the extra stop. Also, I paid more attention to the tenderloin I bought this week. Bought a bigass one for $99.50, can't remember what that was per kg and I didn't keep the tag, sorry! However, I got 15 pretty thick-cut steaks out of it (all 1.5-2 inches thick), plus a few dregs and trimmings that I'll use in a stew or a soup or something for flavour (you can see part of the pile in the bottom left corner). The last time I bought a tenderloin was when we moved into the house, so about 6 months ago, and I still have 4 steaks left from that first one... we don't have steak THAT often, but when we do, we like to have the good cut. :) |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636453)
Slightly old thread, but I was at Costco earlier this week, and paid a bit more attention to a few of the prices - a few
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by ChrisBan
(Post 11636523)
Just joined Costco in the UK, my colleagues find my love of that place amusing
FYI your Costco membership is good worldwide. :) |
Re: Groceries
There were a bunch of sales last week so I loaded up the freezing compartment. No Frills had chicken thighs for $2/lb, Independent had leg with back attached for $2/lb and a sale on pork chops and club pak sausages. First pork chops I've bought in forever.
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636526)
I am jealous of the cheese you can buy there. Last time I was there they had the Coastal Cheddar, which I ADORE...... if you haven't had it, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend it!!
FYI your Costco membership is good worldwide. :) Cheers, the girlfriend has already penciled in a Costco visit when I'm in TO next month visiting her :rofl: |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636453)
Chicken breast, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $22.13/kg;
Chicken thigh, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $16.52/kg Their chicken prices are routinely near double that of the alternatives - Blue Goose excepted. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636453)
Slightly old thread, but I was at Costco earlier this week, and paid a bit more attention to a few of the prices - a few I jotted down:
Boneless, skinless chicken breast - $13.99/kg (and last week they had a special of $5 off the pack) Boneless, skinless chicken thighs - $5.59/kg Lean ground turkey - $9.89/kg Comparing to what I can find on Grocery Gateway... Chicken breast, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $22.13/kg; Mina Halal $19.33/kg Chicken thigh, Maple Leaf Value Pack, $16.52/kg; Mina Halal (with skin) $8.80/kg Ground Turkey, Maple Leaf, 454g package, $6.49 (so about $14/kg) I downloaded an app called Flipp that groups together a load of flyers from various grocery stores and such, so I searched the above 3 items to see what sale prices were. Chicken breast - Food Basics, $12.96/kg, Fortinos $8.80/kg, Loblaws $13.21/kg Chicken thighs - Loblaws, Fortinos $15.41/kg, Sobeys $14.31/kg Ground turkey - Metro $12/kg; Superstore $10.54/kg So the sale prices for breasts are pretty competitive; thighs and ground turkey are better off from Costco. Something to be said as well that for the marginal price difference from Costco, I'd still buy it there to avoid making a second trip - it probably evens out when you factor in the gas to get to another shop, plus the time required to make the extra stop. Also, I paid more attention to the tenderloin I bought this week. Bought a bigass one for $99.50, can't remember what that was per kg and I didn't keep the tag, sorry! However, I got 15 pretty thick-cut steaks out of it (all 1.5-2 inches thick), plus a few dregs and trimmings that I'll use in a stew or a soup or something for flavour (you can see part of the pile in the bottom left corner). The last time I bought a tenderloin was when we moved into the house, so about 6 months ago, and I still have 4 steaks left from that first one... we don't have steak THAT often, but when we do, we like to have the good cut. :) I'd try and compare, but I only know the price per pound around here, I never read the tiny tiny small per kg price the stores hide in the bottom corner. Only chicken advertised this week were whole at 2.49/lb No brand, they just come in a generic plastic bag. Pork chops again no brand 5.99 per pound. Chicken breasts while not on flyer, generally run 12 to 15 dollars for anywhere from 3-4 breasts. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11636742)
I'd try and compare, but I only know the price per pound around here, I never read the tiny tiny small per kg price the stores hide in the bottom corner.
Only chicken advertised this week were whole at 2.49/lb No brand, they just come in a generic plastic bag. Pork chops again no brand 5.99 per pound. Chicken breasts while not on flyer, generally run 12 to 15 dollars for anywhere from 3-4 breasts. $5.99/lb is $13.21/kg. |
Re: Groceries
I am not convinced on Costco ever
Fresco this week canned Red sockeye Salmon product of Canada 213g can $2.49 No Frills 454g strawberries $2.00 - real nice they are too. Blue sky supermarket (one of my favourite ethnic crocery stores) in store special 'chicken thighs' $1.99/Ib ($4.44/KG) Also at the same supermarket - Plump juicy Red Hothouse tomatoes $0.87Ib/ $1.91/kg Of course with price matching in the GTA the crocery bill has to be way cheaper than Costco? Next thing is 'yes, but Costco has cheaper gasoline' |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636757)
I am not convinced on Costco ever
Fresco this week canned Red sockeye Salmon product of Canada 213g can $2.49 No Frills 454g strawberries $2.00 - real nice they are too. Blue sky supermarket (one of my favourite ethnic crocery stores) in store special 'chicken thighs' $1.99/Ib ($4.44/KG) Also at the same supermarket - Plump juicy Red Hothouse tomatoes $0.87Ib/ $1.91/kg Of course with price matching in the GTA the crocery bill has to be way cheaper than Costco? Next thing is 'yes, but Costco has cheaper gasoline' Each to their own, really. I find Costco saves me a ton of money beacuse I know they will be the cheapest, or damn close to it, regularly, instead of having to make multiple stops to find the rock bottom cheapest. |
Re: Groceries
At one end of town we have a Costco across the parking lot from Superstore and Sobeys/Walmart/Co-op/NB Liquor is on the way back.
At the other end of town is the big Mall with NB Liquor and Sobeys just across the street. Inside the Mall is a bigger Sobeys and a Walmart. On the way back from the mall is Superstore. Off in another direction is another Sobeys next door to another Liquor store. Maybe I'm just lucky here in that the competitors are really close together and really easy to drop in at more than one. But in Quebec before we moved here it was much the same; a strip mall including Super C and Walmart and the car park included an exit into Loblaws and then Maxi was on the way home. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636764)
If I have to go to Freshco to get Salmon, then No Frills to get strawberries, then Blue Sky to get "thighs" (?) and tomatoes... vs getting it all at Costco... I'll do it all at Costco. I generally try to keep my stops to a minimum - I'll spend more in gas driving between them and splitting my grocery bill between 15 different places.
Each to their own, really. I find Costco saves me a ton of money beacuse I know they will be the cheapest, or damn close to it, regularly, instead of having to make multiple stops to find the rock bottom cheapest. I dont drive around wasting time & gas - 'I price match' - simply take all the flyers to the closest store & buy all the specials in one place |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636781)
Oh heck, lost in translation:ohmy:
I dont drive around wasting time & gas - 'I price match' - simply take all the flyers to the closest store & buy all the specials in one place As I said, though, to each their own. I work 5 minutes from Costco and it's on my way home, and their regular prices are either cheap or pretty close to it (as evidenced by the price comparisons above) so instead of bothering to clip out of flyers and work out all of that, I'll just make one stop and do it all in one go without having to worry about it. Plus I find the Kirkland meat really good quality, and consistently reliable. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636750)
Multiply by 2.2046 to get the price in kg - I converted a bunch of mine as some were in lb and some were in kg.
$5.99/lb is $13.21/kg. kg even after 10 years makes no sense to me, even my Canadian born wife doesn't use kg for weight, and while my drivers license says kg, they ask for your weight in pounds....lol |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636781)
Oh heck, lost in translation:ohmy:
I dont drive around wasting time & gas - 'I price match' - simply take all the flyers to the closest store & buy all the specials in one place Save On is 8 time out of 10 going to be the cheapest on the most common items, so I just go there and also because they have the best selection of food and nicest produce. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11636798)
lol. Thanks. I was trying to convert but wasn't doing it right, but math is not my best skill....
kg even after 10 years makes no sense to me, even my Canadian born wife doesn't use kg for weight, and while my drivers license says kg, they ask for your weight in pounds....lol |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by caretaker
(Post 11636536)
There were a bunch of sales last week so I loaded up the freezing compartment. No Frills had chicken thighs for $2/lb, Independent had leg with back attached for $2/lb and a sale on pork chops and club pak sausages. First pork chops I've bought in forever.
A 5Ib (2.3kG) piece is cut up into chop size 4oz (113g) pieces, cooked as chops or smashed flattened into schnitzels, even cube for kebebs & with so many things that can be done with the piece, it'll go far for two people. Don't usually do much sausage, will buy only on special from a local butcher non spicy Italian sausage meat at $1.99/Ib for 'make your own sausage patties or rolled tubes and for meat balls. In a bowl, just add a number of eggs to the amount of meat as needed (one egg for each pound meat), seasoning, breadcrumbs (filler), any green leaves chopped. Make as many as possible, bag freeze them. Use as needed. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by SchnookoLoly
(Post 11636805)
LOL I'm actually with you on that one. Some stuff I can only do in metric, like distances... other stuff I can only do in imperial, like weights and heights. A few of them I just have memorized (like I know my 5'7 height is 170cm or so)...
Height and weight probably never be able to use metric, it just makes no sense to me, 100cm means nothing to me, no realistic idea of what it is.... |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by MegSnow
(Post 11627630)
My food bills are astronomical at the minute as I've only just moved here and am building up the pantry. I have to say I don't find food shopping more expensive than England which probably says more about the UK than here. We can afford to eat steak each week (we're in Alberta which helps!), we buy in bulk at Costco and this makes the meat cheaper. Cheese is horrendously expensive especially considering its plastic, the cheese monster that is DS refuses to eat it so we treat him to the proper stuff we find in Costco. Dried herbs and spices are expensive so we took a trip to an Indian grocery store and stocked up. Fruit and veg are in better condition than the UK. Obviously it's not as cheap as Lidl or Aldi but I don't mind paying a few cents more than Tesco for better quality. All in all not as expensive as I thought it was going to be but we did move from Portsmouth which seems to think it's London with the cost of things. I think if you come from Wales, Scotland or the north of England you will find it expensive here. I think the challenge for me now is to menu plan and stick to a budget!
I didn't find I saved too much in costco,with 3 girls in the house they tend to hammer into everything and anything that they can get their hands on. We just shop in Walmart now. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636806)
Don't usually do much sausage, will buy only on special from a local butcher non spicy Italian sausage meat at $1.99/Ib for 'make your own sausage patties or rolled tubes and for meat balls. In a bowl, just add a number of eggs to the amount of meat as needed (one egg for each pound meat), seasoning, breadcrumbs (filler), any green leaves chopped. Make as many as possible, bag freeze them. Use as needed. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636806)
boneless pork loin on special this week at $1.99/Lb ($4.44/kg).
We have pork loin on sale too, 14.31/kg. The flyer claims to be a sale price. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Jsmth321
(Post 11636822)
We have pork loin on sale too, 14.31/kg. The flyer claims to be a sale price.
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 11636819)
Bloody hell, I just paid $2.30 per 100g for sausages. :(
$23/KG for 'pig in a poke' is way too much |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by not2old
(Post 11636830)
would that have been for the one sausage from the food truck outside Earls?
$23/KG for 'pig in a poke' is way too much |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 11636833)
Oyama Cumberlands.
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Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 11636833)
Oyama Cumberlands.
http://www.seriousbirdhunting.com/wp...omer_drool.jpg |
Re: Groceries
If only transportation was cheaper, seems I need to buy my groceries in the east based on the prices being posted on some of the replies.
Wal-Mart charges more out west on some things looking at flyer in ON vs BC Watermelon 5.97 vs 6.97 Bell peppers 3 pack 2.97 vs 3.47 Corn on cob 5 pack in ON for 2.97 (0.59 ear approx) BC 67 cents each, no packs of 5. mangoes 16 pack 9.97 vs 11.97 5lbs potatoes 1.47 vs 1.97 Pears 1.67/lb vs 97/lb Salmon not sure, they sell it per kg in ON and per 100g in BC But appears cheaper in ON at 21/kg vs 2.76 per 100g. Astro yougurt $2 ,vs 2.47 (same size 650-750g) 24 pack 500ml water 2.97 vs 3.97 Canned tomatoes 1.00 vs 1.27 Sizes are the same except where noted. Sugar comes to the same price pretty much 1.97 for 2kg 3.97 for 4kg. |
Re: Groceries
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 11636892)
Good old Bangers and Mash with Onion Gravy - Oyama Sausage Co. |
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