Anti-Gaspillage

[Liz]

Back in 1979/1982 we lived in walking distance of a Waitrose. Late Saturday afternoons we would toddle down there, tie the dog up outside on one of the dog posts provided and buy whatever had been marked down (shops closed on Sundays then) for the next few days meals.

Yesterday, Thursday, I was near our local Leclerc late afternoon so I did our supermarket shop there. A chappie following instructions on a gizmo was marking up meat and packaged fish with short sell-buy dates. His neat red stickers said ANTI GASPILLAGE and every item was half price or less. Unlike 1979 I now have a freezer, so I followed him around and picked up loads of stuff, even a free range turkey! I then went on to loo rolls and things, looped back and picked up even more.
Have just dined on half price vac-packed moules well within their use by date, yum.

Am thinking it could be worth the petrol to pop in tomorrow afternoon...

[curtis]

We have an anti gaspi section at the Intermarché. A lot of the stuff I wouldn't have if free; industrial meals, burgers, chicken bits etc.
But occasionally there is something not too bad. At least it's not wasted.

[exile]

Our Auchan today to halve the price of goose as short sell by date - even though the sell-by was 27/12.

Still not cheap at around 40€ a pop but much cheaper than available elsewhere. Unfortunately I shall be dining alone this Christmas - OH has just been hospitalised - and a goose seemed far too much for one.

[Pathca]

Last Christmas Eve I went into my local Morrison’s for some last minute bits and they were trying to get rid of stock. Staff were literally walking round shouting does anyone want a lobster for £2

[Pathca]

@exile sorry to hear about your wife , I hope she is okay

[exile]

Thanks. I think she is in good hands. Low (no very low) blood oxygen levels and tested positive for Covid - apart from being very tired she is in good spirits and no obvious other effects.

[Polly]

Sending my very best wishes for your OH’s recovery, Exile - not the best time to be ill or on one’s own. But as you say, she’ll be in good hands.

[Nomoss]

Last Monday we visited a Super U a little further away, to see if they had a better range of Christmas fare than our usual supermarkets. They didn't - this is the Aude, and tastes and expectations are conservative, to say the least.
My wife noticed some nice looking, if rather large, trout, marked down to just over €5, considerably cheaper than they have been for some time, so bought two to eat that evening.
She fried them à la meunière, and they tasted fine, but my stomach informed me differently in the middle of the night and during half of Tuesday!

We usually buy only frozen fish from supermarkets, and seafood only on the coast, but might risk supermarket oysters this New Year, as those from the nearby coast, which are also sold on a stall in the village, were inedibly salty when we last tried them in September, apparently due to the drought.

[niemeyjt]

I almost exclusively buy red label (Co-op's 50% off) meat and fish - never full price - and stuff it in the freezer as well.

Problem is, I cannot resist a bargain and freezer box is now full - I need to eat it!

@exile Best wishes to Mrs Exile for a speedy recovery

[Blaze]

We always look at the anti-gaspi section and check for any reductions on things we would normally buy.
@Pathca Now that sounds an incredible bargain, £2 for a lobster !

@exile Sorry to hear about your OH (particularly at this time of year) but good to hear she's being taken care of. Covid can be very debilitating, so complete rest will help her recover more quickly.