The neverending creep of Tesco

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Wed 02 Dec, 2009 10:24 am

Personally, I couldn't care less about royalties for books, progs etc. HFW has done more for the local producers of this country than Tesco's, or any of the big 5 have EVER done. All the big 5 are concerned with is minimal costs maximum profit!!!!!!! His books and shows are informing people of alternatives to chemically indiced produce and pre packaged goods. Fair play to the chap!!

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Wed 02 Dec, 2009 4:43 pm

Si wrote: Just a thought...Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is often cited as a paragon of traditionally-produced food, and therefore the exact opposite of all that Tesco's stands for. However, if it wasn't for his TV royalties, book sales, etc (not to mention his Eton education) would he still make a profit? I like his shows but his chicken thing got my goat a bit. The difference in treatment of the "free range" and the standard chickens were marginally different before both were grabbed byt he feet and electrocuted in the head. Chicken was an expensive food a few decades ago and is not now, a roast chicken is not out of the reach of poor families and that's a good thing despite what old Hughie says.As for the "quality" of supermarket meat or fruit or veg the customer is slearly satisfied with the offerings of the supermarket or they wopuld not make the money they do. It's pointless railing against them with conspiracy theories, they do a good job overall. The Agg and Fish Department are responsible for making sure farmers don't produce illegal meat and supermarkets don't want to buy it either. I understand people might think Tesco's etc are dominant but if a little butchers opened up in your street would you all hand on heart happily pay double for your weekly meat? We had three supermarkets in Rothwell before Morrisons came in 1975, they were all [edited for content]. Grandways, Hillards and Coop.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Wed 02 Dec, 2009 5:18 pm

I usually go to Leeds City markets and pay less than it costs at the supermarket. Most people don't know there are alternatives, have no alternatives or the alternative is manky veg in a 'general' store. the supermarket is most people's default setting and changing it takes effort. Remember Keith Allen on that TV show paying £5 to get the bus from Lincoln Green to Killingbeck?I have to disagree on your assessment of the living conditions for the chickens. The standard chiken stocking density was very high and the welfare of the animals very poor. Mortality rates were high. Seems a bit strange to have a production method which kills your product. Having said that a lot of Free Range chickens are ridiculously over priced. The middling welfare that he promoted in teh second series seemed to be a balance between cost and welfare. I tend to eat less chicken nowdays.

Si · Post by Si » Wed 02 Dec, 2009 5:34 pm

simonm wrote: HFW has done more for the local producers of this country than Tesco's His books and shows are informing people of alternatives to chemically indiced produce and pre packaged goods. Fair play to the chap!! I agree with you, Simon. I was playing devil's advocate.I cook from scratch every night for Mrs Si and myself, and using decent ingredients makes it more pleasurable, despite the slightly higher cost. PS I guess the hot kickin' chicken wasn't free-range!!!!!

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Wed 02 Dec, 2009 9:46 pm

simonm wrote: Personally, I couldn't care less about royalties for books, progs etc. HFW has done more for the local producers of this country than Tesco's, or any of the big 5 have EVER done. All the big 5 are concerned with is minimal costs maximum profit!!!!!!! His books and shows are informing people of alternatives to chemically indiced produce and pre packaged goods. Fair play to the chap!! And he looks like Harry Hills hairier brother.

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 12:13 pm

Cardiarms wrote: I usually go to Leeds City markets and pay less than it costs at the supermarket. Most people don't know there are alternatives, have no alternatives or the alternative is manky veg in a 'general' store. the supermarket is most people's default setting and changing it takes effort. Remember Keith Allen on that TV show paying £5 to get the bus from Lincoln Green to Killingbeck?I have to disagree on your assessment of the living conditions for the chickens. The standard chiken stocking density was very high and the welfare of the animals very poor. Mortality rates were high. Seems a bit strange to have a production method which kills your product. Having said that a lot of Free Range chickens are ridiculously over priced. The middling welfare that he promoted in teh second series seemed to be a balance between cost and welfare. I tend to eat less chicken nowdays. Well said that man. Still, be carefull or you could be promoting a "conspiracy theory" hehehehehehe. Conspiracy theory, FFS. I shop locally and in the markets for a much less cost than a supermarket, no conspiracy, FACT.. Please explain WHY you consider it a conspiracy theory?? Or ar you just trying to be clever?

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 12:38 pm

Conspiracy theory? Sorry, don't follow you.

simonm · Post by **simonm** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 12:53 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Conspiracy theory? Sorry, don't follow you. Sorry, that comment was aimed at Reggie, he seems to think I have an alternative agenda re Tesco's.

Reginal Perrin · Post by **Reginal Perrin** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 6:10 pm

simonm wrote: Cardiarms wrote: Conspiracy theory? Sorry, don't follow you. Sorry, that comment was aimed at Reggie, he seems to think I have an alternative agenda re Tesco's. OK conspiract theory is maybe the wrong phrase to use, apologies. I think there is though an unhealthy obsession some people have with the role of supermarkets. I also shop in the market and have often been stiffed with their "all this for a tenner" meat lark too and the poorer quality satsumas from the back of the pile trick. Supermarkets provide what people want, they replaced a poorer service, the market of the last 30 years does not lie. They haven't picked out pockets we have chosen to use them. You may not like it but you are free to shop elsewhere. (Coop for instance)They provide vast amounts of second jobs to families which was just not the case in the old high street. Why protect one buthcer asnd his assistant over 15 part time mums who work at Morrisons? I repeat that if the quality was so poor then customers would vote with their feet, they don't. If the quality is so much better at smaller butchers then they will survive, simple as that.

stutterdog · Post by **stutterdog** » Thu 03 Dec, 2009 6:24 pm

Reginal Perrin wrote: simonm wrote: Cardiarms wrote: Conspiracy theory? Sorry, don't follow you. Sorry, that comment was aimed at Reggie, he seems to think I have an alternative agenda re Tesco's. OK conspiract theory is maybe the wrong phrase to use, apologies. I think there is though an unhealthy obsession some people have with the role of supermarkets. I also shop in the market and have often been stiffed with their "all this for a tenner" meat lark too and the poorer quality satsumas from the back of the pile trick. Supermarkets provide what people want, they replaced a poorer service, the market of the last 30 years does not lie. They haven't picked out pockets we have chosen to use them. You may not like it but you are free to shop elsewhere. (Coop for instance)They provide vast amounts of second jobs to families which was just not the case in the old high street. Why protect one buthcer asnd his assistant over 15 part time mums who work at Morrisons? I repeat that if the quality was so poor then customers would vote with their feet, they don't. If the quality is so much better at smaller butchers then they will survive, simple as that. I agree with you Reggie, Actually I hate shopping and I could not be fagged walking in and out of different shops to get what I want.I like the fact that I can go to Asda at Pudsey and get what I want under one roof.People just dont have the time they formally had, thats why supermarkets are so popular.