One of the advantages of living where I do now is that there are local shops within a few minutes walk. At the moment I still do a weekly supermarket shop but, more and more, I'm enjoying just popping down to Gordon Terrace to supplement that. There's a Co-op that has milk, store cupboard items and even a few gluten free things - bread and cakes - which is helpful for me. It does sell fruit and veg but if I need those I buy from the specialist greengrocer, The Orange Grove. They are a little more expensive but usually good quality. I can buy exactly the quantity I need, even if that's just a couple of carrots or one jacket potato. They also stock more unusual items that the supermarkets often don't have: pomegranates, Jerusalem artichokes, heritage tomatoes. On some days of the week you can buy fresh fish here too. During the Covid lockdown this shop was a real lifeline for people. They even started a delivery service. I'm very much hoping they're still in business at whatever point in the future I need to give up my car and truly shop local.
I am lucky, too, in that I live within 5 minutes walking distance to an ALDI, where I can get a good choice of organic fruit and veg and everything else I need, from toilet paper to washing-up liquid to bread (although I prefer buying bread from the independent bakery down the road). We also have a farmer's market in the town centre three times a week; I rarely buy there because during the week I don't have time to go, and on Saturdays more often than not I am not here, but I love going every once in a while - even if just to enjoy the sights, scents and sounds.
ReplyDeleteNot having a car isn't so "impossible" as many people think - it just takes a sensible decision about where to live :-)
I've been doing most of my grocery shopping online with home delivery from a local supermarket for many years now, every fortnight or so. But also discovered a few years ago that one of the two small convenience shops closer to home nowadays offers quite a good selection of fresh fruits and vegs. So in between my deliveries I often go there to buy some extras of that kind - as it's hard to buy for example bananas and certain other things to last and remain fresh for two weeks...
ReplyDeleteHow nice that you live close to village shops!! That one looks like a great place to pick up things that are delicious!
ReplyDeleteI can walk to a large grocery store inn about 5 minutes but it is nice to support the small local shops.
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