When I first moved to Melbourne, we did all our shopping at our local safeway.... the fruit and vege were actually of a fairly decent standard and we had no issues with any of the produce or meat fish etc...

BUt that was 7 years ago!

I think you can almost match the downfall in the quality of their "fresh" produce to the time they started to introduce their own brand labels.... Definately from about 2-3 years ago, I noticed that the veges and fruit started looking tired and icky....

That's when we started doing ALL the fruit vege shopping at the markets and growers markets.

But I think that Ange raises 2 really important points....when farmers are held to ransom and their profits slashed.... that's just not right.... and when you buy your fruit and vege from coles and WW/safeway, we're supporting that behaviour. And same goes for when WW/coles force down profits of other companies by re-labelling products with their own.

but it's a kinda lose lose situation..... if we all stopped, then what happens to the farmers and producers?!? will WW and coles back down and start paying what the produce is worth?? or just drop that supplier for one that will co-operate?

I know it's not possible for everyone to shop and support local growers through growers markets or slow food markets.... BUT it does seem like they are popping up everywhere and most non metro towns seems to have a farmers market etc...so lets hope that continues and we are all able to get super fresh produce and the growers can get a fairer return for their work adn effort.

But the other thing I like about growers markets etc is that it makes shopping fun again! IT's outside, the whole family goes along for the trip and there are heaps of kids around and usually music and yummy food and lots of free samples!!

I can't say i've enjoyed a trip to the supermarket lately.

well I've gone on a bit of a tangent! but it's all kind of related.