The General Chat Room

[Joseph K]

Had a very nice surprise. As myself and MrsBBM, are high risk category, we’re entitled to free food parcel every week. Ours arrived and very good it is too.

[LezLee]

Had a very nice surprise. As myself and MrsBBM, are high risk category, we’re entitled to free food parcel every week. Ours arrived and very good it is too.

What do you do with the stuff you don’t like/want/need? I got a parcel on my discharge from hospital last year. Mostly good but contained cornflakes (hate them) pasta (rarely eat it and nothing to use with it) and whole milk (I only have skimmed). I did appreciate the whole thing though.

[MrGongGong]

What do you do with the stuff you don’t like/want/need? I got a parcel on my discharge from hospital last year. Mostly good but contained cornflakes (hate them) pasta (rarely eat it and nothing to use with it) and whole milk (I only have skimmed). I did appreciate the whole thing though.

Pasta ?

3 bags = one of these

[Dave2002]

Had a very nice surprise. As myself and MrsBBM, are high risk category, we’re entitled to free food parcel every week. Ours arrived and very good it is too.

Are these like BJ's letter (yet to come) - and will arrive spontaneously, or do you have to apply? I'm not sure if our neighbour might be in the high risk category - her husband certainly is - but he's in hospital at the moment anyway.

[oddoneout]

Are these like BJ's letter (yet to come) - and will arrive spontaneously, or do you have to apply? I'm not sure if our neighbour might be in the high risk category - her husband certainly is - but he's in hospital at the moment anyway.

This is the official blurb

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-food-parcels-delivered-to-clinically-vulnerable-people

An article in the Guardian suggests that there have been problems with the contents of some parcels which seem to have been used to offload items not wanted by the firms involved and were not of great(or any) nutritional quality.https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...y-food-parcels
Lezlee, unwanted non-perishable items could go to a foodbank/community initiative if such exists locally and has arrangements for safe collection?

[LezLee]

This is the official blurb

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-food-parcels-delivered-to-clinically-vulnerable-people

An article in the Guardian suggests that there have been problems with the contents of some parcels which seem to have been used to offload items not wanted by the firms involved and were not of great(or any) nutritional quality.https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...y-food-parcels
Lezlee, unwanted non-perishable items could go to a foodbank/community initiative if such exists locally and has arrangements for safe collection?

There is a foodbank but it’s 5 miles away. I’m housebound and unfortunately have no-one who can do things for me.
I wonder how foodbanks are managing now. Might there be special arrangements with supermarkets?

[eighthobstruction]

There is a foodbank but it’s 5 miles away. I’m housebound and unfortunately have no-one who can do things for me.
I wonder how foodbanks are managing now. Might there be special arrangements with supermarkets?

....I would imagine (??) a phonecall to Foodbank would confirm that [during these strange time] they do have Volunteers who will deliver...

....certainly our district council has a NEW help line...

[oddoneout]

There is a foodbank but it’s 5 miles away. I’m housebound and unfortunately have no-one who can do things for me.
I wonder how foodbanks are managing now. Might there be special arrangements with supermarkets?

Some of the existing arrangements have run into difficulties with not being able to get delivery slots, and customer item limits affecting in store collection bins.

In terms of unwanted items if you get a food parcel, do you know who runs the foodbank, to find a contact number? I don't know if you do FB but a lot of community groups are active on there, and again it's a way to make contact. Or the church? Once a pick-up has been arranged you would only need to put it on the doorstep to be collected - perhaps in the bag the parcel came in? - no need for contact.

[Bryn]

Pasta ?

3 bags = one of these

No trouble getting organic wholemeal fusilli at one of the local Tesco's here a couple of days ago. Mind you, that was the only dried pasta they had. People had already cleared the stuff with added pesticides and with much of its fibre removed.

[Pulcinella]

Ni trouble getting organic wholemeal fusilli at one of the local Tesco's here a couple of days ago. Mind you, that was the only dried pasta they had. People had already cleared the stuff with added pesticides and with much of its fibre removed.

It doesn't help though that wholemeal pasta looks so worthy, as well as being so worthy!
Just had a bowl of (regular) fusilli with a bit of left-over veg, and they soaked up some of the colour from the purple sprouting broccoli they were cooked with. Actually made them look rather like wholemeal ones.

Tasted good though.

[Dave2002]

No trouble getting organic wholemeal fusilli at one of the local Tesco's here a couple of days ago. Mind you, that was the only dried pasta they had. People had already cleared the stuff with added pesticides and with much of its fibre removed.

The implication of that is that you are prepared to risk going to the shops. The last time I went to a shop was I think in the first week of March. I don't intend to go out at all now for a whie, not even to pick up medicine, since my prescription has been sent to a pharmacy 8 or so miles away. I'd rather take the chance that the increased risk from not taking the prophylactic tablets is small compared with the potential risk from picking up Covid 19. Maybe eventually the pharmacy will organise a mail out or delivery. I'm not in the ultra high risk category, but in a group with a higher perceived risk.

I am surprised that some of my friends who live in quite busy places compared with us, are still going to shops.

[Bryn]

The implication of that is that you are prepared to risk going to the shops. The last time I went to a shop was I think in the first week of March. I don't intend to go out at all now for a whie, not even to pick up medicine, since my prescription has been sent to a pharmacy 8 or so miles away. I'd rather take the chance that the increased risk from not taking the prophylactic tablets is small compared with the potential risk from picking up Covid 19. Maybe eventually the pharmacy will organise a mail out or delivery. I'm not in the ultra high risk category, but in a group with a higher perceived risk.

I am surprised that some of my friends who live in quite busy places compared with us, are still going to shops.

I pick the time I go to the shop (just the one on a given trip) with care. I am fortunate in living somewhere where walking there is easily accomplished without getting anywhere near 2 metres from others, The short queue at such times as I attend is short and well managed. I did once try the time reserved for we elderly. It was a big mistake. There were two long queues outside. One for the elderly and otherwise vulnerable, the other for those having to wait until after the protected hour. Mid-afternoon or the final half-hour are much quieter, in my experience. I now have sufficient provision for a good few days, having last shopped two evenings ago.

[DracoM]

For me, best news - shows what a tiny life I live - BUT supermarket has agreed to deliver!! Huzza!!!

[Pulcinella]

For me, best news - shows what a tiny life I live - BUT supermarket has agreed to deliver!! Huzza!!!

[oddoneout]

For me, best news - shows what a tiny life I live - BUT supermarket has agreed to deliver!! Huzza!!!

Splendid news indeed - and no it doesn't show what a tiny life you lead, it shows how easily modern ways of doing things can unravel and in the process cause real problems. I hope your delivery goes as planned and includes what you ordered.