A shocking new survey has found that one in five parents have admitted to having to “skip meals” due to soaring food prices.
As the rising cost of living crisis unfortunately continues to make its impact felt nationwide, and with the effects of food poverty sadly still impacting thousands in all four corners of the UK, new research by Which? has revealed that the public’s trust in the supermarket and grocery sector has plunged to its “lowest point in more than a decade”.
Apparently, the last time Brits had this little faith in the industry was at the height of the famous horsemeat scandal.
According to the rating on the consumer group’s insight tracker, shoppers have now given the grocery sector a ‘confidence score’ of just +30 – which is on a scale of -100 to +100 – which makes it the lowest since the record-holding +24 in February 2013.
Which? also surveyed 2,000 people for its latest research.
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The consumer group said it believes the British public’s trust in supermarkets is plummeting due to food prices remaining “stubbornly high” – with 85% of people surveyed reporting they are worried about food bills and the cost of an average shop.
As well as shoppers’ falling trust in the sector and rising concern over food prices, the new Which? survey also sadly shone a light on how Brits shopping and eating habits have been impacted and forced to change as the cost of living crisis took hold – with as many as four in five (78%) surveyed admitting they have “adjusted” their habits in response to high food prices.
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The most common of these adjustments options has been to buy cheaper products (54%) or opt for budget range items (48%), while a quarter (24%) of people also told Which? they have had to “go without some foods”.
The most worrying of the survey finds is that one in seven shoppers (15%) said they were skipping meals to “cope with high food costs” – unemployed people (26%) and renters (24%) most likely to do so, as well as one in five parents and people on low incomes (below £21,000) also having to resort to going without food.
8% of the 2,000 surveyed also admitted to prioritising meals for other family members over themselves, and 4% had to resort to using foodbanks.
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The majority of people surveyed (54%) said “the most important factor” is that their average food shop is “as cheap as possible”.
Which? is now urging the major supermarket chains to start stocking more “essential budget range items” in their smaller convenience stores nationwide, so there’s more choice for shoppers to “feel the full benefit”.
“Supermarkets have the power to ease the huge pressure faced by shoppers, especially families and those on low incomes, by putting budget range items in hundreds of more expensive convenience stores,” explained Katie Alpin – who is the Head of Strategic insight at Which?.
“Our research has found that these stores rarely, if ever, stock the cheapest products.”
Featured Image – Aldi
News
Alternative Christmas Markets you need to visit in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
There are a variety of alternative Christmas Markets happening in Manchester where you can bag yourself even more festive goodies.
And the good news is that some of them are much smaller, quieter and more intimate than the madness that is the main Manchester Christmas Markets.
Venture outside your usual wooden huts and show your support for all the different Alternative Christmas Markets popping up around the city this December.
Alternative Christmas Markets in Manchester
Manchester Made Market at Deansgate Square
In the shadows of the Deansgate Square skyscrapers, a cosy and magical Christmas night market will take shape, filled with twinkling Christmas trees, food, drink, live music, and even a grotto.
More than 40 artisanal traders and small businesses will take part over the three-day event, selling food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Highlights include a 20-piece choir, Gooey sweet treats, a Wild Grill experience plus German sausages from Millington Hall Farm, a Christmas tipi, and a Santa’s Grotto.
4pm to 9pm on Friday 6 December; 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
The Night Market UK at Fairfield Social Club
Bordering on Angel Meadows Park and only a short stroll from Manchester Victoria, Fairfield Social Club are hosting a dusk to nighttime event that is the gift that keeps on giving.
‘Shopping chores’ are about to become ‘shopping cheers’ as 50 local makers, bakers and shakers are about to tempt you with their irresistible treats.
There’s standouts like Killa Carbs and FSC Garden Kitchen for your mind and body, with live music from DJs for your soul.
4pm to 11pm on Saturday 7 December | Tickets are £4 or there’s a two-ticket deal for £7 HERE.
This one’s less about shopping and more about Christmas Markets vibes – St John’s tennis court venue has been transformed into a winter wonderland, swapping green lawns for an ice blue rink.
There’s marshmallow roasting, a street-food truck and an open-air cinema where you can watch festive faves like ‘The Grinch’.
While taking in all your surroundings why not sip on a luxury hot chocolate with flavours spanning from honeycomb to chocolate orange.
8am til late Monday to Friday throughout December; 12pm til late Saturday and Sunday | No tickets required.
Makers Market (across various locations)
An insight into the stalls on the day at Makers Market.Smiles all around at the Northern Quarter pop-up.One of the many intricate gifts you can buy at Makers Market.Credit: Supplied
The Makers Market is a staple in Northern Quarter with a recurring visit the second Sunday of each month, and December is no different.
These independent artisan creators are working just as hard as Santa’s Elves to bring the best handcrafted gifts to West Didsbury, Sale and Quayside.
Not limited to Manchester, for those wanting to have a mini Christmas excursion, there’s stalls running every weekend up until the big day in Chester too.
11am to 5pm on Sunday 8 December (Northern Quarter) | No tickets required, more locations HERE.
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Victorian Christmas Market in Stockport
Nutella Cafe at Merseyway, ran by the same company.That cheeky Elf on the Shelf is even making an appearance.Credit: Matthew Nichol via supplied / Supplied
Live your Dickens dream this winter as Stockport are putting a Victorian twist on the usual Christmas Market experience to make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Enjoy fairground rides and food as well as a live choir to soundtrack and enhance your journey through these vintage huts.
Show off to all your friends about your time here with the on-site family Christmas picture area and enjoy some nutella covered treats. The chocolatey goodness may not have been around back then, but we can’t go a day without that gorgeous spread.
9am to 4pm Saturday 7 December | No tickets required.
Melanin Markets: Winter Wonders at The Royal Exchange
Those ever-so-cute Mélange Dolls at Melanin Markets in Manchester.Black creatives will be setting up stalls selling a variety of products including artwork like this.
This annual event is the largest festive celebration of Black-owned businesses and this time it’s residing at The Royal Exchange with a variation of vendors on hand to help you find your next cherished item.
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The name of this event may be frosty, but you’ll be nothing but warm as you soak up the live music covering everything from blues to reggae.
Esteemed traders Mélange Dolls will be selling toys that reflect the diversity of mixed-race and ethnic heritage children and CalyxDrinks will be selling some thirst-quenching Vegan beverages.
12pm to 5pm on Sunday 8 December| Tickets are free but you can pre-book HERE.
Winterhood at Diecast
This 250,000 square foot site has had a full Christmas transformation with the Tinsel Town Trailer Park, Club Leno and Brooklyn Beer Hall.
Mulled wine has some competition from the new festive spirit champ, mulled negroni, but there’s also cookie crumble hot chocolates on offer too, yum!
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There’s karaoke parties, fire pits, clubbing, steins and lots lots more, as Diecast has really decked the halls this year.
13 November to 31 December | Walk-ins welcome however book in advance to guarentee your table HERE.
FREE Santa’s Grotto at Bury The Rock
Christmas can be a costly feat however, Bury has got you covered with their free Santa’s Grotto running throughout December and everyday from 16 December til the lead up to Christmas.
Kids who visit the Grotto get to meet the big fat man with the long white beard when he stays in town for the month.
Although the Grotto is free, there are a handful of stalls surrounding this cosy cabin selling various sweet treats and kid-friendly attractions.
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Every weekend leading up to Christmas, everyday from 16 December to 24 December | No tickets required, opening times vary HERE.
These Christmas super fans started their celebrations off all the way back in November , so it’s no surprise they find themselves featured in this Alternative Christmas Market rundown.
From their giant-sized tree to their fairground attractions like the helter-skelter, Cheshire Oaks is flying the Christmas flag high for the North West.
A local baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser to stop it from closing for good
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester baby bank is holding a vital fundraiser in hopes of preventing from it closing for goodimminently.
For anyone unaware, baby banks are crucial organisations run largely by volunteers who help provide vital supplies to families in local communities, with more than 300 in use across the UK at present.
Through delivering much-needed aid such as clothing, prams, nappies and baby food, right through to direct financial support, they help keep parents and their children in good supply of essentials and much more – hugely important work at any rate, let alone during the winter and a cost of living crisis.
However, the Little Green Sock Project over in Trafford is at risk of permanent closure if they don’t raise £200,000 come the New Year.
As seen in this moving video, the baby bank based over in Stretford Mall is in dire need of support and right now after being given until January to find new premises.
Fundamentally operated as a non-profit and volunteer-led charity, they naturally don’t have the means to just take over a new space on their own and with the current site set to be demolished very soon, a minimum of £200k is needed to find and fund a new location.
Urging people to donate what they can and share their fundraiser where possible, as well as welcoming corporate sponsorships should other local businesses wish to back them or get stuck through volunteering days, time is of the essence.
The Little Green Sock Project was only started back in 2022 and has already supported over 1,300 children, redistributing more than £240,000 worth of essential items like clothing, cots, prams, and stair gates to local families, as well as saving 20 tonnes of items from landfill.
It’s no exaggeration to say that they’ve changed and saved lives, both parents and children, and with the often difficult festive period approaching their work is needed now more than ever.
There are just under a dozen baby banks in all of Greater Manchester, many of which are facing similar pressures. (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking on their efforts and the fundraiser, founder Catherine D’Albertanson said: “We believe that essentials needed for the health and wellbeing of children should not only be for those that can afford them. Our work ensures that no child in our community goes without essentials, but without new premises, we will have no choice but to close.”
Moreover, Little Green Sock Project is the only baby bank in the Trafford area and of the families it serves, 58% are single-parent households already struggling with the cost of raising children, while 29% are fleeing domestic abuse, often leaving their belongings behind to protect their family.
With their circular economy model, they also help reduce waste whilst providing “a trusted link between the families that have items to give, to those that need them the most”, with D’Albertanson adding, “If we lose this charity, we lose a vital safety net for many in our community.”
A service user commented: “It was a truly terrifying time when I was pregnant with my first child, I found myself completely alone, with a baby on the way, wondering how I could possibly provide for my son. Then I found Little Green Sock Project, and everything changed. Everything was carefully chosen, colour-coordinated, and presented in such a thoughtful way. It felt so special—like someone truly cared about me and my baby. That feeling is indescribable, especially for someone in my position.
“There are so many people like me with stories like this. It breaks my heart to think that Little Green Sock Project might have to close its doors. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without your help, and I hope with all my heart that the community comes together to keep this lifeline alive.”
Manchester parents need this much-loved baby bank – let’s not it fall away on our watch. (Credit: Andy Bate at Royal Foundation)
Every pound donated goes towards helping find the Little Green Sock Project a new home but people can help contribute in other ways, once again, by spreading the word or getting their hands dirty in person.
Greater Manchester never fails to amaze when it rallies behind causes like this and we’re sure you won’t let us down this time either. Let’s keep the lights on the lifelines for local families intact.
You can donate now or to find out other ways to do your bit, click HERE.