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Supermarket closure and food rationing
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Now the hoarders have filled their boots the supermarkets seem very quiet. This is helped by the fact shopping is not a pleasurable experience at the moment what with the security, strict queueing and social distancing. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Anyone know how much of its own food the UK produces?
I heard it was 46-48% the rest being imported. But I don't know where or who I heard that from.
90,000 seasonal farm workers required so there is food on the land at present. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?"
no..... because those that have panic'd bought have already done so...
yes there will be "less" of some things on the shelves (fruit and veg for example) but other than that, the longer this goes on, the more sensible people will get with the shopping!!! |
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By *ty31Man
over a year ago
NW London |
"There was an article in the telegraph saying rationing is inevitable."
We shouldn't need it, there's no shortage of supply. Plus shops and supermarkets are already limiting the number of in demand items customers can buy. |
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"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?
no..... because those that have panic'd bought have already done so...
yes there will be "less" of some things on the shelves (fruit and veg for example) but other than that, the longer this goes on, the more sensible people will get with the shopping!!!"
I noticed there was less choice today, more basic options but a larger supply of them, I’m ok with that, sometimes I feel quite overwhelmed by the choices in the supermarkets anyway. |
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In most of the country I don't think it was really panic buying but more provisioning. If you tell people that they may have to isolate themselves and their family for up to 2 to 3 weeks at a time it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that a lot of people will go out and try to buy 2 to 3 weeks worth of provisions.
Personally I keep a pretty well stocked house so just waited for the inevitable provisioning to pass and then went out and bought pretty much what I'd normally buy.
Now everyone has provisioned and with the limited numbers allowed in and consequent 2 meter apart queuing outside, I can't see stocks running low any time soon.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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It was the telegraph, plus I have heard murmurings on the grapevine about council plans.
Nothing would surprise me any more.
Most of the forum didn’t think coronavirus was a big deal a couple weeks back. Things change quickly.
I don’t know though, could be fake news, who knows any more?! |
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"It was the telegraph, plus I have heard murmurings on the grapevine about council plans.
Nothing would surprise me any more.
Most of the forum didn’t think coronavirus was a big deal a couple weeks back. Things change quickly.
I don’t know though, could be fake news, who knows any more?!"
oh I still am not over worrying x |
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"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?"
I work in a supermarket. We have no problems with our suppliers.
We have restricted customers to 3 units per item. Hired security staff to man the doors and installed a one way system
Shopping is quite calm these days as long as people stay away from each other |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?"
Do I think it's coming? Not sure it would be hard to implement given the speed it would need setting up with and the speed crooks can beat the system but I think it will be needed and I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was being actively discussed somewhere. In a few months there are going to be some very real food shortages if things don't start getting a lot better very fast |
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Absolutely, less olive oil with tarragon and capers, more bread, milk etc. Its not like U-Boats are sending Merchant ships to the bottom of the Atlantic.A bit less choice for a short while won't hurt us. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Absolutely, less olive oil with tarragon and capers, more bread, milk etc. Its not like U-Boats are sending Merchant ships to the bottom of the Atlantic.A bit less choice for a short while won't hurt us."
Thanks for reminding me!
Only gone and forgot to buy oil today! Argh! the queues. Argh again! I can t go out anyway! Toast again it is then. It's all feeling a little bit Soviet today hah. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I think there will be shortages. The UK relies on 90,000 migrant workers eack to pick fruit and vegetables. With Brexit and now flights from Europe stopped ie EU wide lockdown this means there is a massive labour shortage on the land. First crops are next month. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"There was an article in the telegraph saying rationing is inevitable.
And??"
And I thought I’d raise it as a point of discussion. Don’t like it? Well, you don’t have to engage. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"There was an article in the telegraph saying rationing is inevitable.
We shouldn't need it, there's no shortage of supply. Plus shops and supermarkets are already limiting the number of in demand items customers can buy."
Supermarkets limiting how much we can buy is rationing. |
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By *ucky24Man
over a year ago
Glasgow |
This country has a second to none supply chain. Everytime you are at the checkout that barcode is recorded and the supermarkets know exactly what is selling and what needs to be replenished. They factor in seasonal changes as well to keep ahead.
I have personally worked on constructing distribution centre warehouses the size of which you would not believe.
The reason the Military are being mobilised is because practically every squaddie can drive a truck. 3 drivers can operate one truck 24 hours a day. The army has mechanics that can maintain the commercial fleets as well as the military vehicles.
Ships are still entering our ports.
We are still exporting food so if everyone just buys what the need we will all have enough. |
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"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?"
It will not happen. There is no problem with a food suppliers. Lorries are coming every day.
Problem is with the people who are emptying the shelves with no reason.... in the panic.
So as long as we all will be doing reasonable shopping, everything will be fine.
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I wouldn’t say rationing but some items may disappear for good, as imported.
Think back to when you were kids and what was around for meals, you didn’t have the choice we have now and fruit was seasonal. |
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"There was an article in the telegraph saying rationing is inevitable.
And??
And I thought I’d raise it as a point of discussion. Don’t like it? Well, you don’t have to engage."
I work in a food distribution depot for a major supermarket. We have enough food going though our depot every day to sink a battleship and we are one of the smaller depots within our supply chain. Some of our depot's are bigger than two football pitch's, there is and never was a shortage of food, it is the panic buyers/hoarders that are causing the problem
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"There was an article in the telegraph saying rationing is inevitable.
And??
And I thought I’d raise it as a point of discussion. Don’t like it? Well, you don’t have to engage.
I work in a food distribution depot for a major supermarket. We have enough food going though our depot every day to sink a battleship and we are one of the smaller depots within our supply chain. Some of our depot's are bigger than two football pitch's, there is and never was a shortage of food, it is the panic buyers/hoarders that are causing the problem
"
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Supermarkets are already imposing their own rationing.
This virus will be around forever (although could go the way of smallpox etc). It will be manageable and life will get back to normal.
Products may fluctuate in supply but it will all get back to normal.
We are all going to be ok. |
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No, there is not need for rationing. The BIG difference from WWII is the country is not blockaded. Food is being produced and is coming through the supply chain. There may some isolated shortages particularly while the section of the food industry adjusts to supplying very largely through supermarkets. Some are set up only to supply take aways etc...
I am one who often mistrusts what the government and authority chooses to tell us. Over this issue I do accept what they say. People in the industry have said it.
The longer term problem is, will people have the money to purchase the food. Another issue... |
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Rationing of sorts has already happened here. it's a good idea because we haven't been able to buy our usual shop for weeks and only the expensive brands are left on the shelves so we have had to cut down on proper food here. |
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By *HaRiFMan
over a year ago
Beyond the shadows. |
"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?"
Its unlikely, but also supermarkets shelves seem to be returning to normal now that they are limiting the sales of items. So no need to panic again Mr Mainwaring. |
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"No, there is not need for rationing. The BIG difference from WWII is the country is not blockaded. Food is being produced and is coming through the supply chain. There may some isolated shortages particularly while the section of the food industry adjusts to supplying very largely through supermarkets. Some are set up only to supply take aways etc...
I am one who often mistrusts what the government and authority chooses to tell us. Over this issue I do accept what they say. People in the industry have said it.
The longer term problem is, will people have the money to purchase the food. Another issue... "
The supply chain to our Sainsbury's seems to be still up the spout. I was there on Friday and still bare shelves everywhere. Other supermarkets seem to be coping better though. |
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"I think it’s coming...!
What do you think?
no..... because those that have panic'd bought have already done so...
yes there will be "less" of some things on the shelves (fruit and veg for example) but other than that, the longer this goes on, the more sensible people will get with the shopping!!!"
Hiya Fabio in our area it’s the exact opposite, plenty of fruit veg meat dairy etc it’s the non perishable stuff that got battered, went shopping the other day and could have conjured up any meal we fancied, might be an area thing |
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" The supply chain to our Sainsbury's seems to be still up the spout. I was there on Friday and still bare shelves everywhere. Other supermarkets seem to be coping better though. "
Just as snap shot feel Sainsbury's are having trouble keeping up stocks. In my local ALDI on Friday. Nearly full shelves: seen this reported elsewhere.... |
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" The supply chain to our Sainsbury's seems to be still up the spout. I was there on Friday and still bare shelves everywhere. Other supermarkets seem to be coping better though.
Just as snap shot feel Sainsbury's are having trouble keeping up stocks. In my local ALDI on Friday. Nearly full shelves: seen this reported elsewhere...."
I get the feeling my Sainsbury's is your Sainsbury's, Mike. Ditto Aldi |
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"As someone up there (above me in the thread) stated, the supermarkets are rationing (limiting) number of each product. "
Hardly rationing: to my mind rationing is when the government decides what you can have, as in the last war. Today folk can just go to another outlet... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I just looked at the UK news and there's something that confuses me. It says that supermarkets are only allowing one person to shop (no couples) and that the shopper is limited to one carton of milk, one pack of TP and one loaf of bread. If the shopper is just buying for themselves, that seems logical but surely if that one shopper is buying for a family and is only allowed one of the above each, doesn't that mean they would have to make more trips to the supermarket to provide those things for their entire family? This doesn't seem logical. |
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"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste"
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment. |
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"I just looked at the UK news and there's something that confuses me. It says that supermarkets are only allowing one person to shop (no couples) and that the shopper is limited to one carton of milk, one pack of TP and one loaf of bread. If the shopper is just buying for themselves, that seems logical but surely if that one shopper is buying for a family and is only allowed one of the above each, doesn't that mean they would have to make more trips to the supermarket to provide those things for their entire family? This doesn't seem logical."
yup... I'm shopping for a family that is currently 5 adults. That maybe changing soon to add more. But one loaf lasts 1 and a half days. So I'm lucky that as I've managed to prove to one of my local shops that I'm shopping for some isolated and vulnerable people too that I'm going at certain times and the manager is over seeing that I can get my shopping in one go now. Which had helped loads today
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By *HaRiFMan
over a year ago
Beyond the shadows. |
"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment."
I don't think it's so much greed but some people getting spooked by the stuff that gets spread around on social media (threads like this popping up in places) then other people see these people panic buying and reacting to that, and everything then starts to spirals out of control. |
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"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment.
I don't think it's so much greed but some people getting spooked by the stuff that gets spread around on social media (threads like this popping up in places) then other people see these people panic buying and reacting to that, and everything then starts to spirals out of control. "
Yep......That is why it is called PANIC buying..!!! |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I just looked at the UK news and there's something that confuses me. It says that supermarkets are only allowing one person to shop (no couples) and that the shopper is limited to one carton of milk, one pack of TP and one loaf of bread. If the shopper is just buying for themselves, that seems logical but surely if that one shopper is buying for a family and is only allowed one of the above each, doesn't that mean they would have to make more trips to the supermarket to provide those things for their entire family? This doesn't seem logical."
Nope
It doesnt seem logical
Thats cos it isnt |
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By *icentiousCouple
over a year ago
Up on them there hills |
"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment.
I don't think it's so much greed but some people getting spooked by the stuff that gets spread around on social media (threads like this popping up in places) then other people see these people panic buying and reacting to that, and everything then starts to spirals out of control.
Yep......That is why it is called PANIC buying..!!!"
Sounds more like dads army to me. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment.
I don't think it's so much greed but some people getting spooked by the stuff that gets spread around on social media (threads like this popping up in places) then other people see these people panic buying and reacting to that, and everything then starts to spirals out of control.
Yep......That is why it is called PANIC buying..!!!
Sounds more like dads army to me."
They don’t like a cold cucumber up ‘em ( well some would)  |
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"In most of the country I don't think it was really panic buying but more provisioning. If you tell people that they may have to isolate themselves and their family for up to 2 to 3 weeks at a time it doesn't seem unreasonable to me that a lot of people will go out and try to buy 2 to 3 weeks worth of provisions.
Personally I keep a pretty well stocked house so just waited for the inevitable provisioning to pass and then went out and bought pretty much what I'd normally buy.
Now everyone has provisioned and with the limited numbers allowed in and consequent 2 meter apart queuing outside, I can't see stocks running low any time soon.
"
exactly. It was peaceful today and I got lots to last eleven days worth. |
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By *evaquitCouple
over a year ago
Catthorpe |
No, op.
I read that article, flimsy at best. 2nd world war references that addresses food shortages due to resources pumped into the war effort are not what's going on today. Lazy journalism for me, read like a sub standard university assignment. John Ashton should be embarrassed with that. Recently published but guessing wrote days ago and already outdated. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its threads like this that cause the problem, there is plenty of food for everyone out there if people are sensible "
I think responses to this thread have been reassuring, lots of people posting who are reporting no problems with supply. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"As someone up there (above me in the thread) stated, the supermarkets are rationing (limiting) number of each product.
Hardly rationing: to my mind rationing is when the government decides what you can have, as in the last war. Today folk can just go to another outlet..."
Play on words for press sensationalism. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"The sad thing is that half of the food the crazy panic shoppers purchased is now going to waste
And still the poor go hungary. It is a society of greedy folk that let the country down, not the Goverment."
They cannot eat but can go to Hungary?  
Sorreeeeeee couldn't resist. |
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By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"I think there will be shortages. The UK relies on 90,000 migrant workers eack to pick fruit and vegetables. With Brexit and now flights from Europe stopped ie EU wide lockdown this means there is a massive labour shortage on the land. First crops are next month."
re: the flights thing....
the lockdown on Flights are passenger flights only... Cargo Flights are classed as essential and therefore they are running as normal (or because of certain items needed being increased!)
yes.. perishable stuff like some fruit and veg we are going to either run short off or increase in price (yes the stuff you get from southern europe for example) but other than they should be fine! |
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No. Food is plentiful. May see a slight decline in options. Supermarkets are already reducing no. of product ranges and lines such as types of bread and standardising milk to 1 and 2 litre bottle sizes.
But basic supply of meat fruit and veg is fine. |
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I think we'll see fewer choices, but there'll still be food there.
I read somewhere that one of the major supermarkets were stocking 60 different types of sausage and I'd expect that to stop for a while.
Do we really need 30 different types of bread or the ability to buy lettuce and strawberries on Xmas eve?
Course we don't, we never used to...
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The only thing that might lead to shortages is too many staff involved in food production or shipping becoming seriously ill or self isolating. My dept at work currently has about 10% of staff self isolating. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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I started this thread because of a rumour I heard, not just the telegraph article (which was also reported by other newspapers).
Just a topic for discussion! Not sure how anyone can be confident of anything right now though. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Thank you to the people who have given reassuring responses, particularly people who are working within the supply chain - and thank you for the work you’re doing! |
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"I heard reports on breakfast TV that we could be facing a fresh fruit and veg shortage as there are insufficient workers available to pick the products."
What with around % million workers under or unemployed? Yes, redeployment will be needed but there are many who would be happy to be doing a job like that rather than being stuck at home. Discussed on Radio $ this am.... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I heard reports on breakfast TV that we could be facing a fresh fruit and veg shortage as there are insufficient workers available to pick the products.
What with around % million workers under or unemployed? Yes, redeployment will be needed but there are many who would be happy to be doing a job like that rather than being stuck at home. Discussed on Radio $ this am...."
Agricultural work is hard, punishing, requires long hours and is t well paid. The reason we have foreign workers is because they work a harder and accept the conditions. You can force the unemployed to take these jobs and if they take them they aren’t going to work hard |
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"I heard reports on breakfast TV that we could be facing a fresh fruit and veg shortage as there are insufficient workers available to pick the products.
What with around % million workers under or unemployed? Yes, redeployment will be needed but there are many who would be happy to be doing a job like that rather than being stuck at home. Discussed on Radio $ this am....
Agricultural work is hard, punishing, requires long hours and is t well paid. The reason we have foreign workers is because they work a harder and accept the conditions. You can force the unemployed to take these jobs and if they take them they aren’t going to work hard "
That is the commonly perceived wisdom. We are living in changed times. In times past students and other from this country willingly did this work. I would not be happy seeing people FORCED to do it. I am suggesting many would choose to do it for economic reasons and simply to give them some thing to do. Do not underestimate workers in UK.
Also do not forget three quarters of a million folk volunteered to help the NHS. Folk will help in any way they can given the chance....
Many things will change, some permanently some not. Some for the better some for the worse. Taking care of our own needs could, I submit be beneficial. Just my five pen'eth !!! |
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"I heard reports on breakfast TV that we could be facing a fresh fruit and veg shortage as there are insufficient workers available to pick the products.
What with around % million workers under or unemployed? Yes, redeployment will be needed but there are many who would be happy to be doing a job like that rather than being stuck at home. Discussed on Radio $ this am....
Agricultural work is hard, punishing, requires long hours and is t well paid. The reason we have foreign workers is because they work a harder and accept the conditions. You can force the unemployed to take these jobs and if they take them they aren’t going to work hard "
You're not taking in to account the thousands of people currently not employed who are used to working long, hard hours who are looking for ways to earn money. Or the people who would have done this work anyway but due to conditions imposed to remain eligible for certain benefits can't take on short term work. Or the people who live in towns and cities that the farmers might now consider transporting to and from farms. We live in different times, conditions alter, people will do things they previously weren't prepared to. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It is inevitable that what is available in the shops will change, will that equal rationing? I suggest it depends on how long this situation goes on for and how well the supply chain holds up. What we will see is any food that is imported, such as bananas, will certainly become less available and most likely will disappear from shelves. Hopefully homegrown food will continue to be unaffected. Rationing has to be an option but I think we are quite a long way from that point. |
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Not sure that you examples of bananas is really right. So long as they are being grown and produced and there is a demand which there will be, just need the supply chain to hold up. Transporting goods is not restricted including by air so we will be continue to be supplied. Also has the advantage of provide commerce and economic activity. That will be welcomed by government. Back in the last war were blockaded, a very different situation.
Yes, some items in the shops will change. Simpler ranges. Starvation highly improbable.
Will some people have the money to pay for their food.... Another issue all together... |
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Supermarkets have system algorithms that predict and manage supply production and shipping etc. Whilst current needs are different, due to people eating more of their intake from home now and possibly not having their summer holidays away, the systems should be able to adjust and reestablish new management flows. Foreign imported food and supplies will be disrupted but potentially people will adjust to eating different meals, sacrificing avocados for something else. Rationing is only needed where there are major long lasting shortages of healthy food. |
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No definitely not, I work as a home shopping delivery driver and were increasing time slots to try and get food out our small store normally does 130 delivers a day on 5 vans, the plan is to go to 400 deliveries a day on 5 vans, it's going to be difficult but we'll try. There's plenty of food being produced. It may come that we have less choice. |
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