Food availability in US vs. UK?

Fresh produce is in good supply in my main supermarket, as well as the others I go to on occasion. What are you thinking of that you were unable to find? Edit: I live in a city and typically walk to the grocery store. There are also lots of farmers markets this time of year.

Of course, in, say, December how fresh it is is debateable, since it isn't remotely local, but why would that be different in the UK?

OP, you must be shopping at nothing but convenience stores, particularly if you are in Manhattan as there is an abundance of fresh produce available there, and frankly, throughout the US. I think you win the Internet today.

I've spent more time in upstate New York and Brooklyn than Manhattan. I've also spent a lot of time in Alaska (no, seriously). I honestly can't remember the specifics of where I shopped, but I remember having to take the car and drive to find anywhere that sold fresh produce. Anywhere I've lived in the UK, there's usually a small-to-mid-size supermarket within walking distance (Tesco Metro/Express, Sainsbury's Local, M&S, Little Waitrose, etc.). They are squeezing out the old corner shop/post offices, but have a far greater range of fresh food, so I'm not sorry.

How do I win the internet?

My parents are currently moving from Anchorage. The are perfectly nice Safeways all over. Sure, probably not in the bush, but there seem to be obvious issues with population sparsity that make much of AK not really representative.

Considering what gas costs in the UK, I'd be inclined to not want to use my car there, either. Never mind the fact that Brits continue to drive on the WRONG side of the road. How nerve-racking! ;-)

OP, you must be shopping at nothing but convenience stores, particularly if you are in Manhattan as there is an abundance of fresh produce available there, and frankly, throughout the US. I think you win the Internet today.

I've spent more time in upstate New York and Brooklyn than Manhattan. I've also spent a lot of time in Alaska (no, seriously). I honestly can't remember the specifics of where I shopped, but I remember having to take the car and drive to find anywhere that sold fresh produce. Anywhere I've lived in the UK, there's usually a small-to-mid-size supermarket within walking distance (Tesco Metro/Express, Sainsbury's Local, M&S, Little Waitrose, etc.). They are squeezing out the old corner shop/post offices, but have a far greater range of fresh food, so I'm not sorry.

How do I win the internet?

You just lost the Internet IMO.

I'm UK too - and I say, screw the supermarkets - I'd much rather give the butchers, fruit shop, bakers and farmers markets my money. Although some does go to the protein websites, I'm afraid :blushing:

Our food (US) sucks. Most produce is produced with GMO's, which aren't labeled. Thankfully where I live there are a few family owned farms that sell meat and produce that is fresh and not grown/fed with chemicals.

I disagree. US food is superb. The Pacific Northwest is chock full of farmer's markets, local ingredients, farm shares, community gardens, and small business vendor stands which offer organic foods that are generally much cheaper than their supermarket counterparts.

Last time I was living in the Midwest (a couple years ago) Wisconsin, Yooper Michigan, Southern IL, & St. Louis also had farmer's Market and small local businesses selling local produce for the same price or cheaper than the big-name grocers (that is, if the food in question was in season--- off season more pricey).

It's NOT hard to find raw ingredients for cooking and it is generally cheaper than processed foods if you know where to shop. More than anything, the problem I see is that not everyone knows how to cook or is willing to invest time/energy into cooking after working 2 jobs and going to school.

If you were in upstate NY then you should have had no problem finding fresh foods. Wegman's is a supermarket chain that we have and pretty much everybody shops there. Lots of fruits and veggies.

Like others have said, the availability of good food really depends on where you are.

I disagree. US food is superb. The Pacific Northwest is chock full of farmer's markets, local ingredients, farm shares, community gardens, and small business vendor stands which offer organic foods that are generally much cheaper than their supermarket counterparts.

I agree with this. I'm originally from Eastern WA & am currently in Western OR. Especially where I am in Oregon, there are farmers markets a few days a week, plus a multitude of stores that are specifically for organic, whole, raw foods. The area I'm currently living in is also surrounded by farms where you can go and get your produce if you'd like. Living here made me realize that these things exist, but in some places you just have to look for it [like the larger city I'm from in Washington].

OP, there are what is called "food deserts" in the USA. In the poorer sections of cities across the USA there are no places that fresh produce or groceries are available. In these areas, the poorest and most over-weight lack both education and nutrition. The USA may be the land of opportunity, but only if opportunity is presented.

I also agree with this. It all depends on where you live and what kind of access you have.

What kind of things are you having trouble finding?

Ive always been able to find what I need at the big chain grocery stores around here. The exception being if its not in season.

Im also in the Pacific Northwest though. So much good stuff around here.

Also, OP, Id be weary of the forums here. Its not that there arent good people and information here, but as you can see, the forums get toxic real quick. Youd think this was reddit or tumblr or something.