Hi all

What is the best way to attack the purchase of food etc.  I will be travelling alone so don't need stocks of food but I do like fruit / vegs, can do without meat.
Is it best to try and stock up at the larger towns or is it cost effective to buy as required where ever you may be.

Thanks
Graeme

Hi Graeme;

Depends on your setup, do you have fridge/freezer/cupboard space to stock-up?

And it depends on what you're buying, as you know some vegies and fruits don't have a real good shelf life and will go off within the week.

As for meat etc, or anything that can be frozen, definately stock-up in the larger towns/cities, such places as Aldi's can save you some considerable money, and even the regular supermarkets often have specials.

You will find in smaller towns, especially tourist orientated ones that you will pay through the nose for just about everything. So its always good to buy before you hit them. Also keep your eyes out for local farmers and enterprising offspring who are selling fresh fruit and vegies direct from the farm.

do your "main" shopping when you stumble across a largish town, usually weekly, when trouncing around little towns (the worthwhile tourist traps) then just grab a few fruit and veggies there, have a look at where the locals go don't worry too much about buying a "great swag" of tucker unless you are heading outback, just go week to week, the milk is the hardest thing to keep followed by fresh bread, but a good fridge will see you right, wrap your bread in alfoil and wrap tightly in glad wrap, try to keep as much air and light away from the unused portions as you can and it will last a lot longer, keep your milk at as low a temperature as possible without freezing and you should get about 5 days out of it because you are traveling solo don't fall into the trap of "going without" I have seen it time and time again "oh its only me, I cant be bothered" make mealtime something special and always give yourself decent grub, make it something to look forward too not something to dread or get out of the way as fast as possible as a lot of solo travelers do, I know you bugger's always have at least one substantial meal per day, whether this is lunch or dinner it doesn't matter, don't let the feeling of being alone and I cant be bothered get you, keep up the veggies and fruit as well, one is very susceptible to scurvy if one doesn't eat enough greens tinned food is a good way of long lasting cheap sustenance and there is a huge variety available now, don't go without because it is too much trouble, I know what you solo's do when no-one is watching, when it comes to feeding yourselves

Ole Grizzly wrote:

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IMPORTANT

Do not forget each State Quarantine Regulations when transporting fruit, vegetables, honey and corrugated cardboard.(breeding place for some fruit bugs apparently)

Best to carry what you can consume prior to crossing borders.

Don't forget your Passport

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All what OG said and add foam fruit & vege containers.....they confiscate them too!

 

G'day Vic,

A very warm welcome to the forum, I'm sure you will enjoy your stay.

John

-- Edited by JRH on Sunday 10th of May 2009 01:39:18 PM

We restock every couple of days because thats all our fridge will hold. When on hols we never know when we will eat out either so don't want too much fresh stuff on hand.
We also carry a couple of tinned meals and a packet of salada biscuits and a long life litre of milk just in case we cannot get things. Some places have strange closing times and you may get caught out.

pardon my ignorance ... but what is a passport? I am assuming it is the pension card? right or wrong??

I depend on long life milk, by carrying 2 fresh ones and the open one in the fridge. All of this is relative to the space and fridge you have. I have a Waeco as a deep freeze in which I carry pre-cooked meals packed in serve sized containers. I also carry some packets of noodles and a couple tins of tuna options. I freeze my bread in the Waeco as well. The van fridge ice box is not big or good enough to safely preserve food, but it's ok for short term storage. When I'm on the road I shop for the fresh stuff at the nearest supermarket or local market. Be careful of some markets. The produce isn't always local or fresh. The only state borders which do vehicle checks are into SA and WA from all directions and in the Victorian riverland region. And honey is a no no over the borders. Like everyone said, if you're not going bush for weeks at a time, there will always be a shop in the vicinity, unless you're planning on camping on 80 Mile Beach between Broome and Pt. Hedland. Oh well, even Anna Plains Station's store might help you out. Roadhouses will also have some fresh food at a pinch and a price, but then you may as well order, sit back and relax while they cook it for you. Pick a truck stop, as they have the best tucker. Cheers

Thanks John,

I see a few members in the list I recognise from other forums.  Look forward to being here, didn't know about this one before. 

If we are going a distance without shops I usually get the butcher to cryvac some meat for me beef is best as it will last longer in the fridge. Helena.

little grey hen wrote:

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pardon my ignorance ... but what is a passport? I am assuming it is the pension card?
right or wrong??

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No it is the paper work necessary for you to venture interstate. Seniors and Pension cards are also a good idea because some places give a discount for those usually Tuesday or Wednesday.

Interstate travel is easier these days as most states now use standard gauge to connect the capitals.

There is some conjecture as to wether "Fruit Fly Inspectors" actually can identify fruit any way this URL will show some of the discussion; http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/ento/Surveillance/Fruit%20fly.html