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Shoppers revisit 'wartime' tastes

Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 May 2010, 23:10

Shoppers have developed a taste for old-fashioned "wartime" food since the recession, figures show.
Sales of powdered milk, sandwich paste and corned beef have increased over the last two years, according to mySupermarket.co.uk.
Data from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Ocado shows sales of powdered custard is up 117%, powdered milk has increased by 36%, fish paste is up 18% and corned beef is up 16%.
Sales of sandwich spread brand Shippam's - a company established in 1750 - have increased by 77% since 2008.

The popularity of the old-fashioned items has increased most in the east of England - up 50% - since the start of the economic downturn in 2008.
However, Londoners appear to be immune to the trend, buying 15% less now than in 2008.
Those in north east England buy the most supposedly outdated food, now spending £14.66 a year, closely followed by Wales at £14.36.
MySupermarket spokesman Jonny Steel said consumers appeared to be relying on the items as "cheap and cheerful" alternatives to more expensive products.
He said: "It's interesting to see these old style products enjoying a resurgence over the last two years.
"The items that have seen sales increases are things we tend to associate with wartime, so this may well be a reaction to the recession as consumers look to rein in their shopping bills to get through a difficult time."

Most of this sort of thing has never been off my menu! Dont enjoy spicy foods, which seem to be all the rage.

I associate fish paste with sandwiches in schooldays - not a big fan! Not keen on the other items either.

I've usually got a couple of tins of corned beef in the cupboard, -I like it with new potatoes and salad, but I don't often buy any of the other 'old favourites' except dried milk if I am using a particular recipe in the breadmaker.

Glad to see Shippams are doing OK though.
We toured their factory when we were on honeymoon...How romantic !..Lol

Gwyn

When I worked in the crab factory in Shetland, I saw crab paste being made.

......I think I've 'dared' to eat it twice in the past 30 odd years - just out of a feeling of nostalgia!! LOL

I like corned beef, I tried a new one last week, Lean corned beef and it was too, none of that fat all round it and very tasty, I like it with chips, new potatoes or in sandwiches etc

I remember crab or salmon paste etc, in sarnies when I was first out to work - Mum used to run out of ideas for my packed lunch and I also used to have it, if I went on a school trip, in my sandwiches.

I have used powdered milk in the past, it's handy to take on holiday to use until you can get out and buy fresh milk, and as a standby if you run out at home.

My o.h. has started enjoying Spam, he tried some ready to cook spam fritters a few years back and loves those, I cook them on a baking tray in the oven, with oven chips and lots of veg, and he has now started buying cans of Spam for his packed lunch at work.
If things get harder who knows what we will have to use, corned beef hash might become a very common meal lol

Lizx


Maggie, what did they put in the crab paste except for the crab, bet there wasn't much of that in there really lol


Edited, Huia, amazing what a couple of commas can do lol

How did you go on school trips in your sandwiches, Liz? It is funny how the way things are worded can make a difference to what is actually meant. Sorry to poke fun at you but I couldnt resist.

Huia.