Free carrots and bigger sprouts
Days away from December 25, supermarkets have slashed the prices of vegetables used in the Christmas dinner, with bags of spuds available from just 10p.
Savvy shoppers looking to make their pennies go further than ever before can take advantage of the special prices.
Aldi’s 8p vegetables
Aldi (Snedshill, Telford Centre, Madeley, Donnington, Newport & Wellington) said it had planned to sell Carrots (1kg), Parsnips (500g), Brussels Sprouts (500g), White Potatoes (2kg), Red and White Cabbages and Broccoli for 15p each, but the bags have now been reduced to 8p.
This offer starts on Thursday, December 19, and runs to Christmas Eve. The supermarket says the price reduction means its Christmas dinner goes from £1.91 a head to £1.80.
Its festive shopping basket includes a British Small Whole Fresh Turkey (£8.85, £2.95 per kg) paired perfectly with Quixo Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix (40p, 170g) and crispy Everyday Essentials Yorkshire Puddings (40p, 15 pack), plus the vegetables at 8p each, and Quixo Gravy Granules (79p, 300g).
Customers are limited to six of each per shop.
Lidl says they won’t be beaten on price
Fellow discounter Lidl (Newport, Madeley & Hadley) say their prices are always market leading and have long-term agreements in place with producers and growers, meaning promotional prices do not affect the price paid to the farmer.
It is offering Parsnips (500g), Brussel Sprouts (500g), Echalion Shallots (300g), British Swede (each) and White Potatoes (2kg) for 15p, but it could choose to price match Aldi.
The company says it will shut most of its stores on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and its busiest shopping times are between noon and 2pm.
Its quietest times are 8am to 10am, and from 6pm onwards.
Asda joins in the 8p veg stampede
Asda (Town Centre & Donnington) says its prices don’t need a loyalty card to be enjoyed.
Available instore and online while stocks last, customers will be able get 1kg carrots, 500g sprouts, 360g broccoli, 500g parsnips and for the first time 2kg potatoes for just 8p each until Christmas Eve.
Its British Whole Fresh Turkey will be £3/kg, cheaper this year than it was in 2023. This will be available from Thursday, December 19.
Tesco is offering free carrots …
Tesco stores (Wrekin Retail Park & Madeley) are offering free carrots in the run-up to Christmas Eve.
But there’s a catch.
These are carrots deemed to be ‘imperfect’ which means they don’t make the cut for regular bags of the orange vegetables.
Instead, they are to be left out for Santa’s reindeer when he does his rounds on Christmas Eve.
Children are invited to visit the Carrots For Rudolph stations set up at the front of participating stores. They can pick a carrot and take it home so it can be left out when they go to bed.
… and says its sprouts are 25% bigger this year
Tesco says it has been working with its suppliers to find bigger and tastier sprouts.
Last year, each sprout was about 24mm in diameter, but this year they are 30mm… more of a mouthful.
Tesco sprout buyer Simon Tenwick said: “We’ve been working hard this year to bring in new varieties that have helped us deliver a better tasting sprout with a crunchier texture and perfect size.
“The quality of the festive crop that has been coming through in the last few weeks is among the best we’ve had in recent years and we are certain sprout fans will be delighted.”
15p vegetables from Tesco
Tesco is offering the most extensive list, with the discount available to those who have a Clubcard.
- Broccoli (375g)
- Brussels Sprouts (500g)
- Carrots (1kg)
- Parsnips (500g)
- All rounder potatoes (2kg)
- Swede (individual)
- Red Cabbage (individual)
Morrisons 10p vegetables (and more free carrots)
Morrisons (Lawley & Wellington) shoppers who have a Morrisons More Card can buy British Carrots (1kg), British Parsnips (500g), British Brussel Sprouts (500g) and a British Whole Swede for just 10p each until Christmas Eve
Its 2kg bag of British Best Potatoes is half-price until New Year’s Day, coming in at £1.15.
Fraser Lovatt, category director of produce and horticulture at Morrisons, said: “By cutting the costs of products like carrots, parsnips, sprouts and potatoes, we are helping customers get all they need for the perfect festive roast without breaking the bank.”
The store has other festive discounts: Customers can save 50% on Market Street Whole Salmon, on offer at just £7.50/kg (usually £15/kg) from now until 5th January in-store nationwide. More Card holders can benefit from a half price saving on Charles De Villiers Champagne Brut 75cl at just £12.50 (usually £25) until January 1, or pick up a bottle of Sorso Prosecco Spumante for just £4.75 (usually £6.50).
Like Tesco, it is offering free ‘wonky’ carrots to children.
These will be available to collect from the front of all Morrisons stores on December 21 and 22.
Andy Todd, carrot buyer at Morrisons, said: “Thousands of families across the nation will excitedly be preparing for Father Christmas’s visit soon and we wanted to play our part in helping to ensure he and his team are well fed.”
Sainsbury’s deals for Nectar card holders
Sainsbury’s (Forge Retail Park) is helping with the cost of a Christmas dinner by inviting shoppers to stock up on vegetables.
To qualify for the discount, they need a Nectar card.
The selected vegetables are: Brussels sprouts, parsnips, carrots, swede, red cabbage, and potatoes.
Story & Pics by Phil Creighton – What’s on, where to go, and what to do in Reading
