Blog
NI Food Compass blog
Original notes from the project: why it exists, how we compare prices, what we are improving, and practical ways Northern Ireland households can think about grocery costs.
The non-food products that can make a weekly shop jump unexpectedly.
Meat and fish · 2026-05-19 Meat and fish budgeting in Northern IrelandMeat and fish can dominate a weekly food bill, so comparing like with like matters.
How to compare · 2026-05-17 Common grocery price comparison mistakesThe easy mistakes that make a product look cheaper than it really is.
Local shopping · 2026-05-15 Rural grocery shopping costs are not only on the receiptFor rural households, travel can wipe out small supermarket savings. Comparison needs to include the journey.
Deals · 2026-05-13 How to read supermarket offer labels without being pulled around the shopOffer labels are helpful, but they are designed to sell. Here is how to read them with a calmer head.
Shopping checklist · 2026-05-11 Five things to check before grocery shopping in Northern IrelandA short checklist to avoid wasted trips, misleading offers and expensive basket surprises.
Methodology · 2026-05-08 How we use retailer informationThe site displays factual comparison information and links users back to retailers for final price and availability.
Data quality · 2026-05-06 Data quality notes: May 2026A transparent note on what is working, what still needs cleaning, and how corrections are handled.
Data quality · 2026-05-01 Diet filters need common senseDiet filters should help with food choices, not show cleaning wipes or stop-smoking products because of loose keyword matching.
Household budget · 2026-04-26 Household products are part of the grocery budget tooA weekly shop is not only food. Cleaning, toiletries and laundry products can quietly take a large share of the basket.
Food choices · 2026-04-22 Fresh vs frozen food in Northern IrelandFrozen food can be better value, but fresh still matters. The useful answer depends on the product and the household.
Deals · 2026-04-17 What makes a good grocery deal?A deal is only good if it fits the product, pack size, timing and household need.
Shopping method · 2026-04-13 A better method for the weekly shopHow to plan a shop around repeat buys, unit prices and fewer wasted journeys.
Project notes · 2026-04-09 Why NI Food Compass existsA family shopping problem became a public tool for comparing supermarket prices in Northern Ireland.
Why this blog matters
Google and readers both need to see that NI Food Compass is more than a table. These articles explain the thinking behind the comparisons, the limitations of the data, and the practical household decisions the site is trying to support.