Didn’t buy food for a year: “Very easy”

The Wallman family wanted to challenge themselves and see if they could manage for a year without buying food or toilet paper. Now the year has passed and Korp Wallman tells us what was the secret behind the success.
– It has worked incredibly well, she says.

It was on the 30th of September last year that the couple Robert and Korp Wallman went shopping for the last time – in a year. The goal was not to have to buy anything at all, but instead to live on what was in the pantry and what could be extracted from the animals and the cultivation on the farm. Now a year has passed and there seems to have been no hardship on the family.

– It has been very, very easy. And we felt that this was a very, very good idea, says Korp Wallman.

Make your own yogurt

The couple’s farm in Söderköping is the secret to being able to live like this, says Korp Wallman. There they grow corn, potatoes, carrots, beans and much more. In addition to farming, they also get fresh dairy products, eggs and meat from the animals.

– We have our own milk from which we make yoghurt and cheese. And then we have made up our minds to live like this, she says.

Bought three bags of chips

The right approach seems to have been a winning concept for families Wallman. Despite only buying three bags of chips for the year, they didn’t open the first bag until August. The desire for Friday snacks has not created any conflict in the family.

– My husband and I have completely agreed on this. We are satisfied with the decision and feel that it has worked incredibly well. Our son who is 17 has had his own finances and decides on his own money. So if he wants to buy chips or sweets, he will, says Korp Wallman.

“Start planning”

The family will not be as strict in the future now that they have passed the challenge. But they will continue to shop once a year and avoid too many visits to the store. Korp Wallman shares his best tips for those who want to shop less often and live more sustainably.

– Start planning. What do you need to be able to cook for a week and what do you need to be able to cook from what you have at home?