I'm not really sure why but I've never really liked eating fruit and veg much, but I definitely…read moredon't eat enough. Maybe it's because my parents didn't force it down me enough as a child, or not often enough anyway. Whatever it is, I always struggle with eating it and I'm definitely not ever going to be one of those people that order a salad for lunch, either. Thankfully, local greengrocers like Branfresh in Ormskirk village almost make me change my mind and start eating my greens more often. The shop is full of various freshly grown and picked produce that even I must admit does look quite tasty, even if I'm reluctant to actually eat it. As it's a small local business, the service they offer there is personal and friendly, meaning the staff are chatty and happy to help if you can't find the cucumbers or oranges (although the shop is set out well enough for you to probably not need them anyway) and their prices are more than reasonable enough for you to consider choosing them over the local supermarkets.

This is a wonderful fresh produce shop on Church Street. I say wonderful because they stock far…read moremore than the average fruit and veg shop. Besides an abundance of tasty and decently priced fruits and vegetables, Branfresh also sells some grocery items, a wide selection of herbs and spices, and some organic/health foods like dried fruit, nuts, and my all-time favourite--yoghurt covered raisins! The prices here are very good. I was very pleased with the garlic chips and the yoghurt raisins that I bought. I would definitely come back here if I were planning to be in the area again.

Cassidy's is yet another example of the small, independent businesses that can be spotted…read morethroughout Formby village. Stocked with all the best fresh fruit, veg and flowers you could think of, Cassidy's represents a great alternative to supermarket giants Waitrose and Tesco. Buying your fruit and veg here not only leaves your stomach satisfied but also your wallet as their prices are amongst the best around the area, matching and even beating its competitors on a lot of their produce. The fruit in particular is lovely, with their apples having a great taste supplemented by a delicious crunch. Similarly, their strawberries are the best you can buy in the local area when in season. Whilst it might be easier for a lot of people to buy their fruit and veg with the rest of their weekly shop in Tesco or other such places, the uniqueness of independent businesses such as Cassidy's is something that need to be preserved so I encourage you to use it for your weekly fresh fruit and veg because for companies like these, every penny counts.

You may or may not know this but Formby is the asparagus capital of the known universe - honest…read more They produce the very best of the green vegetable thingy. Does asparagus count as vegetable - it looks like a weed to me? Well anyway - I'm not a huge fan of asparagus but I know plenty who are and who swear that the stuff grown round here is the asparagus equivalent of the holy grail and further that Cassidys fruit and veg is the place to get it. I should add that they also stock a great variety of vegetables which I consider absolutely delicious and do that very, very well too. My best ever, ever baked potato (and that is not faint praise coming from a jacket aficionado such as myself) was made from a spud bought at Cassidys and their summertime strawberries are by far the best you can get for miles around. They also do no-nonsense bunches of beautiful seasonal flowers and it is often here that my mum will pick up the first daffodils of spring.

This place is totally bursting with impeccable organic and localvore credentials!…read more Manic Organic is a Soil Association-accredited organic grower with a shop in a converted outbuilding of their farm. The outbuilding seemed to be unheated during our midwinter visit, with a cheerful, fresh-faced lass in boots and woolly hat there to serve us. As well as their own produce - fresh and muddy from the fields of Scarisbrick - Manic also buy in mainly local organic produce to complement what they grow themselves. I had no trouble at all spending £20 on squash, celeriac, quince, mixed salad leaves, etc. Everything is top quality and also super-fresh, everything one would hope from buying organic and local. Prices seemed very reasonable. Manic also stock a variety of organic dry and tinned goods and more stuff in display fridges. I feel this is what the world needs, organic farms with friendly shops everywhere, not just in the odd right-on neighbourhood such as Chorlton or Hebden Bridge. Manic Organic take a bow - I will do all I can to support this place in the coming year and encourage my friends to do likewise.

Halloween needs pumpkins. Fact. What better pumpkins than…read moreorganic?? I know - super priced organic pumpkins in a selection you could never imagine! This fabulous little secret called Manic Organic can be found on the main road between Ormskirk and Southport, only visible by a sign that said "Farm Shop" a sign that always makes me scream 'turn in, turn in'. This little beaut had about 8 varieties of pumpkins and squash in various sizes, shapes and colours, so we picked a baby organic normal pumpkin and a red hokkaido squash that we have just made soup from and it was amazing! While we were in there we picked up a few kitchen essentials (organic) and were pleasantly surprised by the selection of organic produce available to buy on a chilly autumn day. It cost £1.95 for two pumpkins, an apple and a lime, all organic (in case I haven't mentioned already). BARGAIN. So we piked up a few more bits. Note...the Green and Blacks cocoa powder is about half the price in here as it is in a supermarket!

Trayner Brothers is a wonderful little green grocers in Maghull Square. I love green grocers…read morebecause they always seem to have a far greater variety of fruit and veg than you find in most grocery stores, and the prices are generally really great too. When I popped in here there was quite an array of fresh produce, and I found some very tasty, plump and juicy nectarines for 39 pence each. I am a fruit lover, so I know when I see a good nectarine. They have to be ripe and ready to eat when you buy them, otherwise most of the time they turn out bland or chewy even after they are ripe. This place knows its fruit. Mmmm.

Nature's Remedies is a lovely little family-run shop in Southport that offers its customers a fine…read moreselection of health foods, vitamins and supplements that aims to provide natural solutions to any health problems customers may have. The staff there are highly knowledgeable and experienced, meaning they are able to offer advice on things like sports nutrition as well as testing for allergies. The range of different nutritional goods there is both extensive and varied, meaning you should be able to find whatever you are looking for. The shop itself does look quite small and cramped from the outside, but as you enter you find that it is quite spacious and you are able to feel quite comfortable browsing without being bothered too much by the staff there, who are both patient and approachable.

From the owner: We are an independent family and friends run health food, natural lifestyle, and holistic therapy…read morestore. We offer natural, nutritional, herbal and homeopathic remedies, dietary and lifestyle advice, and lovely organic skin care products. Our visiting therapists offer a range of treatments from allergy testing, aromatherapy massage, hypnotherapy, reflexology and reiki.