FOOD columnist Jen Perry picks her best places to enjoy locally produced food in the Warrington countryside

WHEN you begin to look, you discover that it isn’t so hard to find quality food close to home, with a decent walk built-in.

We are blessed with the abundance of the Cheshire countryside, it is dotted with farm shops which burst with pride at their produce, but little voice to tell you that they’re there.

Here are my top five places to look:

ANDREWS FRUIT AND VEG

I love visiting Andrews Fruit and Veg in Warrington Market who have a fabulous selection of fruit and love it that some of the veg is locally grown.

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They source produce from Mawdsley’s Farm in Woolston where they can. Recently they had kos lettuce from the farm and some beautiful webbed lettuce too (which you’ll never see in a supermarket). So, aside from befriending an allotment holder, where else can you go?

KENYON HALL FARM

Kenyon Hall Farm is amazing, it’s a wonderful farm shop and deli with a fab café and their fresh fruit and veg is phenomenal – much of it homegrown. At this time of year they have every kind of fresh berry and currant that you have ever heard of and many you haven’t.

Warrington Guardian:

Fresh fruit at Kenyon Hall

Ever heard of loganberries or tayberries? Both are a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry, equally delicious and they grow and sell them at Kenyon Hall Farm, and you can pick your own – a great day out.

WALTON LEA PROJECT

Check out too the Walton Lea Project. This wonderful charity grows all sorts of splendid fruit and veg which can be bought at their shop in Moore.

Warrington Guardian:

Walton Lea garden

GRAPPENHALL HEYS WALLED GARDEN

Always worth a trip is the beautiful Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden. It’s a lovely place to visit in itself, with a great café, but there are usually bags of garden produce available of whatever is in season.

Warrington Guardian: Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden

Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden

The other week they had big bags of glorious redcurrants for sale and delicious Cheshire new potatoes which were a steal at a nominal donation of only £1 a bag.

HMP THORN CROSS

Another great place for fresh grown fruit and veg that is little known is HMP Thorn Cross who have a super farm shop. Check it out.

Warrington Guardian:

Thorn Cross Farm Shop

I’ve not completely ditched the supermarket, there’s a need to save time and get the bulk of the household items together, but there’s pleasure to gain from the walk, meeting the producers and munching your way through the shops. Long live the holidays.