I live near Middlesbrough in the North East, and there seems to be a serious paucity of both restuarants and producers from up here mentioned on UKTVFood. Is that because they don't exist?

Can you spare a thought for your Friends in the North and give us some airtime, find where our LOCAL organic meats and veg can come from. We'd like to join in too! But all the good stuff seems to be in the South!!

Much luv!

(I love the show!!!)

I agree.

We hear all about the lovely deli's in the South (particularly London) but the North don't get a mention. I live in Durham and would dearly love to support the small businessman and specialty shops but they seem to be far and few between.

Some air time on what can be sourced in the North would be great. Ideally, master butchers and good deli's.

Presumably not just the North but all areas of the UK

There is a smashing idea for an item in the programmes. Do an area at a time and explore it foodie wise. Come out of London a bit eh!

I think that's a fantastic idea but will Good Food Live??

Perhaps they could give us a treat and start with the Northern areas first for a change.....

I'm sure there must be some excellent produce up this way but we just don't know where to find it. I also find that when you do find a 'gem' it normally entails a day's outing to get there.

Hi Emily Frances,i live in Darligton.I also find it difficult to find good veg ect, but more than anything else,trying to find good fish is a nightmare. I have shopped for quite sometime,at Bolams at Sedgefield,& it isvery good. I have to say it,s not posh,but economical.They sell almost anything,meat,fish,bakery&veg.I wonder have you tried Low Lees at Long Newton or Mainsgill on the A66 about 6 miles past Scotch Corner Ihope this helps you .

I think anything outside the home counties would be a start. But 'The North' is very large, and each region has its own characteristics, so just a bit more northern stuff doesn't do it justice.

I really hope this gets taken seriously and we see a more balanced spread portrayed.

(hudyjudy, I have been to Bolams, but my local butcher is still my fav! The farmer's market at Sedgefield is well worth a look if you get chance. Unfortunately the only box scheme in our area comes up from Richmond, not what I'd deem 'local'!!!)

Hudyjudy - I agree with you with rergard to fresh fish and must say that we have found the Quay at North Shields reasonable although, again, not posh. It's such a shame - we have the sea on our doorstep and yet a good fishmonger is difficult to source.

It would be great if we could buy direct from the fishermans catch. This is something we enjoyed when we were in North Devon in a small village called Instow. The fish was sold straight from the sea/fisherman and very cheap, on a daily basis - can't beat it when it's bought that fresh.

The Durham Indoor Market has a Fishmonger but we have had the odd bad experience so a bit put off going back.

If anyone else out there can recommend a good Fishmonger in the area, it would be much appreciated.

Emily Francis - can you tell me when the Sedgefield Farmers Market is held and where it is. I find that a lot of the Farmers Markets are held on a weekday which is not to my advantage as I work fulltime.

Hi SA Ex Pat!

To the best of my knowledge the Sedgefield market is every second sunday in the month. If you drive past the roundabout at the top of the A689 and the A177 there's a big sign which tells you the date of the next one.

I don't eat fish myself (gasp!) but I'm told that the fishmonger in Stockton is very good, and will order stuff for you if its not something they regularly carry.

Hi Emily Francis

Thanks for the info - we're going to check it out and give it a try. I'll also find out about the fishmonger and see what they can offer.

Thanks again!

Hi everyone, Nice to see there are people in my area on the site. I live in Houghton, near Durham, and as you were asking about good fishmongers, there is a fantastic one down Seaburn near Sunderland, It's called Latimers, and is on the seafront right next to the garage, worth a look if you are that way on.

Hi Quapa 1

Thanks for the tip off - another place to explore.

I'm new to the chat line and must say that I think it's really good. This is obviously the best way to find out what's in your own region. Nothing like word of mouth is there.

Cheers

Darlington indoor market has great local produce and a fishmonger. lovely fishcakes from there. the trouble is no one advertises it and people forget its there. it will go to the dogs if people dont shop there more often but it doesnt help with the problems of parking, rejuvenation of the town centre and major road closures.

Good afternoon everyone,i agree that Darlington market does have some good produce,but it,s nowhere near as good as it used to be.Ihave lived here all my life,& slowly watched both the indoor & outdoor markets go down hill.The local radio makes me laugh, they always say that there are over 100 stalls at the outdoor market on Monday & Saturday, i often wonder if they go & look.The best stall on the open market is the van selling bacon butties, outside the Dolphin centre,but it is not only the markets i have never known so many closed shops.If this is the regeneration of an old market town,it,s a mess.

Hi there

I understand that on every 1st/2nd Sunday of the month there is a Farmers market held near the blue bell middlesbrough

How do we go about asking UKTV Food if they'd mind expanding their scope a little? Does anyone know?

What about the East Midlands.
Emily Frances, If you find the answer let me know. I live in a part of the East Midlands - near Melton Mowbray, which is renowned for its Culinary expertise - we never get a look in.
We are lucky we still have a good old fashioned market on a Tuesday and a Saturday - a 2 Farmers markets a week on a Tuesday and a Friday from 8.30 to 12.00noon. In our very successful cattle market. We never get a mention!

I thought I would have serious problems finding local suppliers in my area as I live in Wigan, Lancashire. But with the help of a few web sites I soon got myself sorted out.

'The organic supermarket' (covers all areas) is one web sites I use
web address is: [link]

And as well as this web site I also use 'the organic centre' - covers Yorkshire, Northwest & Wales.
Yorkshire's site is: [link]
Wales is: [link]
Northwest is: [link]

3 web sites that have helped me locate suppliers for everything that I could need. Not all deliver to my area, but once I phoned a few I found they were very helpful in finding me someone who did.