COMMENTS MADE

• On Alligator Wholefoods:

  Posted on 12th of August 2007

  Alligator gets my LSR (longest shopping relationship) Award because I've used the shop for nearly 30 years. It makes you feel good just to go there and it's been a little oasis of quality food, education and pleasure down the years for our family. When I first went there we were new to the district and friends said it was the store for vegetarians. I was bemused at the different stuff they sold and came to realise how little I knew about anything other than meals based on meat and two veg. We're still not vegetarian but they have extended my repetoire in a lovely friendly and helpful way. They are just great and it's good to be able to give them the thanks and recognition they deserve.

• On J.H. Piercy (Piercey's Pork):

  Posted on 2nd of August 2006

  John Piercy regularly sells great pork products at about 12 markets around the York area. He's a true Yorkshireman who needs to have many many candles on his birthday cake to represent his years. He always serves you wearing an apron and a ribbon-banded straw trilby. He is a character and a gentleman. I buy from him at our monthly farmers' market in Selby. Today,I've bought my usual supplies of thick cut,dry cured smoked bacon and both some traditional pork and some toulouse sausages. When you cook the bacon it smells so wonderful you have difficulty waiting for it to be ready! Unlike supermarket bought rashers Piercy's don't oose water when cooked and they make the BEST bacon sandwiches I've ever eaten. Likewise the sausages are meaty,tasty and don't shrink when cooked. Before I started shopping at Piercy's I had given up buying pork because it lacked taste. Piercy's home produced items changed all that. I've now tried all of John's products and always been satisfied with the quality. It's often difficult to choose what extras to add to my bacon buying because everything he sells is so appetising. Ours is an open air market and you can rely on John to be there with a smile and a stall stacked with good food come rain or shine.He takes a real pride in what he sells and he deserves recognition as a hero.