AS I write my last Checkout column, I would just like to say thank you to all of the wonderful producers who have helped me each week, who have taught me about products I had not even heard of and inspired me to try them, and who have made me hungry by 10am every Monday morning!

It really was an honour to take over this piece from Gillian Cowburn, and I will be sad to let it go to someone else.

Every producer I've met has such passion for what they do, and realising how important it is to shop local has completely changed what I buy and eat.

Luckily, in my new job I will pass Plumgarths Farm Shop everyday, so I can continue to go in for their super meat deals.

If you are nearer Greenodd, Peter Hutchinson's butchers can offer you lamb chops on special offer, at £24 for 12. The lovely Peter can also sell you Cumberland sausages at £7.20 / kilo.

At Steadmans of Sedbergh there is also a bargain to be had - gammon joints at £5.98 / kilo, saving you £2 per kilo.

And if you want the whole meal, get to Greenlands Farm Village, near Carnforth, where there is a meal deal for £10. This consists of six chicken fillets or a joint of pork, sticky toffee pudding and a bottle of either red or white wine.

Staff of Life would like you to know about their sourdoughs - a large white elderflower boule is £2.80, and a small 100 per cent damson tin is the same price.

There is plenty of fresh, new-in fruit and veg at Powells Greengrocers, Sedbergh, such as multi-coloured Moroccan tomatoes, at £1.60 per punnet.

In season this week there is also some giant pomegranates, at £1.50 each, and some Italian red apples, which Martin said were lovely and crunchy and sweet (£1.50 / kilo).

Bowland Bridge Stores have some delicious-sounding cakes and bakes from local Marion Clarke, including chocolate tiffin, mars bar cake and lemon drizzle. What's more, they are all £1!

And last but not least, it seems only right to finish with Gillian's recommendation at Country Harvest, and particularly because it is a sweet treat. Bon Chocolat hand-crafted chocolate slabs (£4.99 / 225g), in Eton Mess - with white chocolate, strawberry flavoured chocolate, crunchy meringue and strawberry pieces, and Banoffee Pie - with toffee chunks and banana in caramel milk chocolate with white chocolate swirls, sound divine.

If you prefer a savoury treat, Gillian also suggests Wensleydale with Peri Peri (parsley, red pepper, thyme & chilli flakes), at £1.50 / 100g, and Lazy Cow Cheddar with sun-dried tomatoes and spring onion, £1.29 / 100g.