What's in the shops this week with the emphasis, where possible, on locally produced seasonal & speciality foods.

Dales butchers, Kirkby Lonsdale: Very popular free-range chickens from Wigglesworth - advisable to order - birds average 6-7lbs weight - approx £10. Also, for St George's Day (April 23) George & the Dragon sausage (pork & chillies)- £2 per 500g.

Watson & Woollard, Kendal: Own-make beef, tomato & basil grills. Also, lamb, mint & rosemary grills & pork, apple & sage grills - all 49p each.

Peter Hutchinson, Greenodd: Minted lamb Henrys' - mini shoulder joints of Peter's home-farmed lamb (Woodlands, nr Broughton-in-Furness), approx weight 11/2lbs - £2.50. Also, ribs of beef on the bone - £1.75 per lb.

The Honeypot, Hawkshead: Heatherslaw Bakery (Northumberland) Easter nests' - chocolate cake nests with buttercream filling & milk chocolate mini eggs - £2 per pack of 4.

Howbarrow organic farm, Cartmel: Range of Easter eggs from the Booja-Booja organic chocolate company (dairy, wheat & gluten-free) - from £2.99.

Higginsons, Grange-over-Sands: Chicken Champignon - chicken breast fillets filled with pork & Stilton, smoked bacon & mushrooms, and dressed with a wild mushroom marinade

(oven cook for 40-45 mins)- £2.69 each.

Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop: Swaddles organic vegetarian ready meals including mushroom stroganoff in white wine with lashings of creme fraiche - £3.92 (280g) oven or microwave.

Bowland Bridge Stores: Taylors of Harrogate espresso coffee beans, ground as you like - £1.25 per 125g.

Country Harvest, Ingleton: Frozen lemon & pepper marinated chicken butterfly' breasts ideal for grill, griddle, or oven-bake - £1.49 per lb.

April 10, 2003 09:30