I'm not really sure why but I've never really liked eating fruit and veg much, but I definitely…read moredon't eat enough. Maybe it's because my parents didn't force it down me enough as a child, or not often enough anyway. Whatever it is, I always struggle with eating it and I'm definitely not ever going to be one of those people that order a salad for lunch, either. Thankfully, local greengrocers like Branfresh in Ormskirk village almost make me change my mind and start eating my greens more often. The shop is full of various freshly grown and picked produce that even I must admit does look quite tasty, even if I'm reluctant to actually eat it. As it's a small local business, the service they offer there is personal and friendly, meaning the staff are chatty and happy to help if you can't find the cucumbers or oranges (although the shop is set out well enough for you to probably not need them anyway) and their prices are more than reasonable enough for you to consider choosing them over the local supermarkets.

This is a wonderful fresh produce shop on Church Street. I say wonderful because they stock far…read moremore than the average fruit and veg shop. Besides an abundance of tasty and decently priced fruits and vegetables, Branfresh also sells some grocery items, a wide selection of herbs and spices, and some organic/health foods like dried fruit, nuts, and my all-time favourite--yoghurt covered raisins! The prices here are very good. I was very pleased with the garlic chips and the yoghurt raisins that I bought. I would definitely come back here if I were planning to be in the area again.

Parbold Fruit & Veg is a greengrocers owned and managed by the Italian-English Patitucci family. I…read morehighly recommend this place - I buy most of my fresh produce from here. Delivery is free of charge within a five mile radius, or you can visit the shop. The 'shop' is a 'no-frills' affair, a double garage at the rear of the Patitucci family home. So you can rest assured that you are not paying through the nose for expensive premises - no, sir! Their produce is of four grades - Regular, Local, Organic and Paolo's. 'Paolo's' denotes produce grown in the greenhouses and market gardens to the rear of the garage - as far as I know, I would consider it a sort of 'uncertified organic' as my information is that Paolo does not use chemical pesticides, etc. Paolo is the grandfather of the family, who moved from southern Italy to Lancashire in 1955, and is as devoted a market gardener as you could hope to find. Here is an article I found about Paolo Patitucci in the local newspaper http://www.osadvertiser.co.uk/news/ormskirk-news/2009/09/10/parbold-gardener-paulo-patitucci-s-back-with-his-gigantic-green-beans-80904-24645160/ So basically, all the fruit and vegetables are at least good quality, with a lot of it winning extra brownie points for being local and fresh. Plus, with Paolo's characterful vegetables and herbs, and additional organic market produce, the super-healthy niche market is well catered for. They also stock a nice selection of organic delicatessen items, plus homemade jams, etc. The business side of things is now run by Paolo's son Vince, who is another fantastic gentleman. From what I've seen of him, I would say Vince is a bit of a dude. Such as - when it was still glass milk bottles - carrying two crates of milk in each hand. Without braggadocio. Lastly, they are totally fair and honest, which is a boon when buying fresh produce.

It's moved since the last review and is now nearer the station so don't follow the map too…read moreprecisely! Great selection of veg and some nice assorted health food supplies and meat and cheese and dairy. Ended up buying a lot more than was on my list - couldn't resist the opportunity whilst passing through Parbold on the canal.

My daughter loves coming with me to Jennings as she always sees a new fruit she hasnt tried before…read more Karl the proprieter is great for giving new recipes and ideas with veg when your tired of the same old same old, as the previous reveiwer sais his chillis are not for the faint hearted. lovely shop and lovely service Well Done.

Trayner Brothers is a wonderful little green grocers in Maghull Square. I love green grocers…read morebecause they always seem to have a far greater variety of fruit and veg than you find in most grocery stores, and the prices are generally really great too. When I popped in here there was quite an array of fresh produce, and I found some very tasty, plump and juicy nectarines for 39 pence each. I am a fruit lover, so I know when I see a good nectarine. They have to be ripe and ready to eat when you buy them, otherwise most of the time they turn out bland or chewy even after they are ripe. This place knows its fruit. Mmmm.

Very well presented farm shop located on busy route into Southport. Large car park. Excellent…read moreservice with very friendly staff. Varied selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, much of which is grown locally. Also has a good confectionery display.

Cassidy's is yet another example of the small, independent businesses that can be spotted…read morethroughout Formby village. Stocked with all the best fresh fruit, veg and flowers you could think of, Cassidy's represents a great alternative to supermarket giants Waitrose and Tesco. Buying your fruit and veg here not only leaves your stomach satisfied but also your wallet as their prices are amongst the best around the area, matching and even beating its competitors on a lot of their produce. The fruit in particular is lovely, with their apples having a great taste supplemented by a delicious crunch. Similarly, their strawberries are the best you can buy in the local area when in season. Whilst it might be easier for a lot of people to buy their fruit and veg with the rest of their weekly shop in Tesco or other such places, the uniqueness of independent businesses such as Cassidy's is something that need to be preserved so I encourage you to use it for your weekly fresh fruit and veg because for companies like these, every penny counts.

You may or may not know this but Formby is the asparagus capital of the known universe - honest…read more They produce the very best of the green vegetable thingy. Does asparagus count as vegetable - it looks like a weed to me? Well anyway - I'm not a huge fan of asparagus but I know plenty who are and who swear that the stuff grown round here is the asparagus equivalent of the holy grail and further that Cassidys fruit and veg is the place to get it. I should add that they also stock a great variety of vegetables which I consider absolutely delicious and do that very, very well too. My best ever, ever baked potato (and that is not faint praise coming from a jacket aficionado such as myself) was made from a spud bought at Cassidys and their summertime strawberries are by far the best you can get for miles around. They also do no-nonsense bunches of beautiful seasonal flowers and it is often here that my mum will pick up the first daffodils of spring.

Lydiate Hall Farm Shoppe is the companion farm shop to The Hay Loft Tea Shoppe which I have…read morereviewed separately (highly recommended!) Not a lot of airs and graces here, just a very solid farm shop. These days, it would seem some of the more successful farm shops have gone way upmarket with eye-watering prices to match. Although I didn't purchase anything or look closely at the prices, Lydiate Hall Farm Shoppe has a strong feeling of being an old-fashioned 'basic, good value' type of farm shop - you will do well to stay fully wrapped up when paying a visit during winter. Just of how fresh the produce and eggs will be as a result of the frigid temperatures - and keep moving! This is mainly a greengrocers, but with the addition of what may well be the full range of Mrs. Darlington's preserves, relishes and chutneys and also lots of eggs. Things that are obviously Lydiate produce are Maris Piper potatoes, eggs and probably the sprouts stalks and cabbages also. But ask them, as I am sure you will meet with a friendly response. With a triple-whammy comprising farm shop, tea room and duck pond/peacocks on a working farm with traditional buildings, the Lydiate Hall Farm is definitely worth a visit.

A fabulous little greengrocers shop in a beautiful setting of wood and farmland with lots of…read morepeacocks & hens, roosters and ducks. As soon as you drive up the path to the car park you are greeted by chattering ducks and it is very welcoming. The actual shop is great - everything is super fresh and best of all super cheap. We bought a big bag full of fruit and veg for £6! So all these people who say you can't eat nice food cheaply can eff off. You can even buy 6 eggs from a local hen rescuer - free range of course- for a pound! A POUND! The ladies serving in the shop today were very nice, helpful and cheery.