As my local (and sadly one of very few in the East End) fresh fruit and vegetable shop Ahmed's is…read moremy favourite. Always greeted with a smile and 'Hello' and his wife always compliments me on my dresses/hair ~ so nice! Certainly service with a smile. I usually pop in for the more 'exotic' vegetables/spices/herbs (no, not those type of 'exotic herbs', tut-tut!) and the odd packet of noodles or chilli sauce. I love their more exotic and Asian variety of produce as let's face it, you can pretty much get apples/potatoes/etc.. anywhere but West Indian Hot Sauce or some quality spices are a wee bit harder to track down. The only reason it's not 5 stars is because sometimes their produce isn't the freshest I've seen; it's edible but if like me you don't eat a dinosaur (herbivore of course) load of fruit/veggies a day then it'd not last long in your hoose before you have to toss it. I'm all for supporting the small shop/business owners over the mega giants (Te*co to name but one) so shopping in these smaller, local and (most usually) friendlier shops is always good for the soul and your local area.

Ahmeds is exactly why we should support the local shop owner, here you get service from a kindly…read moreman who is keyed up on his shops produce. Its convenient to buy everything all in one at the supermarket, but Ahemd's brings back that feeling of community and the shop owner asking you how your dog is as you go in. The feeling is mutual and this is all about building relationships and taking things back to basics. Ahmed's is a bit different and I like to save the pounds so I am keen to go to avoid the corporate empire that is the supermarket to go to this pleasant shop. You get my vote!

I love a green grocer, but unfortunately the ones near me closed a while back so now I mainly shop…read moreat the supermarket. I heard about this one opening so popped along for a wee nosey. It's got a nice rustic look about it, more like a market than an upmarket green grocer but they have a really good range. Everything looked fresh and lush, and as well as fruit and veg they sell some cupboard staples like muesli, nuts, seeds as well as vitamins. The staff were super friendly and chatty, and mentioned how welcoming all the locals had been which was nice to hear. This is a much-needed shop in Clarkston and I look forward to going back. I thought the prices were pretty reasonable too, I picked up a bunch of assorted veg for £5.

Love this shop nice and friendly staff great variety always increasing their range which is good to…read moresee and within a day I can get a product that's isn't usually in stock great

Bananas please, lots of bananas…read more That was my request a week or so back when I was kitting up for a smoothie and bananas are a must for any good smoothie in my book. Was pleased with this place, a good tidy layout with lots of stock including fruit you wouldn't get in supermarkets and at roughly the same prices. Nice and fresh for the most part, I picked up a few things I didn't even the know the name of (too embarassed to ask) and got down with the smoothie making business! A great wee shop that will see me return if I am ever in the viscinity.

The Fruit and Veg Company were open before I got into work this morning. So this fruit shop was…read moreopen AT HALF EIGHT ON A SATURDAY MORNING. Crazy guys, but I like it! There's a lack of fruiters selling natural looking crops these days. I have watched some scary supermarket documentaries in my time and don't want to tell you that our unnatural quest for finding perfect looking fruit is actually doing our bodies a whole lot of harm, not to mention the amount of wastage supermarkets create in search of their perfectly formed plums. But I'm not talking for Greenpeace, I'm reviewing, so I guess what I'm trying to convey is how important independent fruit shops are to the community. The offerings in here look so much more natural, while also being impeccably clean. The watermelons look mouthwateringly juicy, and the fruit and veg in general is varied and colourful. Everything in here looks filled with nutrients and vitamins! All fruit, veg and scales are within plucking distance which is great for shorties like me who absolutely hate having to crane, swipe and tiptoe to retrieve anything! And this seems to happen to me often in fruitshops, bizarrely. This one, I am happy to report, has everything in working order and on my eye level. It's very easy to navigate. All in all, a good fruit shop which is open unfathomably early in the morning. Hell, now I have no more excuses not to get my five a day since it's enroute to work!

Wahl. Finally a quality fruit and veg shop in the merchant city. Not only do they do fresh fruit…read moreand veg which they go to market for every morning I'm told, they also do a great range of organic and non organic dry goods. I was just out for a walk with my dogs lucky and and Walter and I came back with a bag bursting with fresh fruit and veg and fresh organic bread they get direct from Tapa bakehouse every day. Thanks for opening, its hugely appreciated.

I really didn't expect to be so impressed with the new Stalks & Stems on Great Western Road - this…read moreis a shop of dreams! I popped in for a super quick visit and was really impressed with their range - I reckon you could do a "proper" food shop here without any troubles as they have a really big range even though the shop isn't massive. Everything is super neat and tidy and it was really easy to navigate. I was only in to browse but they have a great vegan and gluten free selection so I will definitely pop back to give those a proper look. The staff were really nice and friendly, and didn't even mind that I paid on card for a £1 drink. I'll be back for sure!

Popped into Stalks & Stems for a little browse recently and it did not disappoint! I ended up…read moremaking some really exciting purchases (aka TEA!). The store is well laid out and it's such a cute little wholefoods store! Great range of products including a good selection of nut butters, teas, gluten free products and fresh produce. I'm obsessed with tea and for a small store, I was impressed with the range of teas they had on offer and found them all to be reasonably priced. They stock a good range of Pukka teas as well as some other brands. Service was great and the guys behind the counter were really friendly and chatty. I'll definitely be back - really impressed!

Not so much a fruit and veg emporium, but certainly a handy little shop for the area…read more The selection is not massive but it does stock all the basics at reasonable prices, and you're guaranteed good, efficient, personal service that you're unlikely to receive at a supermarket. JB's is the sort of local business that definitely deserves support.

One of the things I enjoy about living so close to Rutherglen's Main Street is that it is very much…read morea traditional shopping street; you can go to the butcher's for your meat, a fishmonger's for your fish, a baker's (OK, Gregg's but you can get rolls and cakes at Coull's!) and you can go to J&B's for your fresh fruit and veg! Everything here is pretty cheap compared to the local supermarkets, and even if it isn't always much cheaper, the produce is certainly of a good and consistent quality. Sometimes their peppers are a bit dodgy, but on the whole everything is pretty decent from here. The staff are also really friendly and willing to listen to their customers. A while ago I asked if they stocked sweet potatoes, which they replied: "We used to, but there wasn't much market for them, but if you want some we can order them in!" And they did :) So don't be put off it you can't find more exotic fruit and veg, if you're simply looking for some good potatoes or fresh apples and strawberries, it's definitely worth going to J&B's if you live nearby.

As much as I hate to admit it, I am a complete hypochondriac, if I get a headache I automatically…read moreassume it's worst case scenario. I'm always nipping in here for vitamins and other health foods to keep in tip top health. Yeah, most probably a placebo effect but that's good enough for me. As well as vitamins you can also buy beauty products and toothpaste all made with natural ingredients. They also usually have deals on, like buy one get one free or buy one get one half price, so I usually get pretty carried away. The dried fruit selection is delicious, especially the dried cranberries and yoghurt coated raisins. As Gavin has already pointed out the Manuka Honey is amazing and there are very few places you can get it.

An entire shop devoted to the placebo effect, the vast majority of Holland and Barret's vitamin…read morepills and health foods will almost certainly do your health little or no good at all, but they do at least make you think you're being more healthy, which in turn will probably improve the way you feel anyway. Top of the list here is the manuka honey, which seems to genuinely work if you have a sore throat.

Places like this make me wish i lived in this area. The appeal to the southside grows and grows…read moreeach time i take a wander down what looks like wee side street and come across a number of kick ass shops, independent in most, with the occasional Gregg's thrown in.....know surprise there then. This place is a wee joy to behold and a true high end grocery store without the ridiculous pricing...well sort of. With a wide range of fresh fruit and veg, all looking to be of a high quality and very nicely presented, great choice of dried foods, biscuits, jams and other tasty treats, this is a pretty comprehensive wee store with friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere.....i like very much.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed my local grocer yet - I'm only in here all the time. I admit - I…read morehave been unfaithful once or twice in the past, sneakily picking up some veg at the nearby Sainsburys while doing a main shop. But it wasn't long before the excitement of the new Sainsburys wore off (they never seem to have brown onions, what's with that?) and I realised the error of my ways. Zucchini gracefully took me back like I'd never been away, and showered me with bountiful fruit and veg, loads of nice organic bits and bobs like oatcakes, crisps, breads, cakes, fruit juices, and pretty much any ingredient that Nigella can throw at you. AND they have brown onions the size of Death Stars. Forgive me Zucchini. I'll never stray again.

If you're a fan of Roots and Fruits, as most west-enders are, then definately try Andersons…read more It has the homey farmers' market feel to it that Roots and Fruits used to have. Ultra cheap, and excellent produce, you won't be disappointed. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and in fact, I've only ever seen the one guy working there, and let me tell you, he knows just about everyone in the neighbourhood! It's the independant 'Mom and Pop' business that is championed in a market economy; the 'little guy' we've been trying to protect from the big bad chain stores. They own a little flower shop next door, so while you're out buying the produce for the gourmet meal you're making your significant other for your anniversary, pick up some fresh cut flowers as well! They will not allow you to buy anything which is un-ripe or unhealthy. And with service like this, you'll never want to get your veg from Tescos ever again.

Anderson's on Queen Margaret Drive has been supplying my flatmates and I with organic fruit and…read morevegetables since we mvoed into the area. For competitive prices that you can only really beat at superstores like tesco you get top-quality pleasant service and top-quality fruit and veg, along with the feel-good factor of knowing you helped a small local business. I've yet to come across anything that has tasted slightly off, or even gone off before use, from Anderson's and I will still be shopping here for my fruit and veg even if Tesco's were to open right next door to my flat - it would be well worth the short walk.