There are branches of most major supermarkets within comfortable driving distance of the village, yet when we buy nearby from independent retailers, businesses and staff invest locally and our spending goes further. This helps to support the vibrancy of our local communities and keep independent village stores going. What’s more, the produce is often fresher and the food miles lower.

So let’s consider these suggestions, compiled by Chiselborough residents:

Chiselborough:

Little Brympton, East Street, Chiselborough, TA14 6TW. A small holding at the top of East Street, where Hannah & Patch produce cut flowers and home grown fruit and vegetables. All produce is organically grown, and they have a strong ecological ethos and use traditional land management techniques. The site is off-grid, running mostly on solar power, rain water and wood from the garden. Free doorstep deliveries within Chiselborough, by bicycle, from June to September. The board outside front gate gives details of what's available each week. Phone: Patch & Hannah 0779 445 3329

Daren the Fishmonger calls on Tuesday mornings in Chiselborough, outside the Village Hall, currently around 9.25am. He has a good selection of fresh, local (i.e. from the south west) fish. Phone: 07811 951 676

Dexter Beef: beef from Dexter cattle raised in Chiselborough parish is available from Paul & Rosemary Chick. The range includes a selection of cuts and all meat comes in frozen vacuum packs. For info & to order, contact Paul Chick on 07884 114646 / 01935 432911, or email pchick3@hotmail.co.uk

Norton-sub-Hamdon:

Norton Shop—a good, community run village stores and post office. A wide variety of food is stocked, including meat from Bagnell Farm, fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy produce. Bread is delivered daily. There is a weekly dry cleaning collection, and it is now an Amazon Hub. Read more here. Phone: 01935 881200

Martock:

Roy-Al bakery: they have lovely fresh bread and cakes. Baked on the premises too. It is situated in the shopping precinct.

Gould and Sons, Butcher, 75 North Street. They have a good selection of meat, cheese and fresh vegetables. In winter they have game. Phone: 01935 822671

South Petherton:

A and J Winter, Butchers, 32c St. James Street. A good variety of local meat. Phone: 01460 240560.

Greengrocer’s, 32 St. James Street, TA14 5CW, next to the butcher’s. Phone number:01460 242523

Roy-Al Bakery, the other side of the butcher’s in St. James Street.

Lopen:

The Trading Post Farm Shop, TA13 5JH. They have a wide variety of food including organic fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as meat and locally smoked foods. They do a veggie box delivery service. They are a short distance from the A303. Phone: 01460 241666

Hinton St. George:

They have a good community shop and Post Office run by volunteers. TA17 8SE. Phone: 01460 72706

Crewkerne:

The Barley Sugar Bakehouse, Unit 2 Oxen Road, Crewkerne TA18 7HN. Excellent freshly baked breads and pastries. Opens early and runs out of the favourites early!

Barrett Bros, Butchers, 25 Market Street, TA18 7JU. Phone:01460 72900 - “I can’t recommend Barretts Butchers enough. Well sourced meat, homemade sausage and a very friendly proprietor!”

North Perrott: The Farm Shop is in the main street. TA18 7SS. Phone: 01460 77090

Ilminster:

Bonners the Butchers in Ilminster - 37 Silver Street, Ilminster, Somerset TA19 0DW 01460 52465 - excellent local and organic meats - deli attached.

Yeovil:

Tramonti Italian Deli, 7A Westminster Street, Yeovil, BA20 1AF. This marvellous little shop is well located near the Tesco car park. It is newly opened, family-run, and has a fresh Italian cheese and cured meats counter, plus many useful and attractive groceries. Even stocks a good choice of gluten-free pasta. Great to see a new independent shop opening in Yeovil town centre—let’s support it.

Ceres, 9-11 Princes St, Yeovil BA20 1EN. Located in historic Princes Street, the nicest street in Yeovil, this health food shop has been going for over 40 years and has a wide range of fresh and store cupboard foods, supplements, medicinal herbs and much more.

Near South Cadbury:

Teals - 1 Orchard Lane, South Cadbury BA22 7FS - 01963 361755 farm and lifestyle shop with cafe on the A303 (London bound)

- Jillian Battersby, Sara Morley & Deb Wring