Food News: Market watch

GREEN and Black's, the makers of luxury organic chocolate, have added another prestigious award to their ever-growing list. In the Soil Association's Organic Food Awards, the company's Organic Hazelnut Chocolate Spread won the prize for the "Best Sweet Preserves and Spreads." It is available at Sainsbury's, Tesco, Booths and Co-op, priced £2.49.

FANS of locally-produced food will love the Food From The Fells shop at the Rheged Discovery Centre, off junction 40 at Penrith. It opens on Saturday and sells such treats as damson gin, sticky toffee pudding, Westmorland cheese and smoked trout from Ullswater Trout Farm.

FED-UP of Turkey every Christmas? Then why not try something different. Smoked venison is another traditional festive dish, which is ideal served as a first course with melon. It is now available in most good supermarkets, delicatessans, or by mail order from Rannoch Smokery on 01882 632344.

NO dinner party or Christmas meal is complete without a cheeseboard. This year the RSPCA is encouraging cheese-eaters to look for its blue Freedom Food logo when buying cheese. Freedom Food cheeses are produced from dairies which are accredited to the RSPCA's scheme and consider animal welfare.