The recommended 5-a-day advice for eating fruits and vegetables can be a challenging target for most families. Recent figures suggest that the average consumption in England is less than three portions a day, with even lower levels among children and people on low incomes. Sprouting seeds, beans and leaves are among the most nutritious and delicious ways to increase daily vegetable intake and the new ready to eat “And Sow On” range of Alfalfa and Mixed Beans varieties has taken the hard work out of a better eating plan.

London’s new food market, Food Inc. at Whiteleys W2, has taken delivery of a precious batch of Italian Truffle Trees from Emilia-Romagna. The young hazelnut plants have been inoculated with truffle spores and are guaranteed by the University of Perugia as being capable of producing truffles.

Bacheldre Watermill is proud to announce its partnership with Aardman Animations and Pyrex, for the launch of Wallace and Gromit’s new adventure film ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’. Bacheldre Watermill is offering fans the chance to copy the pair’s latest baking bonanza by launching a range of limited edition Wallace and Gromit stoneground organic flour.

Parents searching for healthier snacks for their kids will now find organic biscuits on many store shelves. “No Junk” biscuits flavored with ginger, orange, or cocoa are now going to be in Sainsburys and Waitrose from January. And every pack of biscuits contains details of a fun eco-activity that aims to get youngsters interested in the environment. At www.nojunkrevolution.com children can sign up to become No Junk Revolutionaries and learn more about how they can change the world!

The coffee, cake and shake connoisseurs have gone all out this festive season. Playful and fun, Candy Cakes has created a special Christmas range to get you in the full festive spirit. The eye-fetching cake designs include frosted mashmellow snowman, the evergreen icing gift of the red Bow peep, the arctic blue Penguin, the alabaster Nordic Snowflake, the exotically scummy Chocolate Snowman and every kid’s favourite- The Chocolate Coiner.

According to bellybytes.com, frost improves the taste of parsnips and some other root vegetables because the cold weather turns a lot of the starch into sugar. So why not sign up for a fortnightly delivery of vegetables when some of your favorite roots are at their best? Starting in January Riverford Organic Vegetables, will offer a “roots and greens’ box, aimed at thrifty cooks, to help families eat well through the credit crunch.

An award-winning Yorkshire bakery has launched a range of delicious, organic Christmas hampers. The Side Oven Bakery, based at Foston-on-the-Wolds in East Yorkshire has created the hampers in response to customer demand for its best-selling Christmas Stollen, mueslis, juices and cordials.

Green & Black’s, the luxury chocolate and biscuit maker, has launched its deliciously indulgent Organic Shortbread Collection for Christmas – its seasonal range of luxury gifts and treats.

Christmas is a time to surprise and delight and this year is no exception. Cadbury biscuits have created a fun packed Seasonal range that won’t break the bank. With something for everyone, you’re sure to find the ideal Christmas treat; whether you’re looking for chocolate goodies to give as a gift, delightful stocking fillers or simply something a little bit different to offer to guests during the festive season.

Sherry and Christmas, it’s like pudding and brandy butter and sleeping in front of the Bond film on the telly – a UK institution. My parents had one bottle of Bristol Cream which along with Warnink’s Avocaat and Stone’s Ginger Wine lay unloved and stuck to the floor of the drinks cabinet the rest of the year round. Granny used to have the Bristol Cream before lunch and soon after that a choking fit which would last all through the prawn cocktail starter.