THE Evening Press today launches a far-reaching campaign to honour the food champions of North and East Yorkshire.

We know that there are hundreds of local producers and retailers serving up fantastic home-grown, reared, or caught food for shoppers both here and further afield.

Many have fought bravely against tremendous odds to weather the storms faced by the British food industry in recent years.

We think it is high time to sing their praises and put them firmly on the map.

The Evening Press has joined forces with the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, to spearhead Eat Local, a determined drive to tell people about the very best our region can produce.

Over the coming months we will be highlighting outstanding producers and retailers to show the breadth and depth of excellence on offer in North and East Yorkshire.

At the heart of the Eat Local campaign will be a prestigious competition to recognise the very best among them all.

Up for grabs is a trophy donated by the Yorkshire Agricultural Society for our ultimate Eat Local food champion, along with awards for winners of individual retail and producer categories.

Evening Press editor Liz Page said: "As a local paper serving a local community we are delighted to launch this campaign which seeks to celebrate all the best our area has to offer."

Yorkshire Agricultural Society chief executive Nigel Pulling said the society was delighted to sponsor Eat Local.

"I'm sure there are many food champions who will help us raise the profile of our region's food," he said.

"I urge everyone to send in their nominations."

So shoppers, do you have a greengrocer without whom you would be lost? A store whose range of local cheeses just can't be beaten ?

Maybe your fishmonger can get you anything the North Sea has to offer - but he won't sell it unless it's really fresh.

Perhaps your butcher makes the best pork pies in town, or your baker's granary loaf is just to die for.

Whether it's a corner shop or a market stall, we want to know why it's the best.

We also want to hear about the finest goods being turned out by local producers.

Storekeepers, cooks, farm shoppers - we need you to nominate your favourite suppliers, and tell us why they are so great.

Updated: 13:54 Thursday, November 14, 2002