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Shoppers are being given an alternative to supermarket shopping in Newcastle's original 'super' market, with a new store selling locally produced, handmade food.
'mmm...' based in Newcastle's historic Grainger Market, is the brainchild of New Zealand born Simone Clarkin, 46, who arrived in the north east six years ago via Russia, Italy, London and West Yorkshire.
With a background in imported foods and wines she turned her sights to foods produced here in the region, with a mission to get people thinking about where their food comes from and the impact it can have on the communities who produce it.
As well as foods from Northumberland and Cumbria, mmm... is also selling foods made in the UK and further afield from small artisan, organic co-operatives and fairtrade producers.
Simone said: "Our philosophy is to sell foods from close to home, but wherever our products are from we work with smaller producers who share our passion for good food and quality of life.
"Many of our products are handmade locally using traditional methods with the finest natural ingredients, meaning you can truly taste the difference.
"This means they not only taste fantastic, but are good value for money, good for you, the environment and the community."
Future plans include stocking spices from an organic Goan spice farm, cookery demonstrations with local chefs and link ups with other quality producers in the region.
The shop sells a range of decanted olive and rapeseed oils, balsamic vinegars, organic spices, honeycombs, organic flours, chutneys, pickles, jams, mayonnaise, organic beans, set honey, salad dressings, chocolate, organic spices, snacks, pasta, passata, curry kits, clear honey, rapeseed oil, organic pulses, sea salt, marmalades, sauces, polenta, dried fruits, mustards, rice, organic baby food, and much, much more.
Suppliers include, Northumbrian cold pressed rapeseed oils from Yellow Fields and Oleifera; handmade relishes, sauces, and jams from the Hawkshead Relish Company, Cumbria; hot chilli sauces from Trees Can't Dance, Northumberland; stone-ground organic flours from the Watermill, Little Salkeld, Cumbria; authentic Sri Lankan styled chutneys from Cumbria; and handmade jams, marmalade and chutneys from JR Jams, Tyne and Wear.