Family pubs: Peggy's pick of the products

1. Pritchitts' Comelle long-life ice-cream mixes

I must admit I could hardly blame all the mums for rushing out of the pub last summer whenever the ice-cream van stopped outside. Forget the fact that the kids start tugging on their legs whenever they hear Signor Whippy's van coming around the corner, his Italian tan and manly 'tache are the real reason they nip outside on a hot July day.

We're now seeing good sales of ice-cream ourselves thanks to Pritchitts' Comelle long-life ice-cream mixes. They are ready to pour into soft-serve machines, producing thick ice-cream in minutes. Available in two flavours, vanilla and Cornish dairy, they are a perfect base for adding extra ingredients such as fruit, honey or chocolate chips - or it makes a perfect knickerbocker glory.

Pritchitts: 0845 1300 307, www.pritchitts.com

2. Butt Foods' bread boats

I've always fancied getting some of the 'little darlings' brought into this pub to walk the plank. I think I might get my chance with a pirate theme night for families we're running in a few weeks' time. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to this event, which no doubt is going to be full of salty dogs and crusty old seamen.

Anyway, among the amusing seafaring-themed food in the buffet will be these bread boats. Sure to appeal to kids, they are boat-shaped bread baskets, which are baked hollow and can be filled for a novel spin on the sandwich. They can be eaten hot or cold.

Butt Foods: 0115 9850 009, www.buttfoods.co.uk

3. Danby's Classic and Spice of Life ranges

My kids wouldn't have turned out so finely moulded in my own image if I'd brought them up on bland children's portions. That's why I'm all in favour of Danby Foods' products targeted at families. They don't pander to kids at all.

The Classic range includes family favourites such as cottage pie, fisherman's pie and tuna pasta bake, all of which the fruits of my loins would have appreciated as much as me when they were wee.

And I agreed wholeheartedly with the nice Danby salesman who said that pubs shouldn't be afraid to include more exotic, adventurous dishes on family menus.

Also available from Danby's is the Spice of Life chilled and frozen meals range, which features Indian and Mexican dishes as well as lasagne, cannelloni and moussaka.

Danby Foods: 01765 689 595, www.danbys.biz4. Brakes' Healthier Choices range

We had a group of American tourists in here the other day. They choked on their beefburgers when I told them they were eating healthily and refused to believe me until I explained about Brakes' Healthier Choices range.

These products - made with high-quality basic ingredients, minimal additives and reduced salt - appeal to all the family in these health-conscious times.

The burgers can be served in Healthier Choices' four-inch unseeded burger buns, and the range also includes potato waffles.

Brakes' breaded whitefish portions and Marine Stewardship Council-approved cod fishcakes have also been a healthy hit with our family customers.

Brakes: 0845 606 9090, www.brake.co.uk

5. Hartridges' long-life smoothies

I've always been a sucker for a real smoothie. I've popped a few of these Hartidges smoothies into our fridges to bring back a few memories.

Not only are they 100 per cent fruit, they have been developed with a long ambient shelf-life. The product comes in a 275ml glass bottle and is stamped with the government's Five a Day logo.

Hartridges: 023 9263 2882, www.hartridges.co.uk