A Delightful Spoon of Nature!
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As a child, Debbie spent her summers with her gran, mum and aunts picking fresh fruit and veggies from her aunt Elsie’s garden. Cooking up jams and pickles, to store for the winter months are Debbie’s first memories of being introduced to the craft of creating preserves.
Co-founder and co-business owner of Providence Preserves, Debbie Roberts has since, come a long way. After retiring as a Special Education teacher of thirty years, she was finally able to return towards this childhood passion. With her husband, Kenneth’s encouragement and peaches, pears and apples that they had grown over the years, Debbie decided to make preserves for friends and family as Christmas presents.
Growing requests and love for the jams and pickles led to the beginnings of Providence Preserves LLC in North Carolina in 2009. So, how did they reach Texas? Here are the excerpts to a remarkably interesting interview Texas Real Food had with Providence Preserves owners, Debbie and Kenneth.
TRF: So, Let’s Begin With Asking How You Landed in Texas and What Were the Obstacles, If Any That You Faced in Setting Shop Here?
PP: Well, we relocated for a reason awfully close to our heart. To be near our grandchildren. Setting our business here was almost like starting from the ground up again. Going through kitchen inspections, certifications, and product testing. Making sure we had enough produce to meet the demand at farmers markets, we also faced issues locating sources of in season fruits and vegetables that did not grow at local farmers and backyard gardeners.
TRF: What is the USP of Providence Preserves Products? Please Tell Our Readers About Your Special Preserves.
PP: To begin with, our products are made in small batches and hand ladled. They contain no artificial preservatives. We only make preserves when the produce is in season. Needless to say, we are very busy from May until September. We regularly sell out of Berry-Peachy Jam, Chow-Chow and Squash Pickles. Our Berry-Peachy Jam is a favorite with kids. Parents like knowing the strawberries, peaches and blueberries are from the local area and east Texas. The Chow-Chow has become a favorite as well. We make it both in a mild and a hot. It has won First Place in its category at the 2018 State Fair of Texas! It is the best relish you may ever taste.
The Squash Pickles and the Watermelon Rind Pickles always raise eyebrows. The Watermelon Rind Pickles won 2nd Place at the State Fair of Texas in 2017. It gives you an experience of eating pickles in a whole different way.
We have also recently started offering a delicious southern biscuit mix with our jams.
TRF: Hmm, Those Flavors Do Sound Unusual! Surely, Something We Would Be Excited to Try! Are Watermelon Rind Pickle and Squash Pickle the Only Ones, Or Do You Have More Unique Flavors in Your Pickles Range?
PP: You bet we do! Our Bread and Butter Pickle is more towards the sweeter side with a hit of perfectly balanced spices! They go so well with traditional southern dishes. We also have our Cinnamon Cucumber Rings, that sing of cinnamon-ny notes and a twist of a secret red spice! It makes them quite popular at Christmas dinners. The Dilly Beans pickles seasoned with garlic and red pepper flakes (how long do red pepper flakes last?) are like natural partners to white wine and cheese.
TRF: How Has the Current COVID-19 Situation Affected Your Business and How are You Tackling It? Any Special Offers During This Time That You Wish to Let the Readers Know About?
PP: We have chosen not to be part of the farmers markets at the present time due to the pandemic. Not being able to sell directly to the public at trade shows and other public venues have impacted sales.
However, to keep customers informed, we do advertise and post on social media and our website, www.providencepreserves.com . Until the 1st of July, we are offering
Any 2 half pint jars + Biscuit Mix for $15
Cinnamon Cucumber Rings (pint only) $10 each
Free meet-up delivery in DFW
TRF: Where Can We Find Providence Preserves Products Once the Situation is Settled?
PP: Our products are currently available for sale on the website. Once it is deemed safe enough, Providence Preserves LLC will be found at the following sites:
Denton Drive Live in Farmers Branch every second Saturday 5-9pm (June-Sept)
Paul Quinn We Over Me Farm, Dallas
Duncan Switch Market in Duncanville, every third Saturday, 9am-3pm
West Wall Street, Friendship West Bapt. Dallas, “Holiday Edition” December
State Fair of Texas, GoTexan Pavillion, Sept-Oct
Church Bazaars in Duncanville and Dallas Texas, November & December
Our list of products includes:
Half Pints – Berry-Peachy Jam, Chow-Chow (mild & hot), Jalapeno Mint Jelly, Peach Habanero, Peach Jam, Plum Jam, Strawberry Jam, Tomato Pear Chutney and Watermelon Rind Pickles
Pints – Bread & Butter Pickles, Cinnamon Cucumber Rings, Dilly Beans, Pear Preserves, Pickled Okra, Squash Pickles and Watermelon Rind Pickles
Thank you to the Roberts, for taking out the time and speaking with us.
Now that you know where to find award winning pickles and preserves, waste no time and head on to www.providencepreserves.com to try some!
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