Food Finds: Emily G’s Jam of Love
It all started with a berry-picking playdate and way too many strawberries. Since freshly picked local strawberries turn bad so quickly, Emily Myers and Gina Bodell decided to make jam. They gave it away to friends, who begged for more. Some even offered to pay for it. So they looked at each other and said, “Why not?” The two mothers of young children started Emily G’s — a name they credit to Bodell’s husband. At first, they expected to sell some jam at farmers markets and to friends, but the lark transformed into a successful business with a cult following of local jarheads.
Emily G’s jams are all natural. That means no crazy additives, just lemon, sugar, pectin and fresh local and seasonal fruit. Each batch is made in small numbers so the quality doesn’t waver. It’s a family operation; many an afternoon is spent with the kids labeling jars. Myers says they don’t hesitate to trash the jams if the result doesn’t meet their expectations: “We know what we want and what’s delicious.”
love the funky sounding combo flavors of emily g’s. ordered gift boxes for a sis in law in California who needs cheering up and birthday kin in Alabama. Thx for the heads up on this nifty product.