MACOMB FARMER’S MARKET
Jelly Jams and More
Last summer Kevin and Susan Long of Bushnell, Illinois started making jelly, jam and salsa just as a hobby. Friends and family began to mention how delicious their creations were, and that they should start their own business.
That’s when the Longs decided to obtain a cottage industry license, and named their new venture Jelly Jams and More.
Kevin, a Keokuk, IA native, and Susan, originally from Industry, will be Macomb Summer Farmers Market vendors this season, after testing the waters at the winter market. The Longs grow some of their own produce and fruit, but when they must, they make sure to purchase from other vendors such as the Amish. Kevin says the other vendors have been very supportive of them and reciprocate by buying their products.
Jelly Jams and More was set up at last fall’s Spoon River Drive in Bernadotte and had a very positive response. Their schedule for this year is filling up and they will be selling LaHarpe market on Tuesday evenings, Abingdon Market on Friday evenings, as well as Macomb Summer Farmers Market on Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Some of the unique products Kevin and Susan sell are cranberry/orange jam, corn cob jelly, strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb jams and combinations of the three, apple butter, pear butter, brown sugar banana butter, pineapple salsa, corn salsa, and in the summer yellow pepper/cucumber salsa. All salsas are state lab certified.
They also have created an item that goes great with Ritz crackers as a dip. Jalapeno Jam with cream cheese has been well received and would be great for a party snack dip. The Longs also make, as if everything else isn’t enough, extracts … vanilla, orange, etc.
This hobby, turned cottage industry, is sure to be a big hit at Macomb Summer Farmers Market, so come early as the Longs occasionally sell out of numerous items.
