A few years ago, I moved to south Georgia for work. Georgia really is the best of all worlds: we’ve got the mountains, coastline, a BIG city, tiny towns, and wide open spaces. As you might expect, a big part of Georgia is agricultural.
The Georgia Grown program is a marketing and economic development initiative by the Georgia Department of Agriculture. The program strives to get Georgia grown products into the hands of consumers, while also sharing the message of sustainability, quality, and integrity.
Basically, if you ever see the Georgia Grown logo, you’re in for a treat.
I recently attended the Shrimp and Grits Festival on Jekyll Island. The festival had a Georgia Grown corridor, and I brought back a number of tasty treats!
Chile Today Hot Tamale: Georgia’s Gourmet Pepper Sauce
This sauce is BOSS. It’s the perfect balance of flavor and heat. I’ve eaten it on eggs, tacos, pizza, and everything in between. I like that it’s complex enough to add something special to the meal- it doesn’t just blow you over with heat (but it is spicy!). Made in Madison, GA by a husband and wife team, you can find this sauce online at http://chiletodayhottamale.net/
Jake’s Spicy Pickled Okra
Can you tell I’m into spice? This pickled okra is briney, salty, and crisp. It has a nice bite to it while maintaining that okra-y goodness. If you’ve never tried pickled okra, I would encourage you to start with this one. It’s not slimey or fibrous. Eat it whole! You can find Jake’s okra (and a ton of other yummy products) here: https://jakes-produce-cannery.myshopify.com/
Southern Pawz Chicken and Blueberry Dog Biscuits
Y’all know I’m going to bring home something for our pups! Shannon Jones, the founder of Southern Pawz, developed these treats after her sweet pup had a seizure and needed a safe treat alternative. These dog biscuits are all natural, socially responsible, and my dogs LOVE them. They come in a wide variety of flavors and the cans are reusable and recyclable. Check out Southern Pawz here: https://www.southernpawz.com/
H.L. Franklin’s Healthy Honey Palmetto Honey Straws
Ok, not only is this honey BEAUTIFUL (check out the packaging here: http://www.franklinfoodsllc.com/ ), they’re also delicious. Their honey is 100% pure, raw, and unfiltered. It comes in a variety of flavors for everything from baking and cooking to adding to tea. I chose the Palmetto flavored honey straws and have been eating them as an afternoon pick me up. The flavors are all surprisingly different, subtle, and scrumptious. If you have a chance to sample these, do it!
Ghost Coast Distillery
Based in Savannah, GA, this distillery is one to watch. Ghost Coast produces a variety of top notch spirits, including vodkas and whiskeys. I tried the B&W Ginger Whiskey and readers? It was something special. The perfect blend of warming ginger and biting whiskey made this a drink to remember. It is delicious straight up, and would also be a great addition to sweet tea or even a chicken brine. Find out more about Ghost Coast here: https://www.ghostcoastdistillery.com/
Shopping locally has always been important to me. I’ve worked at independently owned and operated businesses almost my whole life, and I know first hand how hard it can be to make your business dreams a reality. I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and try something made locally. It might just be your new favorite!
To learn more about the Georgia Grown program, visit https://www.georgiagrown.com/
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