We don't need to tell you how exquisite V Smiley Preserves' honey jams are—try one and you'll see that the raw honey, sweet fruits and unexpected spices speak for themselves. Learn more from V, owner of V Smiley Preserves & Minifactory, about what sets her preserves apart.
FTY: Can you describe your business?
V: V Smiley Preserves makes honey sweetened preserves at Minifactory, our cafe, grocery and jam manufactory located in downtown Bristol.
FTY: In what ways has the FTY partnership supported your farm/business' growth?
V: Farmers To You provides steady and large orders during the winter months when many of our wholesale accounts slow down. FTY has also broadly introduced our product to Boston area homes. We meet these folks at the farmers market when they visit Vermont. We receive a good number of MA based eccomerce orders and I think FTY gets some serious credit for that.
FTY: What is your favorite product?
V: Anything with sour cherries like Black Raspberry Sour Chery Plum Conserve or Rhubarb Cherry Evergreen Tip Conserve which we are making right now.
FTY: What brings you the most joy in your work?
V: Flavor composition and minimizing food waste makes my heart sing. I love cooking and working around limitations. It helps release the brain and clear the decision making process.
FTY: Anything else you'd like to share with our community?
V: We just opened a long time dream of mine (and the whole reason I started V Smiley Preserves), a community focused cafe that celebrates preserves and seasonal eating. We hope you visit us on your travels through Vermont.
Don't forget to share your recipes and photos with us! We love to see what you're making with your farm fresh ingredients each week. Share your recipes to info@farmerstoyou.com or add your photos to social media and tag us!
