Jack-O-Lantern Farms

How many times have you heard the lament, "There's just no place to buy gourmet foods in the Shoals."? Certainly, the Quad-Cities area is not touted as a center for fine food shopping. It's well known that the city of Florence has been trying for five years to recruit a grocery store to the downtown area, but what about those who are willing to drive a few miles for what they want?

If you fall into the latter category, you're in luck with Jack-O-Lantern Farms, a small and exclusive business run by Steve and Connie Carpenter. In 1996, the Carpenters decided to enter the wonderful world of farming, but not just any farming. The Carpenters resolved to grow natural hydroponic fruits and vegetables. You can learn more about their history at their web site:

http://www.jackolanternfarm.com/

So, what does hydroponic gardening have to do with gourmet foods? It seems that Steve and Connie became so successful with their produce that they opened a small retail outlet six years ago. Now they've added a line of gourmet products including pear paste and champagne vinegar. It might not be the next Publix, but it's a start.

Located on Garage Road in Muscle Shoals, Jack-O-Lantern Farms is open year round. Visit the Carpenters on Thursdays from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm and on Saturdays from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm. Tell them Shoalanda sent you--you won't be sorry.

New Blog: The most successful elements of Shoalanda Speaks are our true crime reports. Now you can find our past columns plus new stories on crimes of the recent and not-so-recent past at Shoals Crime.