T.S. Smith and Sons brings apples and more
After more than 100 years in the produce business, T.S. Smith & Sons knows a thing or two about freshness. ‘Buy local, buy fresh,’ is the company's motto.
Based in Bridgeville, Smith & Sons last month opened a new store at Wescoats Corner and Savannah Road, adjacent to Windsor’s Plant Outlet.
This time of year, all fresh produce sold at the store originates from Smith’s Bridgeville fields and orchards.
The 800-acre farm has 60 acres of apple trees and 60 acres of peach trees, says Charlie Smith, one of the fourth generation of Smiths who have continuously operated the farm since 1907.
If it’s in season, from apples to zucchini, T.S. Smith & Sons has it. Asparagus, sweet corn, white and yellow peaches and nectarines, watermelons, cantaloupes, beans, squash, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, pumpkins, gourds, and fresh-pressed cider made from Smith’s apples.
There’s also applesauce and apple butter that’s produced and packed by the company.
In addition to produce there is a selection of jams and jellies produced by Krista Schudlark of Milton. Varieties available are second to none, including blueberry-rhubarb, apricot, peach, pear, strawberry, black raspberry, nectarine, plum, pineapple and mixed berries.
Whenever possible, Schudlark uses fruit from Smith’s farm to produce her jams. Several sugar-free jams are also available.
There’s also a selection of Jake & Amos Amish-style products, made in Myerstown, Pa., such as all-natural apple butter barbecue sauce, dill pickle spears, green tomatoes and sweet watermelon rind.
And then there are apple-cinnamon cake doughnuts that are turned out fresh daily. They’re already a hit in Western Sussex County, and it won’t take long for them develop a loyal following in the beach region.
Charlie said about 25 years ago, he and his dad, Charles Lawton Smith Jr., enjoyed doughnuts and apple cider at a Michigan State Horticultural Society annual convention.
“We thought that was a good idea. So I purchased a doughnut machine and my mother, Marjorie Alice Smith, created the doughnut recipe. Now we’re as well known for our doughnuts as we are our apples and peaches,” Smith said.
The store also sells Sapp’s Gourmet Rice Pudding, a well known, locally produced item that’s hard to keep in stock. “It pairs nicely with our ginger snaps,” says Greer Stangl, T.S. Smith & Sons marketing director.
For those with a sweet tooth the store also sells a selection of Claeys Old-Fashioned hard candies, including lemon drops, sassafras and horehound.
At the farm in Bridgeville throughout July and August, visitors can pick their own peaches and nectarines right from the tree.
Special events at the Bridgeville Farm this year include Customer Appreciation Day, Saturday, Aug. 13, featuring farm tours, hay rides, live music and fresh peach ice cream; Apple Scrapple on the Farm, Saturday, Oct. 15, featuring demonstrations, farm tours and you-pick apples and pumpkins.
The year wraps up with a Holiday Open House, Saturday, Dec 3., when Santa and Mrs. Claus visit the farm.
The Lewes store is open daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
For additional information about T.S. Smith & Sons, phone 302-337-8271, or go to www.tssmithandsons.com.
