You’ll find growers of delicious almonds, peanuts, pecans and walnuts here. And for
those with a sweet tooth, you’ll also find nuts that play a starring role in chocolate turtles
and indulgent nut cluster candies.
A family owned business, A&B Milling Company was established in 1945 to serve local farmers. Since the climate and soil conditions of Enfield, North Carolina produce superior peanuts, A& B Milling Company's evolution into the mail-order peanut business was a natural one. The company purchases only the best quality Virginia-style peanuts, which are known for lower fat content, large meaty size, and excellent flavor and texture. The peanuts are then shelled, processed and distributed nationally from the company’s plant in Enfield.
Nutritious as well as delicious, peanuts provide protein, vitamin B, and high food energy. Always popular as a snack food for any occasion, Aunt Ruby’s variety of peanut products make great gifts.
Many people are surprised to learn that peanuts do not grow on trees like pecans or walnuts. Peanuts are legumes, not nuts. The peanut plant is unusual because it flowers above ground but the peanut grows below ground. Planted in the early spring, the peanut grows best in calcium-rich, sandy soil. For a good crop, 120 to 140 frost-free days are required. Farmers harvest the peanuts in the fall. The peanuts are pulled from the ground by special machinery and turned over to dry in the fields for several days. The combine machines then separate the peanuts from the vines and blow the tender moist peanuts into special hoppers. They are dumped into a drying wagon and cured by forcing warm air through the wagons. Afterwards, the peanuts are taken to buying stations where they are inspected and graded for sale.
For 119 years, Bazzini has been producing the finest quality nuts, dried fruits, and confections.
Anthony Bazzini came to America from a small town in Northern Italy when he was just a boy. At his first job at a nut processing company he showed the talent, vision, and dedication to quality that would define his lifelong work. A.L. Bazzini held that very first job for the rest of his life, eventually buying the processing company he worked for. Though the company has grown and times have changed, the core values of Bazzini have endured: dedication to exceptional quality and to personal service.
The cornerstone of Bazzini’s success is treating each customer as a neighbor, just as A.L. Bazzini did. In fact, the store is still in the same neighborhood where it was located over a century ago. We still take pleasure in doing things the attentive and unhurried way—in its fast paced metropolitan location, Bazzini is a bastion of old city neighborly warmth.
In 1973, the Riddick families (twin brothers, Bob and Bill and their wives) opened The Peanut Patch. The original concept was to have a furniture stripping business where individuals could bring their antiques and have them refinished. Since this required an individual to be present every day to accept furniture, it was only natural that there be a gift shop.
Southampton County, where the shop is located, was one of the world's largest peanut producing counties. At that time, one could travel through the county and not know where to purchase a bag of peanuts. The Riddicks decided at that time to sell Virginia peanuts and promote them worldwide. Hence, the name - The Peanut Patch.
After a few years, the Riddicks decided to cook, package, and sell their own Virginia type peanuts. Virginia peanuts are known for their large size and crunchy flavor. Ours are cooked in pure peanut oil to ensure their healthful qualities and to maintain their peanut flavor. In 1992, the Peanut Patch became nationally recognized for its Virginia peanuts as a finalist in the International Fancy Food and Confection Show in the categories of "snack foods" and "classic." These award-winning peanuts are sold worldwide through our catalog, website, and other retailers.
Over the years, our crunchy extra large gourmet Virginia type peanuts have become increasingly popular and have won several International Specialty Food Awards. A few years ago, we made the decision to rebrand our product line to better position the company for growth and to protect the company's future. The rebranding allows us to trademark our brand name, expand our specialty food product lines and to market more effectively in the U.S. and in other countries. In order to trademark a brand name, we needed to create or manufacture a name. It was important to us that this "made up name" have special meaning. So, FERIDIES contains a piece of each of our family member's last names (Alice & Paul ShafFER, Judy & Bob RIDdick, Jane & Ted FrIES). The gift shopped located in Courtland, VA will retain The Peanut Patch name.
Gourmet Nuts. Fine Chocolates. Unique Gift Baskets.
A gift of Koeze gourmet nuts, fine chocolates, cashews, or unique gift baskets is sure to impress the recipient. Whether you choose milk chocolate Pecan Puddles, dark chocolate Cream-Nut Peanut Butter Clusters, luscious chocolate-covered fruit or the company’s award-winning, Cream-Nut all natural peanut butter, Koeze guarantees your purchase will make a truly memorable gift.
Jeff Koeze founded Koeze Direct in 2000 to be the catalog and online selling partner for Koeze Company, a food maker founded by his great-grandfather in 1910.
The Pope family has been growing the finest Virginia peanuts since the late 1800’s on their 3,000-acre farm in Southampton County. The Pope family grows only the world-famous Virginia jumbo peanut, prized by gourmets everywhere for its impressive size and even more incredible flavor. Quality is a trademark throughout every step of the process – from growing and harvesting the crop of delicious peanuts to shipping them to any destination you may choose.
Sunnyland Farms started its mail order pecan business in 1948. In the beginning, the company’s founders took the natural pecans home, toasted them in their oven and cooled them on the kitchen table.
Sunnyland remains fussy and old-fashioned about the quality of its products. They try to be sure every nut and fruit you receive from Sunnyland is the brightest, freshest and tastiest you can find anywhere. The company buys from growers who take the same loving care of their crops that Sunnyland does of their pecans. The company strives to make sure everything you get is orchard-fresh.
