If you’re looking for some unique, homegrown and lovingly handcrafted local jams, jellies and preserves, look no further than Sophie Ann’s Jams & Things at the Mid-Week Madeira Beach Morning Market.
Kat Klingerman, owner of Sophie Ann’s & Things, and a self-proclaimed ‘life-long jam maker’, has created and markets over twenty varieties of jellies, pepper jellies, and marmalades. “My nieces suggested I should sell my jams after a huge harvest and jam making session in 2010 at the family farm in Ohio.” Using their middle names as the name for her new business, Kat launched Sophie Ann’s Jams & Things.
Unlike many producers of artisan jams, Kat sources locally as much as possible. “A lot of my fruits are picked by my partner and me: Elderberries in Largo, strawberries in Ruskin, and blueberries in Plant City. Sweet oranges and pink grapefruit for marmalades come from Bradenton, sour oranges for tart marmalade come from my own Seville orange tree, and lemons from St. Pete neighborhoods go into my Lemon Marmalade. I also grow the peppers such as jalapeño, scotch bonnet and habañero that I use in some of the pepper jellies,” says Kat. A recent treasure also found at Sophie Ann’s: Pumpkin Smash, a seasonal pumpkin butter with the added kick of dried apricots in addition to sour orange juice. “The absolute best pumpkin butter bar none!” according to a recent customer.
The “Things” of Sophie Ann’s Jams & Things include a variety of hand sewn items made by Kat such as eye pillows, kitty toys stuffed with hydroponically grown catnip, and lavender sachets filled with organic French Lavender.
“Kat is amazing,” states Market Operations Manager, Laura Garrison. “Not only is she incredibly talented and a really wonderful asset to our Markets, she’s also a seasoned business owner with over twenty years of experience as a graphic artist and print broker. And what many folks don’t know is that Kat has also managed over 300 theatrical productions as a stage manager and lighting designer!”
Sophie Ann’s Jams & Things can be found each week at the Mid-Week Madeira Beach Morning Market, or contacted via facebook at facebook.com/sophieannsjams. For more information on the Mid-Week Market, please visit http://www.TheBeachMarkets.com
