Ohio Original: Spotlight on Smuckers

You may know that J.M. Smucker's, the great jam-and-jelly company, originated in Ohio in 1897. But did you know the company's first product was apple cider?

Jerome Smucker and his son Willard took the fledgling company on the road in 1900, selling Apple Butter (the company's first spreadable product) from a horse-drawn wagon. The company was incorporated in 1921; it would be two more years before the first J.M. Smucker's Jams and Jellies were jarred for sale.

Although it began as (and still is) an Ohio-headquartered company, Smuckers soon branched out to other states. In 1935, the company opened a processing facility in Washington state.

Over the decades, Smuckers has supplied apple butter to US Troops in WW2, gone public (1959), introduced a lovely line of collectible plates (1973), and recently (2002) brought big-name brands Jif and Crisco into its family of brands. Perhaps most important to Ohioans, the company consistently lands on Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Smucker's makes some yummy stuff!

Recipes for the I-hate-to-cook-club
When asked about cooking, I usually say, "I cook because I like to eat." If you infer from this statement that I hate to cook, you're right. But, I do cook because I like to eat good food. Most fast food, take-out, and even "convenience" foods in the grocery store fall way short of the dietary needs in our household. That's why I'm excited whenever I find recipes that pass my "healthy-tasty-easy" test. Surprisingly, many recipes at the Smucker's site do...For example, check out Peanut Butter and Apple Stuffed Pork Chops, Peanut Butter Soup, and other yummy dishes at http://www.smuckers.com/sk/recipes/defau...

A Sweet Road Trip, and a Happy Valentine's Day
The best way to get a taste of Smucker's products and the company's history is to hit the road and visit the Simply Smucker's Store in Orrville. Opened in 1999, the company store with a whimsical country décor is located at 333 Wadsworth Road (Rt. 57, about ¼ mile north of Rt. 30). The store is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm; it is closed on Sundays. Special events such as cooking demonstrations and artist appearances are planned almost every month. Call (330) 684-1500 for the current promotional schedule or visit the online store at http://onlinestore.smuckers.com/

If you're looking for an especially "sweet" Valentine's Day gift, you can find one here. Smucker's gift baskets are appreciated by just about everyone who likes to eat good food.

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