If you reach back in your memory file, you're bound to find something that sparked your curiosity as a child. And there's a good chance, that same curiosity still carries on in your heart today.
Activities that we enjoyed while we were little, can very well give us insight of what we have passion for as adults, if we're willing to dust off those old chapters, and reconnect to our inner child once again.
This exact notion has been the experience for Kim Haggard of Annapolis, the owner and creator of Fructose & Spice. As early as second grade, Kim took interest in the art of canning. She created a class project about the subject, and would even practice canning with friends when she came home from college.
It wasn't until ten years ago, when she had the opportunity to spread out into a new home and kitchen, did she realize that her childhood activity could become more.
The set-up was perfect for canning and I started doing more. When my basement shelves started to fill up, and my friends were already stocked with goodies, I realized I might need to find another outlet for my canning. And that's how Fructose and Spice came to be.
- Kim Haggard
Fructose & Spice offers homemade jams, jellies and baked goods straight from Kim's kitchen to you at the Anne Arundel County Farmer's Market in Annapolis.
As a former science teacher, and now a stay-at-home mom, Kim utilizes the Cottage Food Law to work out of her home kitchen and whip up fresh sweet treats. She uses local ingredients whenever possible, including fruit, eggs, honey and buttermilk. She takes pleasure in supporting fellow market vendors and local farmers whenever possible.
Jams and jellies are made in small batches, keeping the flavors fresh. And although her jams aren't low sugar, they have less sugar in them because Kim really focuses on the fruit, and it's juice, to amp up the sweetness factor.
In addition to Kim's jams and jellies, she's started selling homemade baked goods as well. Considering Kim's background as a science teacher, it was a natural fit.
Most of my baked goods contain jam. I just started making the sugar cookies at the beginning of the year as a new pandemic skill. They've become popular enough that I've kept them in rotation even though they don't contain any fruit.
- Kim Haggard
My family and I had the pleasure to meet Kim at the Farmer's Market in Annapolis. We bought a few jams and indulged in them when we got home. There's a fresh, bright quality to her jam that you can't get at the grocery store. It could be the local ingredients, or maybe it's her small batch technique.
You want to know what I think it really is? It's Kim following her heart, connecting to her inner child, having fun in the kitchen and sharing her joy with us.
Her food is joy.
You can find Fructose & Spice at the Anne Arundel County Farmer's Market on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Follow her on social media for additional spots that she may pop-up. I think her creations would be wonderful wedding or shower gifts.
*All photos courtesy of Fructose & Spice
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