As a child, Frank Cole learned his gardening skills from his father. He and his 11 siblings worked the family land in Shaw raising a variety of fruits and vegetables. Once harvested, Frank would walk door to door in surrounding communities, including Greenville, selling his bounty. Today, Frank continues to work the same land in Shaw that his father bought in the 40s with his wife Linda. After retiring in 2011 from USG, Frank went straight back to the garden, but instead of going door to door, Frank and Linda now sell their goods at the Greenville Farmers’ Market. Together they own F&L Produce, raising watermelons, peas, beans, okra, squash, corn, and so much more in the same soil the Coles have tilled for the better part of a century. There isn’t much their hard work and faith can’t produce. “I’ve been doing it all my life, but when I retired, I started coming to the market in Greenville,” Frank said, “I just love growing what people want. That’s what we enjoy.” Linda has also always been around a garden. She was quick to love her husband’s hobby upon his retirement, “we just love growing anything. It’s good to see people smile for something you grew. We are blessed.” Linda has also taken the lessons she learned as a child and cans several of the vegetables they harvest. Each week she brings a variety of pickled vegetables including okra and cucumbers, honey, and chow-chow, to the Greenville Market with their fresh items. Frank and Linda would love to meet you! Introduce yourself the next time you are downtown on Wednesday or Saturday morning and pick up your favorite garden-fresh treat. You won’t be sorry! |
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June 2024
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