RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--To share the excitement of fresh heirloom vegetables with the community and to display some of the most popular heirloom seeds available, the local store known for its home canning expertise, Red Hill General Store bucked the normal shopping center layout and planted a large garden built from recycled wood just outside its front door in The Falls River Town Center in North Raleigh, NC during the month of May.
“Today, Red Hill General Store puts forth an effort to help our community, not only by planting a garden that we can share in and learn from, but also by providing products, such as pressure canners, and advice that will help the people in our community be self-reliable. This giving back to the customers of our store is our way of helping people to save money and become more close-knit with their neighbors in these troubling economic times,” said Tom Largen, Owner of Red Hill General Store.
Red Hill General Store planted over 100 heirloom vegetable plants, which are not readily found in grocery stores. Heirloom seeds have been passed down for generations and each type looks and tastes differently. Tomato breeds like the Charlie Mortgage Lifter tomato, the Cherokee Purple tomato, the Amish Paste tomato, the Matt Cherry tomato, and the Yellow Pear tomato have been favorites of the Southeast United States for generations. There are also California Giant Peppers, Orange Bell Peppers, as well as types of squash planted in the garden for visitors to see and try. Heirloom seeds can be saved year after year and doing this directly protects the biodiversity and security of our food supply.
“Once the vegetables are ripe and ready to eat Red Hill General Store is excited to share them with the community,” said Largen. “These heirloom vegetables are sure to be fresh and delicious. The flavors of the traditional veggies will be remembered by some, but will be a new experience to many others. It does not get more ‘local’ or sustainable than eating and preserving food grown right outside the door.”
Red Hill General Store is considering keeping the garden full of produce for the duration of the growing season and sharing the produce with customers. Tell Red Hill General Store what you think by stopping by and being a part of this exciting project yourself. It will be the effort of both Red Hill General Store and those who shop there that will determine what and how much this garden will provide.