Produce Patch has garden variety of fruits, vegetables

Produce Patch, owned by Tim and Renee Orton, has a garden variety of fruits and vegetables. Pictured, Renee Orton, Krystianna Orton, Timothy Orton, and Debbie Cole.

By Greg Miller
STAR STAFF
gmiller@starhq.com

   Produce Patch, owned by Tim and Renee Orton, has a garden variety of fruits and vegetables.
   "We've got green Vidalia onions, leaf lettuce, and half-runner beans" said Renee Orton. "We've still got Naval oranges from Florida. We've got Stayman Winesap apples, New York cabbage, white sweet potatoes and red sweet potatoes."
   In addition to the Stayman Winesap, other varieties of apples include York, Cameo, Granny Smith, Golden and Red Delicious, Gala, Red Rome, Red and Golden Utah, two varieties of pears, and Idaho and Russett potatoes,
   "When the local stuff comes in, I'll buy all local, because I want to keep it local," Orton said. "The spring stuff will probably start coming in probably about May. We'll start getting cabbage, peas, all kinds of beans, half-runners, squash, cucumbers, German Pink tomatoes and Mr. Stripey tomatoes." Produce Patch also has other tomatoes (including vine ripened from Florida, green tomatoes and yellow tomatoes), broccoli, cauliflower, lemons, pears, grapes, baby carrots, onions, onion sets and seed potatoes.
   Milk, eggs, cheese, pork loin, bacon, Hostess hams, bread, cornmeal, pickled beets, a variety of jellies and jams (including sugar free), and local honey made by Ruth Miller are among the items available at Produce Patch.
   Produce Patch also has a large variety of candies. "We've got orange slices, chocolate cream drops, chocolate-covered raisins, chocolate-covered peanuts, caramel cream and strawberry cream candies.
   Produce Patch has a variety of Watkins products, including pie fillings, flavorings, liniments, etc.
   Currently located at 1357 Highway 19-E, Orton plans to move the business to 1441 Highway 19-E by May.
   The Ortons' daughter, Krystianna, 10, and the couple's son, Timothy, 14, also help with the business. "They're real good workers," Orton said.
   The Ortons purchased the business last August. "We want to thank you for your business and for coming back after you found out we bought it," Orton said. "Our goal is to provide our customers with the freshest and lowest prices on produce and to provide a courteous and friendly atmosphere."
   Produce Patch, which sells both wholesale and retail, is currently open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Later, Orton plans to open at 8 a.m. seven days a week and close at 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and close at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
   For more information, call 543-3663.