Livin’ Local
by Nancy Van Patten, Marketing/Food Writer
Deborah Parisa isn’t a native of Georgia, but her marinara sauce is. Parisa’s Marinara is made with Vidalia onions that lend the sauce a touch of sweetness and enhances its silky texture. That’s the kind of attention to detail that make all the local products we sell at Whole Foods Market Johns Creek so unique.
Deborah’s back story is one filled with local love. She’s a native of New York, but since childhood she’d been drawn to coastal Georgia and had taken many family trips to the islands and beaches that ring the shoreline. As an adult she and her husband decided to raise their family in Georgia and bought a home on Saint Simons Island. Once settled, Deborah pulled out her family’s beloved marinara recipe, gave it a Southern accent and began making the sauce in her kitchen to share with family and friends. It was such a hit she decided to take production a step further, and now manufactures her sauce at Manning Farms/Vidalia Valley, owned by Stanley Farms in Vidalia. She was even involved in the label’s design; when she felt that the still life of vegetables on the jar needed another element, she added a bottle of wine wrapped in a brilliant purple scarf that was given to her by a good friend who perished in the September 11th attacks in New York City.
All our Georgia-grown and produced products share a similar story. They range from crops that are grown only in the still red clay of South Georgia to an Italian sauce made by a native New Yorker with Georgia ingredients. Behind each product is a person with great big dreams and ideas. We’re proud to be able to bring these products to you. And this Saturday, from 11 am to 5 pm, we’re going to celebrate Georgia in a big way and teach you how to live local. Our “Livin’ Local” event will feature local farmers such Dick Byne from Byne’s Blueberries; local grassfed beef ranchers from White Oak Pastures; and many local products, among them Jalopy Jelly, Sweet Oven Rolls, Habersham Wine, Sparkman’s Dairy Butter and Atlanta Bee Factory honey. You’ll get to taste, try on and get new recipes. You can pick up a guide to all our local growers and producers titled “31 Days of Livin’ Local,” which will be a handy reference tool. And if you play our “Livin’ Local” game you might win a beautiful basket filled with local products—details will be available at the event. And if sampling and game-playing isn’t enough, you can have your picture taken with one of our local majesties—Miss Vidalia Onion 2010 will be in the store from 11 am to 2 pm, and Miss Georgia Peach 2010 will be in the house from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Deborah Parisa will be here, too. You’ll be able to sample her magnificent sauce and take home recipes and serving tips. Stop by and say “howdy” to one of our newest locals. She may not have been born in Georgia, but we’re mighty glad she found her way home.
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We are so excited to be a part of the locals day at John’s Creek! Thanks for having Jack’s Harvest participate. Heather
Which weekend did/is this taking place? A dated article would be nice.
Hi Patricia–there was a reference to the event date (July 10th) in the last paragraph. We’re sorry if it wasn’t clear. All these great local vendors still have products available in our store. If you have one in particular you’re looking for, call or come in and one of our Team Members would be happy to find it for you. Thanks for posting!