Retail Store Testimonials

I had just moved back into the Riverdale neighbourhood and on a bright sunny Saturday my partner and I hit The Withrow Farmers market. I had just accepted a managers job at the the local butcher shop....The Meat Department. I wanted to get out and explore the hood and see what gems were hiding at the market. I immediately found one. Christine Manning was behind a modest booth. As I approached the table with my partner, Christine 's huge and warm smile captured me. Unaware that she possessed liquid gold under the wasps net that had small crackers laden with her labours of love, I had the garlic onion jam while my partner gobbled back the spicy tomato jam. Instant tastebud rushes for both of us and no words were spoken but mini moans escaped our lips. We agreed that the other must and needed to try the other one. Again not much words left our lips. We knew we were going to be taking a few jars home.
I then noticed how sexy the Manning Canning packaging was. Simple yet striking. Not only did I just taste one of the best jams I had in some time, but the whole look of Manning Canning intrigued me. I put an offer on the table to Christine that she needed to stop by the shop so we could discuss selling her products.
Christine is well known from the farmers market and it was a simple sell that if you missed her at the market, you could get her goodies at The Meat Department. People knew the product well and it was becoming a staple of every fridge.
A chef like myself can stand behind a product when it is effortless to sell. The contents of each jar are simple. Locally grown and picked ingredients throughout their harvest seasons. Christine's family recipes with her own twist and sexy packaging.
Thus began my love affair with Christine and Manning Canning. Always cooking up new ideas and dropping off samples. Asking for my chef advice. Taking her preserving classes and introducing friends to her.
Then the famous Bacon Jam happened. On a whim, i asked Christine to create a bacon jam exclusively for The Meat Department. Gave her the bacon and in one shot she came back to the shop and blew my palate profile off the charts. The bacon Jam is made every few weeks and people place orders for it. It comes in warm and we sample it.....the jars start flying off the shelf. I have customers that hoard it, mail it and have admitted they have an addiction. I have friends requesting it be brought with me whenever we gather. Asking me to post it etc.
Each jar of Manning Canning preserves contains passion and love. You can taste it. When you open a jar and place it on your table it is like you have invited Christine right into your home and she is sharing your meal with you.

Cheryl T, Manager at The Meat Dept