Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/523050
A sk Jane Riddick-Fries about her role at Feridies and she'll quickly give credit to the rest of her family. "I'm just one of five in the piece of the pie," she explains. "We all play an active role and are here every day." Feridies, formerly known as The Peanut Patch, is one of the original purveyors of Virginia peanuts, a specialty food pioneer with more than 42 years in the business. Jane was younger than five when her parents, Bob and Judy, and uncle and aunt, Bill and Gaynelle, started the company, and it was never assumed that she and her sister Alice would take ownership one day. "We worked in the business as we were growing up as kids and after school. That's kind of how we earned some extra income and knew all aspects of it," Jane recalls. But they were both encouraged to go to college and, as soon as they graduated, Jane and Alice moved away and built independent lives. What began as a sideline in furniture refurbishing evolved into a multi- generational family business embracing the state's favorite snack. BY OLIVIA KINGSLEY Jane Riddick-Fries, Feridies Keeping Virginia Peanuts in the Mix PHOTOS: FERIDIES From left: Ted Fries, Jane Riddick-Fries, Erika Shaffer, Noah Shaffer, Judy Riddick, Alice Shaffer, and Paul Shaffer 52 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com producer profle