Atlantic Association of CBDCs | New Brunswick Association of CBDCs | CBDC Southwest
Success Stories
 Sweet Valley Herbs Inc.
Sweet Valley Herbs Creates ‘Thyme’ For Success
Over the past few years there has been an increased interest in using fresh herbs in the preparation of culinary delights, and this new awareness has caused an added aroma of success to Sweet Valley Herbs Inc. bottom line.
Located on Route 104, in Keswick, NB, approximately 10 minutes outside Fredericton, NB, Sweet Valley Herbs is the brainchild of Anna and Aaron Randall. Aaron, who before starting his company was a gourmet chef for 10 years in the Fredericton area, always tried to use fresh herbs when creating sumptuous dishes for his restaurant clientele.
Since Aaron’s grandfather was into horticulture and operated a greenhouse many years ago in the Marysville, NB area, Aaron spent many Saturday mornings as a young boy at the Boyce Farmer’s Market helping his grandfather sell potted plants that they’d grown for their loyal customers. Today, Sweet Valley Herbs carries on this family tradition by offering their wide array of freshly grown potted herbs to the public at this same marketplace as well as supplying ‘ready to go’ potted plants to well over 150 garden centers across the Maritime provinces.
“It just seemed to be a natural progression to start growing my own selection of herbs,” says Aaron. “I found that often times while preparing dishes for the restaurant, I had trouble getting certain fresh herbs that I wanted to use due to the lack of readily available quantities from our local suppliers. It was then that I realized that if I, as a chef, were having this problem, then so must other culinary experts. I asked myself, “Why not grow your own?” and the idea for Sweet Valley Herbs started to take root in my mind.”
Aaron and Anna have found that once people start incorporating fresh herbs into their cooking regimes, people get hooked on the added taste sensation that comes from using freshly picked seasonings to their dishes. This increased interest has certainly created larger orders from the many garden centers who offer Sweet Valley Herbs for sale to the public, who will in turn replant the well established herb into their own herb gardens.
“Year after year people have experienced growing healthy and hearty herb gardens with our potted herbs. We’ve worked extremely hard to ensure that gardeners of all types can enjoy even the smallest herb garden. We offer 100+ varieties of specialized herbs as well as 20 different kinds of tomato plants through our garden center customers. As well every year we incorporate extra value added products to keep our company on the edge of the ever-changing horticultural industry! The excellent quality of our plants certainly sets us apart from our competition and we take great pride in producing locally grown products to Maritimer’s,” states Aaron.
Both Anna and Aaron are quick to acknowledge that without the help of the CBDC Southwest, their business would have most likely not been as successful as it is today. “I knew Aaron’s plan of operating our own greenhouse was a good one, but we still needed assistance to get our operation going,” says Anna. “Through utilizing the Self-Employed Business program, I was able to focus on the business side of getting our idea up and running instead of always worrying how we’d manage to pay our normal monthly living expenses during our start-up. In 1997, the CBDC assisted us in purchasing large heating units for our initial greenhouse, and then in 2005 we again went back to them for help in our first expansion project. Today we now operate 7 greenhouses, a large potting area, plus have the needed acreage to house our operations. We take great pride and passion in running our business and know first hand how great it feels when you have people who believe in your business as much as you do. Not only believe, but are willing to stand behind your business. Thanks again CBDC!” enthuses Anna. She also noted that they are now in the process of a second expansion of their business.
A true family operation, Anna and Aaron’s children ages, 14, 12, and 10, are very involved in the company. Aaron’s father also works with Aaron every Saturday throughout the season at the Farmer’s Market. Both Anna and Aaron are very grateful for the continued love and support from their family members.
For more information on the wide array of herbs they have to offer, visit their website at www.SweetValleyHerbs.com. When planting your next herb garden, be sure to look for your favorite brand of basil, oregano, or cilantro that bears the growers name of Sweet Valley Herbs. That is one sweet way to ensure that excellent savory dishes are created in your own home!
Marlene Oulton
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