At RVA to Go, we are proud supporters of the United States Armed Forces. Growing up with family members reminiscing about their service in World War II, we have always been aware of how hard our servicemen and women work to defend us. As a result, we decided to create a program to give back. You can now send a specially-designed RVA to Go box to a soldier overseas. We're calling it a "Support Our Troops" box. If you know a soldier posted abroad, order a Support Our Troops box and put in his/her name and address. If you do not know someone but want to send a care package anyway, just write “Any Soldier” in the To line and “Any Soldier Lane” as the shipping address. We’ll take it from there. Sending to “Any Soldier”Like ‘Letters to Santa,’ you used to be able to send a care package to ‘Any Soldier’ by labeling the box as such. The military would disperse the boxes accordingly. However, in 2003, for safety reasons, the Department of Defense released a notice in their postal guide saying:
Bummer! Luckily, hundreds of military unit leaders have agreed to participate in gift-giving! We send the packages directly to them, and they disperse them to the folks in their unit who have not gotten a care package in a while. So, you CAN order one of our Support Our Troops boxes and put “Any Soldier,” and we’ll take care of the rest. What’s In the Box?Our ‘Support Our Troops’ boxes are specially designed with the troops in mind. The military and post office have a million rules about what can and cannot be sent; moreover, the troops themselves have provided insights into what they need (and do not need!) Troops often do not have proper kitchens, so the items we send are ready to eat. They also often ask for multiple or batches of the same item since they share with an entire unit, not just one person. Moreover, we have to be careful with snacks that might melt given the temperatures in places like Afghanistan and the Gulf. We selected the items carefully to ensure they include what troops actually want and to ensure they can survive the often long and hot journey. With those restrictions in mind, we have created two options for the Support Our Troops boxes. Our smaller 5-item box includes Carriage House Cheese Straws, Ames' Hot Southern Honey, a Virginia is for Lovers Red Water Bottle, Whitley's "We're Proud of our Troops!" Virginia Peanuts, and Agriberry Agriblend Jam. If you send a 7-item box, we’ll throw in coffee and tea for the whole unit with Rostov's Richmond Blend Tea and Blanchard's RVA Blend Coffee. These items travel well, are heat-tolerant, last a long time, and can be shared with the whole crew. We’re releasing this program now in honor of Veterans’ Day, but it is available year-round. Consider joining us to give a little RVA-style support to some of our nation’s most courageous any time you get the inkling. Note: We are not a non-profit organization, so Support Our Troops box purchases are not eligible for a tax exemption.
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Where did Ukrop's start? In 1937, 22-year-old Joe Ukrop and his father opened Ukrop’s Market on Hull Street in south Richmond after mortgaging their family farm. It truly was a family effort. Joe Ukrop, his wife, and his two sons cared for the business, which eventually grew into a chain of 25 locations throughout Central Virginia. Ukrop's Super Markets became a household name due to their impeccable customer service and a passion for the Richmond community. In fact, Ukrop's was the first chain to have workers walk customers to their cars with their groceries. Seem normal now? It wasn't then! Also, Ukrop's was closed on Sundays to promote having a day to be with your family and with your community. For years they did not carry alcohol to make sure the store was family-friendly and community-oriented. We at RVA to Go always valued Ukrop's dedication to their values even in business and serving the RVA community in their own way. By the 1970s, business was booming. In 1976, Ukrop's Super Markets purchased Dot's Pastry Shop, a bakery headquartered in Richmond. After this purchase, Ukrop's gave people in the local area wider access to baked goods like cakes, cookies, pies, and more. These delicious treats are still available today and a few can even be bought in RVA to Go boxes. In 1984, White House Rolls reached the market. People in the area simply could not get enough. In the early 1990s, Ukrop's opened a production facility with a full kitchen and bakery to keep up with the high demand for their prepared meals and treats. In 2010, the Ukrop's family decided that retail was no longer what the business needed. They decided to sell their retail locations yet keep the Homestyle Foods business intact. The bakery and kitchen still provide over 800 freshly-made meals, sides, desserts, and more to grocery stores throughout the nation. But no one walks you to your car anymore! Where are they today? The Ukrop's family decided to leave the retail business due to the competitive nature of the grocery store market. They knew if they expanded their hours and selection of products - for example, by serving alcohol - they would be better competitors; however, they felt retaining their values and traditions was more important than competing nationally. The Ukrop's family continues to engage in the RVA community and provide people in the local area with freshly-made meals with compassion and they are an RVA staple that we love. Where can I buy my favorite Ukrop's products? Kroger! Ukrop's baked goods, including some of our favorites, are there. If you want to give a few Ukrop's staples as a gift, we have three choices in our RVA to Go Box: Rainbow Cookies, Butter Cookies, and White House Rolls. You can add them to your next RVA to Go order. YUM!
What ignited the spark in you to start your business? Tell us the story of how you and your business idea first met! Well, I never dreamed this beekeeping thing would turn into a business! Once we started in beekeeping and found out how rare of a hobby this is – and how much people love honey and the health benefits of honey – we started to think this would be a good thing to add to the farm. I live on a beef cattle farm, so agriculture is all around me. I am also a nurse, so the health benefits of consuming raw honey were enticing as well. Where did you grow up in Virginia? I grew up in Fauquier County, Virginia and now reside in Orange County.
What are the principles, values, or motto behind your business? What impact do you want to have on the Richmond community? As a beekeeper, I would like to encourage as many people to become interested in the subject and learn more about bees and about how important they are in pollinating our food. Also, I’m interested in educating people on the difference in the honey we buy at the grocery store versus the honey we offer that is natural and raw. What has been your most satisfying moment in business? Hearing people tell me stories about how their allergies have been relieved by consuming honey daily. Another story is one of our own: a horse suffered a severe leg wound, and it was healed without antibiotics or steroids – but just a honey dressing with raw sugar!
Meet Todd Smith, President of Whitley's Peanut Factory... and son of the original founder. Thanks for joining us, Todd! To start with, where does the Whitley name come from anyway? My father was in business with a gentleman whose last name was Whitley. He started that company back in the 1950s, and it was called Whitley Peanut Company. So, when my dad and brother decided to open a new peanut processing company, they went with the name Whitley. It’s a lot more interesting and catchy than Smith!!
At the time they opened, they had only one small batch roaster with three employees cooking and roasting peanuts in the back of the store. Due to the quick growth of the company and high demand for the famous Whitley’s Virginia peanuts, they opened a second location in Williamsburg, VA and a new production facility in Hayes, VA. I’m now the owner of Whitley’s Peanut Factory and am excited for the opportunity to continue my family’s legacy of roasting peanuts to golden perfection. What are the principles, values, or motto behind your business? Ever since my dad started cooking peanuts in our family kitchen, we have never wavered from our mission to maintain the same quality and consistency in all our products. Whitley’s has grown over the years by keeping to this philosophy and building a culture of dedicated employees who value our same vision. Thanks to the Richmond community and beyond, we continue to expand our offerings of great tasting products that they will savor for years to come. What impact do you want to have on the Richmond community? We would love to reach new people in the Richmond community while also developing lifetime relationships with our current customers. What has been your most satisfying moment in business? Just watching the company grow over the course of 30 years. From where we started to where it stands now gives me great joy!
What ignited the spark in you to start your business? Tell us the story of how you and your business idea first met! As a Christmas gift in 2015, I made a Hot Southern Honey (pure, natural Virginia wildflower honey infused with red chili peppers) and packaged it in 8 oz bottles. In February and March of 2016, I started receiving calls from friends exclaiming how much they loved my Hot Southern Honey, how they used it on everything, and how much they wanted more! They kept asking me where they could purchase it. I shrugged off their requests at first and asked them to wait until next Christmas! Into June, the calls kept coming. I realized there was sufficient interest to warrant executing a proof of concept effort. What are the principles, values, or motto behind your business? What impact do you want to have on the Richmond community? I love the energy, fun, and creativity alive and well in the food and beverage scene in Richmond. Much of this is fueled by desire to partake in low profile, locally sourced, healthy, artisan products. In a larger sense, I want to be recognized as “The Sweet Heat of the South,” and I want the complexity of my #sweetheat to influence menu and cocktail choices far and wide. However, it all comes back to Richmond and Virginia, where the concept of Hot Southern Honey drizzled on fried chicken lights faces up! What has been your most satisfying moment in business so far? After spending months getting my product and operation organized and legitimized... then pulling a full all-nighter producing that first large-scale commercial batch... and taking MUCH longer than I anticipated... I had an “ah sh*t” moment where I wondered “what in the world have I gotten myself into?” Yet, as I carried on and announced on the @AmesHotSouthernHoney Facebook page that my #sweetheat was ready and available, my Facebook page lit up like a Christmas tree. It was very affirming, and I was on my way to begin proving the concept. Did you grow up in Richmond? What’s your attachment to the city? What’s your favorite part about Richmond? The first four generations of Russell’s lived in the Shenadoah Valley and then migrated on to Ohio, California, and beyond. 26 years ago, I met my wife in Central Park in NYC. She grew up in Richmond. Coincidentally, a job brought me here and her home - much to the joy of her parents. Apart from the burgeoning food and beverage culture of Richmond, I love its proximity to the Bay (where we have a house), to Tidewater, and to the mountains, where I frequently hike and camp. What’s the most interesting thing you’ve been told people enjoy your Hot Southern Honey on? It is AWESOME on so many things, and I’ve heard some really terrific ideas. Over the holidays, I was at a party. I was introduced to a woman (as Ames, of course), and she asked, “Are you Ames of Ames’ Hot Southern Honey?!” When I confirmed it, her level of excitement bordered on agitation. I asked her the same question, “What’s the best thing you’ve put my Hot Southern Honey on?" To which she practically screamed, “a SPOON!!" Ha! We love that. Thanks so much, Ames, for joining the RVA to Go team and sharing your story!
RVAers... want some #sweetheat? Try an RVA box with it! Want to do something fun with your partner this Valentine's Day (or really... anytime in February?) Here's a few ideas! 1. Food Tours Not only do you get a taste of great food in your area, but you can also experience the true culture of the city. In Richmond, check out Real Richmond Food Tours and River City Food Tours for a unique experience you won't forget. Not in Richmond? Check out Tripadviser, Yelp, or Zomato for options in your area. 2. Brunch Brunch is a lovely option for you and your date. Instead of regular dinner, you can enjoy brunch all day with someone special. If you're in RVA and feel like a day on the town, check out the Jefferson for great food in a great atmosphere. Or, for something slightly less formal, check out Millie's Diner or 821 Cafe. 3. Dinner and a Show This classic date is a fabulous option for a night out and about. Go to your favorite spot or find somewhere new to try and go to the movies or the theatre. In RVA, you can't go wrong with dinner in Carytown and a movie at Byrd Theatre for a lovely evening with someone special. 4. Local Cooking Classes If you're a foodie who wants to try something at home, check out some great cooking classes you're sure to enjoy. After learning all about a new dish, you can take this knowledge home for more memories to come. Places like Sur La Table in RVA offer great options that'll sure impress your loved ones. 5. Visit a Museum and Take a Walk Check out new exhibits and beautiful artwork with the one you love in an art museum. In RVA, you'll love to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) to see incredible pieces of art. When you've finished, take a stroll on the grounds. Need Gift Ideas? Valentine's Day can be tricky, but we've got you covered!
Here at RVAtoGo, we are always open for new offering ideas. Plus we like to change things up every once in awhile based on the season! Check out our new products and tell us what you think! Natural Beard Oil from Tailored Touches
Fuller's All Natural MustardGearhart's Chocolate bars in floral package
Virginia Gentlemen's Bourbon Chipolte Hot sauceToday, we are interviewing Anne F. Geyer, the founder of Agriberry Farm, which makes Agriberry Agriblend Jam. Yum!! Thanks for joining us, Anne! What ignited the spark in you to start your business? Tell us the story of how you and your business idea first met! :-) As a child, my sisters and I looked forward to picking wild berries together each summer and enjoying the fruits of our labors. When my husband and I were in our mid-20s, we worked for University of Maryland and USDA in a berry research program. By chance, we were offered the opportunity to start a farm business for a Tidewater, VA landowner in 1983. As we were deciding what crops to explore, my childhood passion for berries came to mind, along with the emerging awareness of the nutritional power of berries. As our family grew, we realized we wanted to start our own farm to create more of an opportunity for our children. We founded our new farm in 2007, planting blackberries and raspberries on leased land in Hanover County. Over the years, I also began to understand that very few of today’s young people had the chance to work on family farms during their formative years, as so many had in prior generations. One of our primary goals in starting our own farm was to help paying forward our good fortune by providing hands-on employment opportunities for young people on the farm. The intensive, 100% hand labor required to grow and harvest cane berries seemed to be an ideal match. To help launch the new farm, I applied for a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant to set up the business and brand. In 2008, I offered one of the nation’s first all-fruit CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), beginning with with 60 members in the Richmond area. By 2009, I had rented 10 acres in Hanover, planted 12,000 raspberry and blackberry plants, and hired our first young workers from the area. What are the principles, values, or motto behind your business? What impact do you want to have on the Richmond community? The mission of Agriberry Farm is to grow great berries and to be a premier agricultural training opportunity to help inspire a new generation of farmers. The motto of Agriberry Farm is “Cultivate a Taste for Life.” We recognize that in addition to simply growing fruit, a nutrient-rich food crop, we must help inspire our friends and neighbors to learn more about their food supply and the benefits of healthier eating. We feel our role extends to creating a broader appreciation for the benefits of healthy, local eating, and how fruit can enrich uses for fruit across the four seasons cultivates a deeper appreciation for their value. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Sounds like family plays a big role in Agriberry Farms! My husband Chuck and I have worked together at farming for more than 35 years, and now our son Pierson, who holds a Masters in Education, is our Field Supervisor/Trainer and attends the Baltimore Market. Our daughter, Colleen, who has earned three culinary degrees, now helps with the farm’s kitchen products and helps manage our RVA markets. One of my sisters is our bookkeeper and local wholesale manager, while another sister runs the Annapolis area CSA, and a niece and her husband run the Williamsburg area CSA and markets. Did you grow up in Richmond? What's your attachment to the city? I grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York. My husband and I moved to Virginia in the mid-1980s to begin farming, and we settled in Hanover County in 2003 for the excellent schools for our three teenagers. As we became more familiar with Richmond, we realized the growing support in the area for farmers' markets and local food. We also felt there would be a large number of young workers in the area available to provide a quality seasonal labor source. What's your favorite part about Richmond? My favorite part of Richmond is its deep historical roots, followed by the access to the incredible James River. Also, the area is great for bicycling, and support for this is improving every year.
We are super excited to be in Richmond Magazine! Check out the article on RVAtoGo in the January 2016 issue of Richmond Magazine, page 54!
Today, we are interviewing Ann Colby, the manager of Dizzy Byrds, LLC, which makes Willie Byrd Chocolate Sauce. Yum!! Thanks for joining us, Ann! What ignited the spark in you to start your business? tell us the story of how you and your business idea first met! It all started with my Dad’s chocolate sauce. My two daughters and I had been making the sauce for years and giving it away. We kept getting requests for more from friends and teachers. My daughters said why don’t we make the sauce and sell it. I had no idea how to do that, but an article in a magazine explained the process. So we contacted a producer and Voila! Willie Byrd was born. Named for my father, whose nickname was Willie Byrd. What are the principles, values, or motto behind your business? What impact do you want to have on the Richmond community? Our principles and values are based on family and integrity. We strive to maintain the highest standards of quality in our products as well as our business. We are responsive to and available for our customers, before, during and after the sale. We were born and bred in Richmond and we would love to be Richmond’s Own Chocolate Sauce. We certainly think you are! What has been your most satisfying moment in business? When the first jar came off the production line, and we delivered a case to our first customer. Those were two great moments! Wow! You never forget those times. Did you grow up in Richmond? What is your attachment to the city? What's your favorite part about Richmond? Yes, I grew up here and my family is here, and I love Richmond for its old world charm mixed with new and modern elements and its diversity and size… big enough for business, small enough for personality. What in the world brought you out of retirement to make chocolate? At my age, I want all the happiness I can get and chocolate makes me very HAPPY. Thanks, Ann! Good luck making chocolate! YUM!!
For more, read Willie Byrd's About Us page. Or buy an RVA premium gift box with some Willie Byrd Chocolate Sauce today! |