Paw Paw’s Produce

The affectionate name for this business came from a close bond with Harold Fitch and his granddaughter, Candace Fitch. Candace has helped him in the garden since the beginning of the venture three years ago. They have the good fortune of living side by side in the Waco area of Cleveland County.  Their adjoining yards connect to two acres which is under cultivation for growing fruits and vegetables.  They grow onions, cabbage, squash, green beans, okra, sweet bi-color corn, Crowder peas and a few watermelons and cantaloupes.

In the harvest season, this bounty is sold at the Shelby Farmer’s Market in Uptown Shelby on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, and at the satellite market in the Cleveland County Health Department parking lot on Tuesday mornings.  This year a favorite of customers was their hand shelled Crowder peas.

Harold and his wife, Dot, have planted a garden each year since their marriage in 1961.  They started then and they continue today in freezing or canning the nutritious vegetables.  Many of their friends from Buffalo Baptist Church purchase the Fitch’s produce for freezing or canning in their own homes.

Harold says, “When the first advertisements appeared in the local newspaper about the Farmer’s Market, I had a neighbor come and mention to me that he was interested in selling there.  I became interested too and I love to do it.  It is a very satisfying hobby.”

This summer Harold had an interesting call from a prospective customer in Charlotte, NC. She asked, “Mr. Fitch, do you have any blemish-free green beans for sale?”  He replied, “Yes, I am picking some now that are almost blemish free.”  She came to his home and purchased a bushel of green beans.  She confided in him, “Everyone has assured me that they have blemish-free green beans, but you are the only one who actually has them.”  She called back later asking, “Mr. Fitch, do you have any more of those good green beans?”  When assured that he did, she returned from Charlotte and bought an additional bushel of green beans!

Harold says, “I irrigate the plants from a well on the property.  I try to plant in stages—about every two weeks in order to have fresh vegetables all season.”

Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Fitch are parents of granddaughter, Candace, who is a junior at Burns High School where she pitches on the Fast Pitch Softball team.  She also plays for the traveling team, The Sun Devils. Candace’s older, married sister, Samantha Moore, lives in Shreveport. Louisiana.

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Fitch are parents of grandson, Cody.  Cody plays American Legion Baseball for the Shelby team.  A sophomore at Burns High School, Cody also plays for the Burns High School team.

It is a good bet that when these two grandchildren play ball, “Paw Paw” and “Maw Maw Dot” are at the ballgame cheering for them!

Paw Paw’s Produce is located at 2119 Deal Road in Cherryville.  You may reach them by phone at 704 473-9602.