Tom Hampton gained an appreciation for farm-fresh products as a child in the early 70s watching his mother tend a five-acre garden, do her own canning, and create and cook family recipes. But it would be more than 30 years before he would lay the groundwork for Hampton Acres and its all-natural products.
An injury while on duty as an Anderson County Sheriff’s deputy forced Hampton into early retirement in 2003. While deciding what to do next, he became a regular attendee at his daughter’s cheer practice.
“The mothers were talking about the quality of meat in the stores and how bad it was,” Hampton recalled. “My daughter wanted a cow, so we got a cow, processed the meat and sold it, and that’s how it started.”
Hampton heard the same complaints at a birthday party about pimento cheese, which sent him on a search for his mother’s pimento cheese recipe.
Hampton Acres Caviar of the South pimento cheese spread is a staple for the Pelzer, SC farm and the product that got the ball rolling. Flavors include original and jalapeno, and during the summer months, Hampton produces a pimento cheese spread that includes blue crab meat.
Barbecue sauces soon followed – including the farm’s famous Carolina Crack Sauce. Today, Hampton Acres offerings include sauces and ketchups, salsas ‘aka’ Cowboy Caviar, salad dressings, jams and honey, pickles, and mild and hot pickled okra. All products are gluten free and 100% all natural.
A fan favorite is the farm’s Raspberry Jalapeno Jam, Hampton said. He recommends spreading the jam over softened cream cheese and serving with Ritz crackers as an appetizer.
Hampton Acres products are sold at about 30 locally owned markets and specialty retailers around the Upstate, in western North Carolina and north Georgia.
“We try to keep our products in our local stores and help them,” Hampton said.
Anderson County locations where you’ll find Hampton Acres products include Piercetown General Store and Deals Galore in Williamston, The Kitchen Emporium & Gifts in Anderson, and Happy Cow Creamery and Hurricane Creek Farms in Pelzer. And you may find Hampton at an Upstate farmer’s market or two during the season. Go HERE for a complete list of where to buy.
For more information, visit the farm’s website at HamptonAcres.com or follow the farm on Facebook at @hamptongoodness.
Video filmed and edited by Garcia Visuals.
