Jane Smoake
Al has been making mesquite bean and prickly pear cactus since about 1976. When he became a member of the Socorro Farmer’s Market Association in 1994, he offered them for sale at the local farmer’s market. After Al and Jane were married in 2007, they formed an LLC, A & J Family Farms, LLC, and began to produce and market their jellies. At first there were only the two jellies: mesquite bean and prickly pear cactus jellies. Jane came up with the idea of adding pineapple to our jellies. So we did. Customers began to request chile. So we have developed jellies with chile. Our approach was not to compromise the character of the mesquite bean or prickly pear cactus jellies with any kind of addition. Rather than making jellies based just on green or red chile or jalapeños, we made additions to our base jellies. One customer asked if we ever made pyracantha jelly. We experimented and have made pyracantha jelly on a limited basis. We have also produced and marketed quince jelly. Our quince jelly is seasonal. In the spring of 2010 we plan developing an all natural mint jelly. We have developed syrups that match some of our jellies and jams. All of our base products, mesquite beans, prickly pear tunas, chilies, pyracantha berries, quince, and mint are from New Mexico. We harvest the fruits from natural sources or local gardens, and make the products ourselves in a certified kitchen. We do not add artificial coloring, flavoring, or preservatives. Our products are produced in the kitchen of the Manzanares Street Coffee House in Socorro, NM, Patty Frisch, owner. We are licensed by New Mexico Environmental Department.
