ALDERSON, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The Town of Alderson has a new addition to its local offerings. Fruits of Labor Café- located in the same building as the Alderson Visitors Center- celebrated the first day of its soft opening on Tuesday, August 31, 2021.
Owner of Fruits of Labor Tammy Jordan started her business and opened her first commercial kitchen in Dawson 20 years ago. Over the years, she moved her business to Rainelle, where she added a 218-acre farm to provide farm-to-table service and began offering wedding and catering services.
While in Rainelle, Jordan realized that she wanted her café to do more for the community than provide fresh baked goods and coffee. In 2012, Fruits of Labor became nationally certified through the American Culinary Federation and began providing education, certification, training and employment to those in recovery. Jordan also established a youth group prevention program for younger struggling community members.
According to Jordan, her passion to provide these services to multiple communities across the state is the sole reason she expanded into Alderson.
“We wanted to increase our capacity to support those in recovery and reach out to youth as an addiction prevention program,” Jordan explained. “One way to do that is to expand, so now we are expanding into other communities that could benefit from a Fruits of Labor location that is there to support recovery.”
To continue in this mission, Fruits of Labor will soon open a location in Montgomery, as well as in downtown Beckley.
“I think we are living in a time where hope is always welcome,” Jordan said. “Being able to expand and reach more people every single day, it opens up opportunities for the individuals that we are called to serve free of charge but also the ability to provide a safe space within the community so the community can take part of the healing process of those in recovery simply by coming in and dining or buying a loaf of bread. There are so many forms of connection that arm and empower our mission.”
Although the Alderson location is only three days into its soft opening, Jordan says the response has been amazing.
“It’s been fantastic. We are just really grateful to be able to be a part of this new community. We have our team in Rainelle behind the scenes working to make this happen. I am so appreciative of them. It’s also amazing to see our new team here start to grow and form.”
The Alderson location will remain in a soft opening for the first 30 days, layering in different hours and services along the way as they determine what best suits the area.
Customers can stay up to date on the Fruits of Labor Facebook page, where news and information are posted for all locations.
The Alderson location is currently open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.