The first time I met Sherri Seifer in Kearney’s GROW Nebraska store, my impression was “oh my, what a hard-working woman!” She had driven in from Paxton, Nebraska and stopped by with several cases of her distinctive blue-labeled jars of deliciousness also known as Rafter 7S. When I met her, she was efficiently refilling the empty spots. I hadn’t worked in the store long when I found out refilling those shelves was something that needs to be done often!
Sherri says she’s been making jelly for years but that made me curious. How long has there been jelly? Who invented it anyway? (It’s a good thing curiosity only kills the cat or I would have been dead long ago!) It turns out it’s been going on for a lot longer than most of us can imagine. In fact, it is believed it dates back to the Crusades in Europe which began in 1095! Returning soldiers brought the process of fruit preservation back from the Middle East! All I can say is thanks, guys!!
Fast forward several centuries. America was rapidly expanding westward and had people to feed! Pioneers needed to grow crops and find ways of preserving food for the harsh winters. Thanks to the likes of Johnny (Appleseed) Chapman, Jerome Smucker (yes, that Smucker) and Dr. Thomas Branwell Welch (yep, that Welch’s) the bland pioneer diet was brightened by the addition of fruit! Precious jars of jelly and jam became a favorite treat in the pantries of the settlers.
Sherri has a remarkable work ethic and a streak of creative entrepreneurship a mile wide. In her first years of jelly making, her jellies were for her own family and gifts for friends. Once she began selling it at Farmer's Markets and craft shows, many folks commented her jellies were the best they had ever tasted and suggested she should sell them in stores, too. After lots of thought and research, her company, Rafter 7S was born.
Rafter 7S is located 30 miles north of Paxton, Nebraska, in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills. It’s in cattle country on a real working ranch where the Seifers work with Sherri’s husband's parents. People often ask “Where does the name Rafter 7S come from?” The name "Rafter 7S" comes from the family’s cattle brand, first registered by husband Dean’s grandfather. You might say the company is closely held with just five on the team! Sherri, Dean and their children Kate, Mara, and Clay, have a true family-owned and operated Nebraska Small Business! It’s a heartwarming story!
Sherri’s specialty is pepper jelly, a relative newcomer in the jelly world. Have you ever tried pepper jelly? Let me tell you something. You need to! The most popular way to serve it is over cream cheese with crackers. But, Sherri also suggests it’s great mixed with sour cream and used as a dip, or as a relish with meats. Another way to add a pop of flavor is to stir some in any salad for a little extra zip.
Oh my gosh, are you ever going to love their website! Jump on over to http://www.rafter7s.com/ and take a look at the recipe page! Your mouth will be watering, I guarantee it! You’ll see that Sherri does pepper jelly like a boss! There are eight varieties available and some are not found anywhere else. Check out her products page for the unusual varieties such as Strawberry Jalapeno and Holiday Habanero. The peppers used in Rafter 7S’s products are all grown locally and every single one is hand-picked!
Try her wild fruit jellies and syrups, too! Both are made with native Nebraska berries hand-picked at the peak of perfect ripeness for the best flavor. Many of Sherri’s customers say her wild plum and wild chokecherry jelly remind of the jellies that their grandma used to make for them. They now purchase it and give to their grandparents as gifts.
I wish you could be here in the GROW stores sometimes. It’s really fun to watch the smile spread over someone’s face at mention of wild plums or chokecherries. It always seems to bring back a happy childhood memory.
Rafter 7S jelly is made the old fashioned way, by Sherri and her kids, in small hand stirred batches. They contain no corn syrup or preservatives. Close your eyes as you bite into that piece of toast loaded with one of Sherri’s wonderful jellies. Savor the down-home flavor and remember the way grandma’s kitchen smelled when it was jelly making time. I think you’ll begin to imagine you are visiting her again at the ranch!
We’re so glad to have Sherri as a GROW member and we love her prominent display and how faithfully she keeps it brimming with those awesome blue jars and bottles! Rafter 7S is a proud member of GROW Nebraska.
You can buy all Rafter 7S’s products in both GROW Nebraska stores: at the Hilltop Mall in Kearney and the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island. Don’t let those jars run out even if you can’t get into one of the stores! You can buy all Sherri’s wonderful products anytime, from anywhere at www.buynebraska.com!
About the Author: Betty Streff is the Coordinator of GROW Nebraska store in Kearney. You can read more about Betty here.
Sherri says she’s been making jelly for years but that made me curious. How long has there been jelly? Who invented it anyway? (It’s a good thing curiosity only kills the cat or I would have been dead long ago!) It turns out it’s been going on for a lot longer than most of us can imagine. In fact, it is believed it dates back to the Crusades in Europe which began in 1095! Returning soldiers brought the process of fruit preservation back from the Middle East! All I can say is thanks, guys!!
Fast forward several centuries. America was rapidly expanding westward and had people to feed! Pioneers needed to grow crops and find ways of preserving food for the harsh winters. Thanks to the likes of Johnny (Appleseed) Chapman, Jerome Smucker (yes, that Smucker) and Dr. Thomas Branwell Welch (yep, that Welch’s) the bland pioneer diet was brightened by the addition of fruit! Precious jars of jelly and jam became a favorite treat in the pantries of the settlers.
Sherri has a remarkable work ethic and a streak of creative entrepreneurship a mile wide. In her first years of jelly making, her jellies were for her own family and gifts for friends. Once she began selling it at Farmer's Markets and craft shows, many folks commented her jellies were the best they had ever tasted and suggested she should sell them in stores, too. After lots of thought and research, her company, Rafter 7S was born.
Rafter 7S is located 30 miles north of Paxton, Nebraska, in the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills. It’s in cattle country on a real working ranch where the Seifers work with Sherri’s husband's parents. People often ask “Where does the name Rafter 7S come from?” The name "Rafter 7S" comes from the family’s cattle brand, first registered by husband Dean’s grandfather. You might say the company is closely held with just five on the team! Sherri, Dean and their children Kate, Mara, and Clay, have a true family-owned and operated Nebraska Small Business! It’s a heartwarming story!
Sherri’s specialty is pepper jelly, a relative newcomer in the jelly world. Have you ever tried pepper jelly? Let me tell you something. You need to! The most popular way to serve it is over cream cheese with crackers. But, Sherri also suggests it’s great mixed with sour cream and used as a dip, or as a relish with meats. Another way to add a pop of flavor is to stir some in any salad for a little extra zip.
Oh my gosh, are you ever going to love their website! Jump on over to http://www.rafter7s.com/ and take a look at the recipe page! Your mouth will be watering, I guarantee it! You’ll see that Sherri does pepper jelly like a boss! There are eight varieties available and some are not found anywhere else. Check out her products page for the unusual varieties such as Strawberry Jalapeno and Holiday Habanero. The peppers used in Rafter 7S’s products are all grown locally and every single one is hand-picked!
Try her wild fruit jellies and syrups, too! Both are made with native Nebraska berries hand-picked at the peak of perfect ripeness for the best flavor. Many of Sherri’s customers say her wild plum and wild chokecherry jelly remind of the jellies that their grandma used to make for them. They now purchase it and give to their grandparents as gifts.
I wish you could be here in the GROW stores sometimes. It’s really fun to watch the smile spread over someone’s face at mention of wild plums or chokecherries. It always seems to bring back a happy childhood memory.
Rafter 7S jelly is made the old fashioned way, by Sherri and her kids, in small hand stirred batches. They contain no corn syrup or preservatives. Close your eyes as you bite into that piece of toast loaded with one of Sherri’s wonderful jellies. Savor the down-home flavor and remember the way grandma’s kitchen smelled when it was jelly making time. I think you’ll begin to imagine you are visiting her again at the ranch!
We’re so glad to have Sherri as a GROW member and we love her prominent display and how faithfully she keeps it brimming with those awesome blue jars and bottles! Rafter 7S is a proud member of GROW Nebraska.
You can buy all Rafter 7S’s products in both GROW Nebraska stores: at the Hilltop Mall in Kearney and the Conestoga Mall in Grand Island. Don’t let those jars run out even if you can’t get into one of the stores! You can buy all Sherri’s wonderful products anytime, from anywhere at www.buynebraska.com!
About the Author: Betty Streff is the Coordinator of GROW Nebraska store in Kearney. You can read more about Betty here.
Comments
Post a Comment