10/05/2026
October Newsletter 🎃
Hello Friends,
As the seasons begin to change, we wanted to take a moment to share what's been happening here at Heritage Hearts Farm.
The past few months have been full of gardening, preserving, freeze-drying, recipe testing, market days, and more than a few late nights in the kitchen. As always, we're incredibly grateful for your support. Every purchase, kind word, and visit at the market helps make this dream possible.
This month we're celebrating exciting achievements, introducing new products, and sharing one of our favorite recipes featuring a very special hot sauce!
🏆 A Ribbon-Winning Year at the State Fair!
We're excited to share some wonderful news from this year's State Fair competition! (And as subscribers, you get to hear it before everyone else does 😉)
Several of our products were recognized with awards, and we're incredibly honored by the results:
🥇 1st Place - Mango Habanero Hot Sauce (https://www.heritageheartsfarm.com/product/hot-sauce/75?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true)
🥇 1st Place - Catsup (https://www.heritageheartsfarm.com/product/catsup-harvest/128?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true)
🥈 2nd Place - Pepper Jelly (https://www.heritageheartsfarm.com/product/jelly-pepper/77?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true)
🥈 2nd Place - Very Berry Jam (https://www.heritageheartsfarm.com/product/jam-very-berry/83?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true)
🥈 2nd Place - Roja Con Verde Salsa (https://www.heritageheartsfarm.com/product/salsa-roja-con-verde/27?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=true)
Every entry was made right here at Heritage Hearts Farm using the same recipes and attention to detail that go into the products we bring to market each week.
We're especially excited about the two first-place winners, but we're proud of every ribbon earned. These awards are a wonderful reminder that all the hard work spent growing, preserving, and creating quality products is worth it.
Thank you to every customer who has supported us, offered feedback, and encouraged us along the way. These ribbons belong to our entire Heritage Hearts Farm community.
🌶 Recipe of the Month
State Fair Winner Mango Habanero Glazed Pork Tenderloin
This sweet-and-spicy glaze is one of our favorite ways to use our 1st Place Mango Habanero Hot Sauce.
Ingredients
1 pork tenderloin
1 to 2 tablespoons Heritage Hearts Farm Pork Rub Seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup Heritage Hearts Farm Mango Habanero Hot Sauce
2 tablespoons honey
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Pat the pork tenderloin dry and rub with olive oil.
Generously season with Heritage Hearts Farm Pork Rub Seasoning.
Place in a baking dish and roast for 20 minutes.
Mix the Mango Habanero Hot Sauce and honey together.
Brush the glaze over the pork and return to the oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 145°F.
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Serve with roasted sweet potatoes, green beans, or a fall salad for a delicious harvest-season meal.
Tip: The sweet mango balances the habanero heat, creating a flavorful glaze that's family-friendly while still giving spice lovers the kick they're after.
❄️ What's New from the Freeze Dryer?
We've been busy experimenting with new freeze-dried favorites and stocking up for upcoming markets.
Recent additions include:
🍓 Freeze-Dried Raspberries
🍌 Freeze-Dried Bananas
🌽 Freeze-Dried Corn
🥕 Freeze-Dried Vegetables for Soups and Meal Prep
🌶 Freeze-Dried Peppers for Seasonings and Cooking
We're also continuing to develop smoothie ingredients, soup mix components, and other convenient pantry staples that make homemade meals easier. Our soup mixes are now available at the Lynchburg Community Market and at Quarterfield Market in Powhatan. You can also find our fruit snack packs on our shelves at Quarterfield, with our smoothie mixes on the way soon, so keep an eye out for those.
Have a suggestion for something you'd love to see freeze-dried? Let us know at the market!
🍯 Fresh from the Kitchen
This season's batches have included:
Elderberry Syrup (a seasonal favorite)
Mango Habanero Hot Sauce
Roja Con Verde Salsa
Candied Jalapeños
Pasta Sauce
Catsup
With more on the way! As always, products are made in small batches to ensure quality and freshness.
🐾 Around the Farm
Life on the farm never slows down.
Our animals continue to keep things lively, and we're enjoying the beautiful transition into fall. From garden harvests to canning projects and preparing for market weekends, there's always something happening around Heritage Hearts Farm.
Our Muscovy ducks are officially looking more like a flock and less like ducklings!
They've spent the summer exploring the farm, hunting insects, splashing in every bit of water they can find, and growing faster than we imagined. It's been fun watching their personalities develop and seeing how much they enjoy free-ranging around the property.
These ducks were always intended to be part of our farm's food production, and as harvest time approaches, we're reminded how important it is to know where our food comes from. Raising our own animals allows us to ensure they're cared for well throughout their lives while helping us take another step toward a more sustainable and self-sufficient homestead.
For now, we're enjoying these last few weeks of watching the flock patrol the farm and keep us entertained with their daily adventures.
❤️ Customer Favorite Spotlight
Elderberry Syrup
As we move into cooler weather, elderberry syrup becomes one of our most requested products. Every fall, customers start asking the same question:
"Do you have elderberry syrup yet?"
It's one of our most popular seasonal products, and for good reason. Elderberries have long been valued as part of traditional wellness practices and are packed with naturally occurring antioxidants that give them their rich, dark color.
We make our elderberry syrup in small batches and love how versatile it is. Some customers enjoy it by the spoonful, while others stir it into tea or sparkling water for a delicious seasonal treat.
If you've never tried elderberry syrup before, this is the perfect time of year to give it a try and see why so many of our customers come back for it year after year.
📅 Where to Find Us
With farmer market season closing down for the majority of our outdoor markets, you can find us this month at:
• Lynchburg Community Market- every Saturday
(And don't forget to stop by for the Harvest Festival on October 31st!)
• The Best of Virginia Farmer's Market- October 30th from 3:00pm to 7:00pm
• Fall Festival at Sandy River Distillery- October 23rd
Be sure to follow our social media for weekly product availability, special event announcements, and market weather updates.
🌻 Thank You
Every jar, bottle, bag, and handmade product we offer represents hours of work, care, and passion. Supporting our small family farm means more than you know, and we're honored to be part of your homes, kitchens, and family traditions.
Thank you for shopping local and supporting Heritage Hearts Farm.
We look forward to seeing you at the market soon!
With gratitude,
Marcella, Damion & Family
Heritage Hearts Farm
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