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Felton’s Meat and Produce
Lee Williams, President, and Ed Jackson, Meat Department Manager, have enjoyed their career work with Felton’s Meat and Produce.
FELTON’S MEAT AND PRODUCE
BY CHERYL JOHNSTON
F
elton’s Meat and Produce houses a world of multi-cultural food items inside its 12,000 square foot grocery store at US 92 and Maryland Avenue in Plant City. Today, Lee Williams and his sister Karen Davis, who grew up in the business, manage the family-owned operation established in 1955 by their father Felton. Widely recognized for its impressive meat department, Felton’s feels like the neighborhood butcher shop of yesteryear. Great pricing on fresh, frozen, custom cuts, and smoked meats place this local grocery in a league by itself. Families can enjoy even more savings by ordering 24 hours in advance from four “meat bundles,” priced $55 to $139. Simply view the packages online, call 813-752-1548, receive an e-mail confirmation, and pick up tomorrow. Regular customers have also discovered a treasure trove in Felton’s freshly smoked or fried meats, smoked onsite or deli-ready to become the main dish of your lunch or evening meal. To give your home’s cook a break on extra busy days, stop by Felton’s to make dinner a quick done. The store offers smoked specialties such as ribs, brisket, Boston butt, sausage, picnic hams, pulled
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pork and chicken or its deli-prepared fried pork chops, chicken drumsticks, and wings. When extra large gatherings demand larger quantities, Felton’s will prepare any meat purchased in the store. Folks can also order smoked turkeys 24 hours in advance and four days prior for smoked whole hogs. Of his approximately 90 regular employees’ loyalty to customers, Williams shared: “For big weekends like the Fourth of July, we feel like we’re going home with them to enjoy the foods they buy. It’s the same for Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, too. We’re part of their family, and they’re part of ours.” Of his work with Felton’s since 1957, Meat Department Manager Ed Jackson said, “Everything about this store and the meat business thrills me to death. The people are just like family…You would think I owned it.” In addition to quality meats and competitive pricing, Felton’s also boasts the “largest selection of seasonings on the planet,” including meat seasonings, spices, rubs, and sauces for the at-home chefs and BBQ specialists. The store also offers specialties such as Orale!™ spices/ peppers/herbs, Jarritos fruit beverages,
a variety of rice in 20-pound bags, green and hot boiled peanuts, fresh-made salads, baked beans, potato wedges, and banana pudding. To complement meals, Produce Manager Ron Marshall purchases fruits and fresh vegetables, including ethnic favorites, from local growers and markets as often as possible. “We specialize in fresh greens such as collards, turnip, mustard and kale,” he said, “because they’re a big deal in this area.” Because of Felton’s rich history with the Plant City community, customer service is a priority. Service desk employees, including Anne Heidgerd, enjoy helping shoppers with postage stamp purchases, TECO and Bright House payments, check cashing, Western Union and Orlandi Valuta money orders or transfers, food stamps/EBT/WIC cards and corporate or organizational accounts. Food Safety Manager Frankie Smith Oakley and her husband, Robert, the Hot Deli Manager, credit Williams for
617 North Maryland Avenue Plant City, Florida 33563 (813) 752-1548 www.feltonsmarket.com Hours: Monday - Saturday: 7am - 9pm and Sunday: 7am - 8pm
his leadership. “Lee sets the example and we all try to follow.” Felton’s maintains professional affiliations with the National Grocers Association, the Florida Retail Federation, and the Food Market Institute, among others. Williams offered, “Our very talented people, skilled in their areas of expertise, make Felton’s successful. It’s all about quality, freshness, great prices and positive attitudes.” “We enjoy serving this community,” he continued, “and know that God has incredibly blessed our business and our families. It’s satisfying to give back by helping churches and especially programs for kids in need. We couldn’t do that if customers didn’t support us and are so grateful they do.”