Feature Story and Photos by Larry H. Oskin
For the past 20 years, Kim’s Cabbage Patch has sold seasonal plants, farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, meats, honey, syrups, sauces, spices, and more. Owners Kim Fielding and partner Suzi Basting described the specialty Farmer’s Market, located on 511 W. Highway 50, Clermont, as filled with success stories, community service events and endless challenges.
Now a new era is beginning. The market was recently sold to Jamie and Dustin Lowe, the owners of Lake Catherine Farm. The transition was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting hosted by the South Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Fielding and Basting have been together for 28 years. Fielding worked in the corporate produce industry for Fresh Point Restaurant Supply, while Basting worked for the Department of Corrections until opening their business.
Fielding notes, “We are so very lucky, inspired and truly thankful to everyone in the Clermont and South Lake communities. Your loyal patronage and kind support are what made our dream a success story! The Lake Catherine Farm team was hand-selected by us as we knew they would carry on our legacy.” Basting adds, “We are thankfully now able to retire and enjoy our lives after working 60 to 90-hour weeks for the past twenty years.”
Jamie and Dustin Lowe have been working on the transition for the past few months. They have a lifelong career and passion for supporting locally grown produce, foods, catering services, community service and hosting special events. The Lowes met while going to the University of Central Florida. While Dustin has been working with the blueberry farm for the past 15 years, Jamie has had a professional career that started with financial management, catering and special events.
Their family blueberry farm has successfully been in business in Groveland for over 100 years going back to his parents and grandparents. Dustin shares, “We are honored and very humbled that Kim and Suzi chose us as their successors!” To help honor the ownership transition, the four of them hired Lindsay Parks Neel Photography to capture all of the best moments of the entire day.
While merging their two business enterprises, the new owners will keep Kim’s Cabbage Patch name and products.
Jamie and Dustin will bring Lake Catherine’s signature soft ice creams to the Cabbage Patch and expand their catering services. They will start to cross-promote both entities. Kim and Suzi will remain for a while to help with the transition.
To learn more about Kim’s Cabbage Patch, visit Kim’s Cabbage Patch website
To learn more about Lake Catherine Blueberries, visit Lake Catherine Blueberries or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lakecatherineblueberries.
