The County Crackers Story

My family has been in Prince Edward County (The County) since the 1790's and I visited my grandmother and aunts often as a child. I am named after my grandmother Marianna Sanders (nee Cronk --- one of the original United Empire Loyalist families in the County). My husband and I moved here in 1999 because of the growing wine industry and to experience the peace of the County.

I have been a pastry chef/baker/dessert caterer/restauranteur for years and am fond of sweets to a degree, but generally I snack on salty sweet things, so I like crackers a lot! Always in pursuit of great tastes, I thought I might create a slightly nutritious and also a great flavoured cracker. The original biscuit --- the toasted rosemary --- comes from a combination of all the best crackers/biscuits/oatcakes I liked. I added the currant biscuit from a similar recipe for a change of pace.

About the Picture

People often ask me about the folks on the label. This picture has always been a favourite family photo. It shows my grandmother with family and friends at her home in Bloomfield --- she is the one holding flowers in the air!!

My grandfather passed away when my Dad, the littlest guy in the picture, was ten. She supported her three boys by making and selling butter, canning chicken, selling market garden produce; anything to make ends meet. They were a serious family --- Quakers --- so it is great to see a picture that shows they are having a bit of fun.

The County Crackers logo is based on her handwriting. I have some of her recipe books: the package designers, Scout Design, (here in the County) were thrilled to have these to use. The patina on the label is from one of the stained recipe pages.