Photo by Shay Allen.
J&S Produce operates out of the Trinity United Methodist Church parking lot along Oxmoor Road.
The waving “produce” banners have returned to Trinity United Methodist Church, and for many Homewood residents, the banners mark the return of friends as well.
After closing for the winter season, J&S Produce, the pop-up produce stand that operates out of Trinity’s parking lot, is back Tuesdays, Thursdays and now Saturdays from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Jason and Sheila Davidson have been operating J&S Produce from the parking lot of Trinity since 2013. Jason Davidson, originally a carpenter, spent decades watching his father sell their family and friends’ produce at a similar stand at Bluff Park UMC. Several years ago, Jason Davidson started selling the Chilton County goods at various locations as well.
Soon after he was invited to set up shop at Trinity, Jason Davidson learned that his stand was popular in Homewood. He said that was where he would stay. At that point, Sheila Davidson, who has a master’s in counseling and background working at DHR, joined her husband and J&S Produce.
“I couldn’t do it without her,” Jason Davidson said.
The Davidsons supply the produce for all of Saw’s restaurants, so Sheila Davidson normally runs the show solo while Jason Davidson makes the rounds to Saw’s BBQ, Saw’s Juke Joint and Saw’s Soul Kitchen, he said.
What the stand lacks in size, it makes up for in loyal customers, and local produce lovers said they are thrilled to welcome the Davidsons back to the neighborhood.
Jimmy Ashworth, who stops by every Thursday to stock up on fresh vegetables and recount his weekly bridge game, said Jason Davidson is “one of the finest men you’ll ever meet.”
Customer Nita Northington gushed about the produce.
“The eggs, organic lettuce and kale, and tomatoes are especially good,” she said. “Oh, and the mushrooms are my favorite.”
Northington said the Davidsons do more than sell produce. To make her argument, she pointed out Jason Davidson chasing her young son around the parking lot.
“Jason is literally playing with my child,” she said.
Sheila Davidson said the couple has received numerous Christmas cards and dinner invitations over the winter months from customers-turned-friends.
“Our customers are truly a blessing to us,” she said.
This year, J&S Produce will offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, honey, eggs and plants. It will also try to bring in more organic goods. There will be another addition this year as well — the Davidsons’ puppy, Kai. Sheila Davidson laughed as she explained that their youngest daughter is headed to college, and Kai is an attempt to ease them into their new role as empty-nesters.
For more information, follow J&S Produce on Facebook.
