By Garland Pollard
MECHANICSVILLE - While it is no longer made on Hope Farm in Mechanicsville, Virginia, we are still fans of the classic Mrs. Fearnow’s Brunswick Stew brand. A great Virginia recipe, it has the proper ingredients for such a stew. In fact, the only Brunswick Stew that beats it was the Rt. Rev. Joe Pinder’s Brunswick Stew that he made at All Saints Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach. And that was back in the 1970s.
But back to Mrs. Fearnow’s, which is now apparently owned by Bost Distributing after being owned by Castleberry’s. I think it tastes pretty much the same as it ever did. Do others agree?
6 responses so far ↓
1 Joyce Cole // Dec 15, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Hi, Garland! I grew up with this brand. We still eat it but it isn’t quite as good as it used to be. It seems like the vegetables used to be crispier.
2 angela reese // Jan 30, 2011 at 5:04 pm
I have loved this stew for 30+ years. While this is still the best canned brunswick stew on the market, there is a little noticible difference. The veggies dont seem as crisp as I remember as a kid.
3 carol // Aug 7, 2011 at 1:32 pm
I have retired to Fla. from Va. and I grew up eating
Mrs. Fearnow’s stew. I am so disappointed that I can’t find it here. Can anyone tell me if any stores here sell it. I know I can order it on amazon, but
I don’t want the large 20oz. cans, which is all they
sell.
4 Frank // Aug 15, 2011 at 12:18 pm
I, too, grew up with this brand. We first noticed a change around 2007 or 2008. It was redder, more tomatoey, greasy, and far fewer vegetables. We found out that the business had been sold and the stew was no longer made by the Fearnow’s in Hanover Co. Such a huge disappointment. It’s been sold again, we’re told, to a co. in NC. Is it back to its original goodness? Might have to try it again, but I have my doubts. 8/15/2011. Richmond, VA.
5 Lynne // Dec 22, 2011 at 9:14 am
I grew up right there next to Hope farm and it is not the same stew. It is sad to see it sold….It will not be able to be duplicated it is Hanover soil and Hanover tomatoes and vegetables which no one can replace sorry.
6 Paul // Feb 23, 2012 at 6:25 pm
P.O. Box 447
Sanford, NC 27331
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Phone: (919) 775.5931
FAX: (919) 774.1627
E-mail: cstrickland@bostdistributingco.com
Website: shop.BOSTDISTRIBUTINGCOMPANY.COM
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