Kit Bruce

On This Week’s Menu: Local and Seasonal

story by WENDY NILSEN POLLITZER
photos by PAUL NURNBERG

 

If you like to surround yourself with positivity, radiant energy, and healthy vibes, walk into Kit Bruce’s home. Her assorted décor of traditional furnishings and modern art expresses her appreciation of both quality craftsmanship and original ideas. Her chill Pandora music stream echoed beyond the open doors as the cool November air drifted through the house. She escorted me to the comfy couch and introduced the Liberty Puzzle. The wooden jigsaw puzzle was like nothing I’d ever seen. The 450-piece puzzle contained dozens of hand-drawn, “whimsy” pieces intricately cut into the shapes of characters, animals, and geometric designs. They were works of art within art. I took my pen to paper and knew exactly how I was going to start this article. Kit Bruce puts pieces together to create a magical experience for all to enjoy. And that is the Port Royal Farmers Market.

The vendors at the Port Royal Farmers Market are the works of art within art, and they make the market happen every Saturday, 52 weeks a year. Originally from downtown Charleston, Kit grew up surrounded by John’s Island farmers and their acres upon acres of undeveloped land. She cultivated an appreciation for this rich agricultural state, especially for the fertile soil in the Lowcountry and the abundant seafood produced in the waters beyond.

Kit lived in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Louis, before moving to Port Royal. She was fond of the Mt. Pleasant Farmers Market held every Tuesday at Moultrie Middle School on Coleman Boulevard. She got to know many of the vendors and became a valued customer within the farming and seafood purveying communities. When she and Louis moved to Port Royal 15 years ago, they began a discussion with the Town of Port Royal about bringing a similar market to the quaint shrimping village. Kit called Kay Keeler, principal at Port Royal Elementary School, and asked to hold the market under the school’s portico on Tuesdays. They set up tables each week, and the Port Royal Farmers Market began… with five vendors. After some weather obstacles, the market moved to Anchor Park on Paris Avenue before it found its permanent home at the Naval Heritage Park on Ribaut Road, a visible venue to promote its popularity.

One of the market’s first vendors was Jannie Smith, the Queen of breads and pies, famous for her banana nut bread, peaches and cream bread, coconut cream pie, and key lime pie.

“Kit got me started. I was selling seafood for my son. She convinced me to sell my bread, so I brought ten loaves of banana bread. They were sold within one hour. That was 14 years ago,” smiles Jannie.

Two words characterize the market: local and seasonal.

“People want to know where their food is coming from, where it’s grown, who’s catching it, who’s making it. And they want it fresh. They don’t want watermelons in January. Many foodies come to the market every week because they know they will be cooking with the freshest ingredients,” explains Kit.

Captain John Payne has been shrimping for 45 years in local waters and is known for his “Buddy Roe” shrimp. His wife, Maryanne, brings the shrimp fresh to the market when shrimp are in season. She also supports local and seasonal. “We only sell fresh shrimp. We don’t add preservatives like many vendors do. You’ll get the truest flavor of the best Lowcounty shrimp at this market, and we are proud of that,” she says.

Eddie and Terri Ayer with J and J Carolina Kidz agree. “The community coming together has been a highlight for us. The customers want to know where their food is coming from. It’s important to them. And we’ve met some great people here,” Eddie grins.

The Port Royal Farmers Market draws a loyal crowd every week. It’s a community outing dedicated to local, including local live entertainment and sometimes some birds of prey, baby Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, and a skate park as its backdrop. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, live music is on hold until people can congregate safely within close proximity.

Wendy Zara and Dean Moss are two of those loyal customers. “We are at the Farmers Market every week, rain or shine. We get a substantial amount of our weekly food there. We are so grateful to the farmers and vendors that come every week and bring us the constantly changing bounty of their efforts. Also, we are grateful for this wonderful enterprise.”

“This is by far the best Farmers Market in South Carolina. The selection of vendors is wonderful. I come every week when I’m in town,” seconds Terry Stone, another devoted customer.

Jim Rathburn, a pecan grower from Brickyard Point Farms agrees. “We’ve been to other markets in the area. This is the most family-friendly of them all. The customers are more like friends. There is a lot of effort a farmer puts in to sell a product. It makes it all worthwhile when people appreciate that. This market continues to progress, and we’re enjoying every minute.”

Earlier this year, another of the market’s loyal customers, Melina Cunningham, challenged her four children to buy and prepare food purchased from the market for the entire month of January. They used a cookbook given to them at Christmas to help with recipe ideas. They learned to prepare chicken breasts for sandwiches, crepes, and pasta. They made burgers, ribs, and salads with local pecans. They learned from cooking while integrating planning, timing, math, and chemistry skills. And they learned the importance of cooking with sustainable food.

When Kit and Louis are unavailable to attend the market (which is rare unless they are traveling), Terry Guinn assists with vendors and set up.
“There is no easier couple to work with. I’ve been with them for four years and happy to help, especially with all of these great vendors,” she smiles as she helps arrange a beautiful assortment of flowers.

The Port Royal Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. You will find fresh, local, seasonal produce, shrimp, oysters, poultry, beef, pork, eggs, bread and cheese, plants, ferns, camellias, azaleas, citrus trees, and beautiful, fresh-cut flower bouquets. There are also prepared food vendors serving BBQ, dumplings, she-crab soup, crab cakes, paella, coffee, baked goods, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the market never closed. Vendors and customers are equally dedicated to the proper use of masks and social distancing six feet. Keeping everyone safe is a priority for the market.

For more information about vendors and weekly announcements, please visit www.portroyalfarmersmarket.com.

Thank you, Kit, for putting these pieces together to bring us local and seasonal every week. Our community health thanks you as well.