Vendor Spotlight: JamBox

Long before Jason married his wife in 2014, her family had a jam recipe that was passed down her family line. When she was little, her mother started making jam, alongside growing lots of herbs, flowers and fruits in her home garden. After marrying into the family, Jason’s mother-in-law would make her jam for his children (her grandchildren), and one day he finally tried some. “[My mother-in-law] has always been a great cook,” Jason said. “My kids now refuse to eat store bought [jams]. One day [I tried some of her jam] and I couldn’t believe how good it was!” Since then, Jason hasn’t found a jam that has come close to his mother-in-laws in terms of taste and quality. ​

JamBox officially started four years ago after Jason and his wife were sitting at home trying to brainstorm new ideas. As they watched their kids devour a fresh batch of jam, Jason wondered if people would enjoy delicious jams delivered to their homes for them to enjoy. It would allow them to share their incredible jams with others, while also helping out local fruit farmers to sell their products. “We were all stuck in lockdown and it seemed like a good idea,” Jason smiled. “Local farmers were having to find ways to sell their fruit, and we could help. It was a win win, and it worked!” Jason’s wife and mother-in-law gave him the go-ahead to use his background in web design and build a website and give it a try. The business name came from Jason’s wife, who poetically said [to name it], "JamBox. We put your jam in a box and ship it!” with a laugh. 

Initially they started out with five different jam flavours including peach, mixberry, cherry, strawberry and raspberry. Since then they have grown exponentially, now offering around 70 different products and roughly 56 jam flavours. All of their jams are made just outside of London in Bothwell by Jason, his wife and their family. The fruit for their jams is also all local, many of which are freshly handpicked by Jason and his family when possible, or are picked fresh and then frozen to hold them over the winter seasons. “We have partnered with tons of local farmers for a lot of fruits,” Jason explained. “Fruits like raspberries, peaches, plums, blueberries, strawberries, cherries, blackcurrants, haskaps, watermelons, apples, elderberries, saskatoon berries, gooseberries, red peppers and spicy peppers (and more)!” 

JamBox has numerous choices for jams, jelly’s, and compotes, and Jason is happy to explain the different kinds. “Compotes are a lot of fruit and very little sugar, mainly used as dessert toppings or on charcuterie boards,” he said. “Jelly is strained out fruit, so not bits and chunks. And our jams are packed with fruit, bits and pieces in every bite.” JamBox also makes their own maple syrup and honey. Their maple syrup is also available in butter and infused flavours, such as cinnamon, and their honey is made through a joint effort with an incredible neighbour, who has the bee boxes on his property and helps monitor them. “Our honey is pure, raw, and unpasteurized,” Jason explained. “The bees pollinate on flowers right from our own garden and our community of Bothwell.” 

Jason loves coming to the Horton Farmers’ Market, both as a vendor and as a customer. He can often be seen grabbing a local coffee and bite to eat before the market opens, and is always excited to meet new market go-ers and veterans alike. “I have the best time every time I’m there,” Jason said with a big smile. “I’ve met great friends, new businesses to work with, farmers to buy fruit from, and the people have been so welcoming. The Horton Farmers’ Market has so many amazing vendors! When I tell people about it, I always say you can get everything there and the best quality, no doubt - and I love that.” JamBox has happily made the Horton Farmers’ Market their home market, and they will be at the market every chance they get, bringing their large range of local jams, jellies, compotes, maple syrup and honey with them each time. The next time you are wandering the market on a Saturday morning, be on the lookout for JamBoxes incredible selection, and take some time to say hi to Jason and check out all that they have to offer.

Paige Palmer

​Paige is happy to be joining the St. Thomas Economic Development Corporation as their 2024 Summer Marketing Assistant. She is completing her undergraduate degree this summer with a double major in Media and Communications Studies and Thanatology at Western University and King’s University College. She is excited to help to promote local vendors and businesses this summer, and is looking forward to trying all the delicious and unique produce and products at the Horton Farmers’ Market this summer! Outside of work and school she loves spending time learning about nature, animals, and gardening.