Harvest Time Foods, a name synonymous with quality food products and community spirit, began its journey in 1981 from humble beginnings. What started as a home operation in a converted carport has blossomed into a company distributing across most states east of the Mississippi and beyond. The story of Harvest Time Foods is a testament to family values, divine inspiration, and a commitment to serving both customers and community.
Our Humble Beginnings: Anne’s Pastry Takes Root
The company’s inception is a heartwarming tale of family collaboration. Bryan Grimes, Jr., his wife Anne, and their son Bryan Grimes, III (B.G.) – then a student at East Carolina University – laid the foundation for Harvest Time Foods in Greenville, North Carolina. Their first product, Anne’s Pastry, packaged frozen dough strips, quickly gained popularity. This innovative product catered to a local culinary tradition in Eastern North Carolina: chicken pastry, a beloved Sunday dinner staple.
Anne Grimes, co-founder of Harvest Time Foods, with the original Anne's Pastry product packaging.
Driven by a belief in divine inspiration, the Grimes family enthusiastically introduced Anne’s Pastry to local supermarkets. Staying true to their values, each package initially included a scripture verse from the Bible, nourishing both body and soul. This practice evolved into printing scripture directly on the packaging, a subtle yet significant reflection of their guiding principles.
The packaging itself evolved from a simple foil box to a more consumer-friendly over wrapped box. A visually appealing red and yellow logo, designed by a Christian graphic artist friend, Marcie Dawson, became the company’s recognizable trademark, instantly associated with Harvest Time Foods.
Word-of-Mouth Success and Product Expansion
The convenience offered by Anne’s Pastry resonated deeply with customers. No longer did they need to spend hours in kitchen preparation and cleaning to enjoy homemade pastry. Word-of-mouth spread rapidly, turning Anne’s Pastry into a kitchen staple throughout North Carolina. The positive reception fueled demand from outside the region, with inquiries pouring in from customers who knew the product by different names: chicken and dumplings, chicken stew, chicken slick, or pot pie.
Recognizing the broader appeal, Harvest Time Foods adapted their product naming to resonate with a wider audience. “Anne’s Dumplings For Chicken (Thin Pastry Strips)” became “Anne’s Flat Dumplings (Thin Pastry Strips),” a more universally understood name. This expansion spurred innovation in recipe development. The versatility of Anne’s dumplings shone through in new recipes for lasagna, casseroles, ravioli, baked crackers, fried sugared pastry, and more, solidifying Harvest Time Foods’ position in the culinary landscape.
Commitment to Quality, Health, and Innovation
Harvest Time Foods consistently prioritizes product quality. They invested in state-of-the-art production lines and cryogenic freezing technology to ensure the finest products reached consumers’ tables. Understanding regional culinary variations, they developed different types of dumplings beyond the traditional flat dumplings of Eastern North Carolina, catering to diverse preferences.
As health consciousness grew among consumers, Harvest Time Foods proactively responded by expanding their product line to include healthier options. Anne’s 100% Organic Flat Dumpling Strips and Anne’s 100% Whole Wheat Flat Dumpling Strips were introduced, demonstrating their commitment to meeting evolving consumer needs. Further innovation led to the development of Anne’s Gluten Free (rice) Flat Dumpling Strips, catering to those with dietary restrictions.
Recognizing concerns around MSG, Harvest Time Foods expanded their popular Anne’s Chicken Base line. Five new paste bases, all MSG-free, were introduced: Anne’s Natural Chicken Base, Anne’s Natural Beef Base, Anne’s Natural Ham Base, Anne’s Organic Chicken Base, and Anne’s Organic Vegetable Base, providing healthier alternatives without compromising on flavor.
Community Partnership and Recognition
Harvest Time Foods’ growth necessitated larger facilities. After outgrowing the carport and two subsequent buildings, they built their current facility outside Ayden, N.C., in 1990, with expansions in 1995, 1998, and 2001. The company’s leadership emphasizes teamwork as crucial to their success, alongside their foundational divine inspiration.
Beyond business success, Harvest Time Foods is deeply committed to community partnership. They have collaborated with numerous feeding programs, extending a helping hand during crises. When Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd devastated North Carolina, Harvest Time Foods provided food and practical assistance. Their compassion extended internationally when Hurricane Mitch struck Honduras; the company sent a Seatrain loaded with 17 tons of food to support mountainous regions.
Harvest Time Foods employees actively engage in community service, volunteering at churches and community fundraisers, preparing Anne’s products for those in need. This hands-on approach reflects their dedication to giving back and supporting their community.
Their commitment to both business excellence and community service has earned Harvest Time Foods significant recognition. In 1992, Entrepreneur Magazine and MasterCard International honored Bryan and Anne Grimes with the Southern Region L.E.A.P. Award for Leadership In Entrepreneurial Achievement and Philanthropy. The Small Business Association of North Carolina named them the 1992 Small Business for North Carolina, followed by the National SBA recognizing them as the Region IV Small Business of the Year.
A Proud North Carolina Tradition and Family Legacy
Harvest Time Foods maintains a strong relationship with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, proudly showcasing Anne’s Old Fashioned Food Products at Flavors of Carolina shows both in-state and beyond. The Goodness Grows logo, signifying locally grown and produced quality, is prominently displayed on all their retail dumpling products. Anne Grimes’ induction into the Goodness Grows Hall of Fame in 1994 further solidified their commitment to local excellence.
B.G. Grimes’s journey with the company mirrors its growth. Working full-time as general manager while attending East Carolina University, he earned his degree in accounting and business in 1987. He married Windy Johnson in 1993 and in 1995, their “miracle baby” Elizabeth Anne Grimes (Beth Anne) was born.
In 1995, Bryan Grimes, Jr., passed the leadership reins to B.G., who assumed the role of president in addition to general manager. Anne Grimes continues to serve as secretary-treasurer, and Windy Grimes as vice president, making it a true family affair. Even young Beth Anne is affectionately considered the “Boss,” symbolizing the ongoing family legacy.
Core Values and Continued Blessings
The Grimes family’s philosophy centers on honesty, integrity, and strong work ethics, values they strive to exemplify for their employees, customers, and vendors. They acknowledge that their success story is intertwined with divine guidance and the dedication of their excellent employees.
Their dedication plaque in the entrance foyer encapsulates their guiding principle: “This building and grounds are dedicated to the glory of God, and we declare that we shall go forth in spirit and truth proclaiming that Jesus is Lord over all that we do, all that we are, and all that we have.”
Update: Community Hero Award (2009) & Gratitude (2012)
In 2009, Harvest Time Foods received the Highest Hero Award from their Chamber of Commerce, recognizing their significant community impact. The Grimes family attributes this recognition to divine guidance. A 2012 update expressed gratitude to loyal customers and new patrons, highlighting Anne Grimes’ enjoyment in sharing recipes at consumer shows and emphasizing the importance of faith during challenging times, while celebrating Elizabeth Anne’s growth as a symbol of God’s miracles.
Harvest Time Foods’ journey from a carport operation to a respected food company is a remarkable story of family, faith, and commitment to quality and community. They continue to innovate, serve, and uphold the values that have been the cornerstone of their success since the beginning of their harvest time foods journey.
