J & C Produce and Pies – Hit at local Farmer’s Markets as well as their stand at home

by Steve Dunford

SESSER, IL –  There have been several circles in my life, that brought me in contact with Jim and Carleen Roberts of Sesser.

When I was working my way through college at McDonald’s in West City, I worked with Carleen, as well has her two kids Julie and Craig.  She was one of three “McDonald’s moms from the Sesser area.  Mary Lou Galloway was another one at West City.  When I transferred to West Frankfort to be a shift manager, I worked with Kay Wangler in Sesser.  They served as a mother figure to all of us teenagers that worked there.

Carleen would bring goodies for us kids to eat, especially around Christmas time.  She has made pies for people as long as I can remember.

With my dad being a long time Free Will Baptist preacher, I would run into their family at denominational events as well.  The family has attended Bear Point FWB Church, just west of Sesser-Valier school.  Their children grew up in the church until they moved from the area.

The couple spends the winter in Frostproof, Florida, which several people from Southern Illinois spend there.  Jim always posts pictures of nice crappie, and occasionally some bluegill that he catches down there.  Here in Franklin County, it is not frost proof there.  When we had the freezing rain event last winter, Jim posted a nice mess of fish.  I was a little jealous and my mouth was watering.

After Jim retired from Consolidated Coal north of Sesser, (formerly Inland Steel), along with the couple snowbirding south for the winter, Jim comes back home and plants a huge garden,  He as well,  rents some empty lots in Sesser.  Carleen specializes in fried pies.

Jim was a presenter for the University of Illinois cooperative services in seminars for vegetable farming.  Jim and Carleen attend the West Frankfort Farmers Market since the beginning on Tuesdays, and the Benton Farmers Market at the Civic Center on Thursdays.

Over the years, I have consumed a lot of fried pies.  On most Tuesday’s since I moved to WF, I make the six block trek to the park to consume some fried pies.  From looking at me you can tell I like to eat, and it is a well two bucks spent.

The couple has ran a vegetable stand at their home on the north side of Sesser for years.  I didn’t buy much veggies off of them over the year because I had my own garden.  It is something that I miss since I live in an apartment now.  There is nothing like planting your own food like watching it grow.  Next year, I might do some “Oliver Wendell Douglas farming”

The West Frankfort Farmers Market is every Tuesday from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the park, in the shelter behind the Aquatics Center.  Carleen’s pies go quick.  Next Monday, I will run a story on all the venders and what they have for sale.  The market is well supported.  If you have not been there, check it out.

Danny Thomas, our Song Leader and deacon at Calvary Baptist Church has a saying when someone is a good person, they are one of the good guys or gals.  This fits Jim and Carleen.