Food & Drink | jam business •
By Abbie Lahmers
Family Jam Session A sweet business is borne from purpose and a passion for preserves Owner Debbie Wood explains that the business started slow by design for her son Jason, whose autism makes social interaction a challenge. “We were unsure how well he would handle it, but he seemed to enjoy the social interaction, which is not typical,” Debbie says. “He would high-five the customers and eagerly bag up the purchases, tip his baseball cap, and say, ‘Thank you and enjoy!’ Soon he would ask when
we would sell the jam again.” Debbie knew Jason needed to engage in the outside world in a way that would be meaningful and enjoyable, and the decision for him to run a business peddling fruit preserves was natural – jam on toast is one of Jason’s personal favorites, especially with so many varieties to choose from. Debbie explains, “It helped a great deal with his verbal skills by having choices. He began to use com-
Photos courtesy of We Be Jammin’
You may have driven by Wood Boat and Motor in Warwick before without ever realizing a quaint retail jam joint resides right inside, with a selection as groovy as the Bob Marley song the name nods to. We Be Jammin’ opened six years ago as a popup at spots like Pawtuxet Village Park and Hope Artiste Village for farmers markets, where the labels slowly became a mainstay of top-notch preserved goods.
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SORhodeIsland.com • October 2021
