Frequently Asked Questions

Is my credit card order secure?

1. What is a conserve?

2. What is chutney?

3. How long do your products last?

4. What do you do with Pepper Jelly?

5. What is Speadable Fruit?

Yes, when you've finished shopping and go through the checkout process, you will move into a secure area before your card information is taken. A warning window may pop up to notify you that you are entering this "safe" area. Once you've entered, the page address (URL) will change from http to https, to let you know you are in a secure area. Also, a key or a closed lock will appear in the lower left hand corner of your screen to notify you of this change. You will remain in this secure zone for the entire checkout process.

We use Secure Socket Layers (SSL), the industry standard in transferring information to process your orders. The SSL encrypts, or translates, your order information into a highly indecipherable code, which is processed immediately. 

Since vtharvest.com went live in 1999, there has never been a case of fraud reported by our customers as a result of a credit card purchase made with us.

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2. What is a conserve?

A conserve is simply a "fancy jam" usually made with more than one fruit and it contains RAISINS and NUTS. Some of ours also contain liquors such as rum, amaretto, bourbon and brandy. The "booze" is added at the end and the alcohol burns off, leaving only the flavor. You can still drive a car after consuming our spirited conserves.

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Chutney is a well-seasoned relish made with fruits and spices. They are served as a condiment with meats, fish, poultry and lamb; or simply pour over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers as a simple appetizer. Chutney is a good way to add interest and flavor to dishes without adding any fat. Take a look at the recipe flyer for great ideas on how to use so you can make suggestions to the customers.

Our chutney was marketed under the STOWE HOLLOW KITCHENS brand until September 2001 when our labels were updated. These SAME chutneys are now under the VERMONT HARVEST label but it is still the same product. The only difference is that the package is 8oz instead of 9 oz and the price point is actually lower.

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We don't use additives or preservatives, but the products will last indefinitely until they are opened, but like most canned goods they should be consumed within a year from purchase. Product should be refrigerated after it is opened. They last anywhere from a few weeks to months, but like anything without preservatives, they should be used up within a reasonable amount of time.

After a period of time some of the jellies may crystallize like honey - if that happens the product can be heated in microwave to reverse this crystallization and the product should be fine.

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We don't usually suggest having it on toast in the morning, but there are always a few who like it that way. We suggest it as an appetizer with cream cheese - very simple. See our recipe flyer with great recipes - the Chicken Dudley is wonderful and can be made in minutes!

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Smokin' Garlic Tomato Spread is described as "an appetizer jelly made with no added sugar". Use it much like a pepper jelly. A great way to serve it is to mix equal parts of the spread with cream cheese and mix in a food processor or blender. It only takes a couple minutes and makes a great spread for crackers or veggies.

Diabetics should be able to have this product because it is sweetened only with fruit juice concentrates so they can use it as a fruit exchange. Remember this is NOT A "DIET" jam that used chemical sweeteners such as equal or nutrasweet. Calorie count is similar to the regular jams and conserves but the sweetener is natural fruit juices rather than refined sugar. It is IMPOSSIBLE to make a jam without sugar because there is always natural sugar in the fruit itself. We are sweetening with a fructose based sugar rather than sucrose.

At this time the Smokin' Garlic Tomato Spread is the only product of this type. We are re-evaluating this category and may introduce some breakfast spreads in the future.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to call Vermont Harvest Specialty Foods at 1-800-338-5354 and ask for Patty.

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