Local flavor is Bennett's Creek Farm Market's specialty

By AnnaLisa Michalski

Correspondent

SUFFOLK

Seeing it from the road, you might not guess tiny Bennett's Creek Farm Market has much to offer. But from the landmark cow on its roof to the unique variety of fresh, local fare inside, the little market is a force to be reckoned with.

Bennett's Creek offers the standard items found in most groceries, but its specialties are fresh and local. The deli serves walk-ins breakfast, lunch and dinner. Barbecue ribs and picnic salads are endlessly popular. Shelves are stocked with an array of local-brand meat marinades, rubs and sauces.

The bakery features luscious layer cakes, a staggering assortment of fudge, Bennett's Creek-label fruit preserves and peanut brittle.

At Thanksgiving and Christmas, the market is known for fresh turkeys, hand-cut meats and even full-meal catering. This time of year, fresh steamed crabs are popular.

The market even roasts and cans its own peanuts. In fact, its peanuts and barbecue have won Bennett's Creek many designations in the Pilot's annual Best Of contest.

Whatever you ask for, it's served with a smile. The staff "understands you have to take care of the customer," Jodie Matthews said. "And we're consistent."

For Matthews, Bennett's Creek is a way of life. He literally grew up in the store as the son of its former owners. Today he manages the market for current owners Jim and Martha Shirley.

And what about that cow on the roof? Like the farm market itself, the cow's mascot has a local flavor: it's a relic of Matthews' grandfather's restaurant, which specialized in local milk and ice cream.

AnnaLisa Michalski, churchland-corner@adminmaven.com