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LANDRUM—Every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, Maria Earley, the owner of Cosmic Candy, has been captivating visitors at the Landrum Farmers Market with freeze-dried fruits, candies, and vegetables. Earley displays her beautifully packaged products at her table, drawing in a steady following of customers with her freeze-dried snacks.

“My journey sort of began online,” says Earley. “I learned about freeze-drying from online and different Facebook groups. Then, I started with the candies last year at the Market, and customers started asking for something healthier, so I began branching out into fruits and vegetables. And they’ve now become more popular than the candy. The two feeze-drying machines at my house stay running all the time.”

Earley’s various freeze-dried candies include gummies, candy corn, and jawbreakers. Her bags of freeze-dried mixed veggies include zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, and tomatoes, and they come either plain or cheese-covered. She also has freeze-dried mixed fruit featuring strawberries, bananas, apples, pineapples, and peaches. For those craving a spicy snack, she also has freeze-dried jalapenos. 

Earley’s freeze-drying process removes up to 98% of the water from food, ensuring longevity and retaining nutritional benefits. With a shelf life of decades, Earley’s products are delicious and practical for various occasions, including holidays, emergency stockpiling, and camping trips.

In addition to her passion for creating tasty treats, Earley is a seasoned professional in the pet care industry, having worked as a dog groomer for thirty years. Along with her husband Jason, she recently opened the BrickHouse Pet Lodge & Grooming in Campobello, providing top-notch care for animals with a newly constructed boarding building on their property.

“I love the Landrum Market,” says Earley. “It’s great being part of a community and getting to know all the people that stop by my table and the other vendors.”

Those interested in experiencing Cosmic Candy’s candies and snacks can find her products at the Landrum Farmers Market and on Facebook.