Local Legends: Grandma Brown's Baked Beans
Local Legends: Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans
We’re rockin’ the support for local growers and producers this summer! We’ll be touring our Northeast region, highlighting local products and crops, talking to farmers and artisans, and telling stories on local legends. Join us on our journey! Next up, Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans from Mexico, New York.
In Upstate NY, Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans are a summer staple. The perfect side dish to your hot dog or chicken, it’s almost an expectation! Grandma Brown’s offers original, no nonsense beans; try adding ketchup and mustard, some brown sugar, caramelized onions, and a splash of soy sauce. That’s all it takes to experience the quality of these Oswego County gems.
Grandma Brown’s came about during the Great Depression when Lulu Brown began making large pans of baked beans and selling them in grocery stores. People loved them! So Lulu’s husband, Earl, and her son, Robert, decided to sell them in Oswego NY. Shortly after their start, Earl died, and Robert Whitley joined the company, which became known as Brown-Whitney-Brown, or BWB for short. BWB continued to grow, and soon required a plant where they could process and can the beans.
Grandma Brown’s operates the old-fashioned way. They still use the same logo from 1955, featuring an image of Grandma Brown and her red casserole loaded with beans. They also have no social media profiles and rely solely on word of mouth advertising. With that being said, Grandma Brown has become such a staple in our region that bean lovers talking about them is all they need to thrive. That’s what makes them a local legend! For us, our summer just isn’t summer without enjoying plenty of Grandma Brown’s.
Stop by your local Price Chopper/Market 32 for your Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans or shop with us online!
