Madison woman starts pickle business

Pickles are a bit of a family tradition for Lauren Thompson who began pickling and canning as a small child with her late mother, Cindy, and late grandmother, Anna. Thompson said it’s something she’s always enjoyed. She keeps her fridge stocked with pickles for her husband, Andrew, as well as for a host of friends who like to eat them during visits. It was her friends who encouraged Thompson to sell them.

After the death of her mother in 2020, Thompson decided to create a pickle business in her mother’s memory. From there, Landslide Pickles was born.

“It always makes me feel close to [my mother] and grandmother when I’m making them,” Thompson said. “My mother and I used attend concerts together all the time and were huge fans of Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac. That last concert we saw together was Stevie Nicks and [my mother’s] favorite song was ‘Landslide.’ It was a no brainer when coming up with my business name.”

Thompson’s pickles are not only fresh, but also local. She works with local famers and other small businesses as much as possible when sourcing ingredients and supplies. Every cucumber, herb and pepper is handpicked.

“I feel my products are different from others by making sure I have all fresh ingredients, everything is hand cut by me, packaged with love and I don’t use artificial crispers or coloring,” Thompson said.

Pickle varieties sold by Thompson include bourbon maple spears and chips, garlic dill spears and chips, spicy Old Bay spears and chips and chipotle spears and chips. They’re available by the quart. In addition to pickles, Thompson also offers fresh baked pickle breads, Pickle De Gallo and pickle party mix, which are all made with Landslide Pickles.

Currently Thompson sells at a variety of events, including farmers’ markets, charity benefits, and livestock and car shows. She also accepts orders via her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/landslidepickles.

Thompson will be at the Madison Farmers’ Market July 6 at Hoover Ridge Park, the Greene Farm and Livestock Show Aug. 2 and the Culpeper Harvest Market Sept. 8.

“My dream is to one day expand and have my own shop or deli to offer my pickles, fresh artisan sandwiches and more,” she said.

When not making or selling pickles, Thompson said she enjoys spending time outside, on the lake with her family and gardening.

“I have many gardens and ponds that I tend to so you can always find me playing in the dirt,” she said. “I love listening to music and dancing no matter the occasion and laughing until my sides hurt with friends. I have known my husband since middle school and we have been best friends most our lives. Our son, Bruce, is the light of my life, biggest cheerleader and partner in all things fun.”

Thompson recently received another honor for her Landslide Pickles. She won the blue ribbon at the Orange County Fair, something her mother won in the same category 30 years ago.

“I am honored to share this award with her and I know she is beaming with joy from heaven,” Thompson said.

For more information about Landslide Pickles, visit facebook.com/landslidepickles or email landslidepickles@yahoo.com.