Discovering NC Agriculture is a year-long series focusing on twelve N.C. grown, raised, caught, and made commodities. Tune in each month to see how an N.C. commodity is grown, harvested, packed for consumer use and more. Learn nutritional value, find fun recipes to try, hear from local chefs who use that product, and other unique commodity facts throughout the series. We look forward to helping you better understand some of our N.C. commodities and how they impact your everyday lives!
A lot of power and variety is packed into one N.C. peanut, and no one knows that better than Lawson Perry, owner of Mackey’s Ferry Peanuts and Gifts in Jamesville. From roasted and salted peanuts to peanut butters, brittle, and clusters, Mackey’s Ferry uses all N.C. grown peanuts to create a variety of delicious products for their consumers.
In 1983, Mackey’s Ferry was started by Merlin and Linda Chesson inside their home kitchen & adjoining country store. “Merlin was a peanut farmer in Jamesville, so his wife Linda had to figure out a way to use those peanuts in the kitchen,” Lawson said. “That’s when Mackey’s Ferry was born!” Over 40 years later, Lawson and her family are honored to be carrying on the legacy and heritage of the company. “My father worked for the original owners as a tender of their peanut farm for nearly 15 years,” Lawson said, “so, for our family to now operate the company is a huge honor and blessing.” Since her parents bought the company in August of 2023, Lawson has taken over many of the day-to-day operations, including facility management, social media, marketing, and sales. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Interpersonal and Organizational Communication with a minor in Business Marketing from East Carolina University, Lawson is living her best life and fully utilizing the skills she learned in college. Lawson’s parents, Rene and Kevin, and brother, Coleman, also work at Mackey’s Ferry in addition to operating their family farm, Perry Family Farms, LLC. “Agriculture is a full-on family operation for us, and we wouldn’t have it any other way,” Lawson said.
All peanuts used in Mackey’s Ferry products are sourced from Severn Peanuts, an extension of Hampton Farms. “We are fully North Carolina through and through,” Lawson said. “We are proud to use peanuts from local farmers and showcase the hard work that they do for our state.” When the peanuts arrive at the Severn Peanut facility, they are stored, cleaned and dried before being picked up by Lawson’s father, Kevin. “They really take care of all the preparation for us,” Lawson said. “So, when the peanuts arrive at our doorstep, all we have to do is put them in a cooler until we are ready to use them.” As soon as the peanuts arrive at Mackey’s Ferry facility in Jamesville, they are placed in a cooler and kept at specific temperatures until use. “We have over 50 products here at Mackey’s Ferry, and our kitchen staff are some of the best workers in the business,” Lawson said. “There is so much you can do with just one little peanut! Each day, our kitchen staff takes the peanuts they need for product out of the cooler and starts work.” Final products are placed in a separate cooler until shipping or purchase.
With over 50 products available, Mackey’s Ferry has something for everyone! For the snack lovers, they have everything from dry roasted and spicy peanuts to trail mix. Anyone with a sweet tooth, however, can enjoy their chocolate dipped clusters, peanut brittle and cookies. “We are very well-known for our peanut brittle and peanut butter, which happen to be my two favorite products,” Lawson said. “We use all natural ingredients to make crunchy, creamy, and unsweetened peanut butter. Trust us, it’s a crowd pleaser!” All products, as stated above, are hand-made and hand-dipped in the kitchen on-site. “Many of our employees are from the Eastern NC community, and have been here for 10 to 15 years, so they fully know these products,” Lawson said. “Our promise, is that once you’ve tried one of our products, you will want to try them all!” Mackey’s Ferry products can be purchased online through their brand-new website, on-site at the facility in Jamesville, or at the gas station off I-95 in Kenly.
So why should you purchase N.C. peanut products from Mackey’s Ferry? Lawson says they are a delicious snack and perfect gift packed with love and pride. “Our products are made with such intention, dedication and pride, that I fully believe shines through in their presentation and taste,” she said. “Our products communicate love, care and enjoyment, which makes a perfect gift for a loved one, or a treat for yourself.” Mackey’s Ferry is a member of our Got to Be NC program as well as the NC Peanut Growers Cooperative. In the future, Lawson hopes to launch even more local products with the company that please customers across North Carolina and teach them all about the importance of our state’s peanut industry. Enjoy some of their products today and remember to thank our state’s peanut farmers when you do!
