Jeanine Becker grew up in a big family. One of the first jobs she got as a child was scrubbing pickles by the bushel.
Food preservation was just something she grew up with. After Jeanine got married, she and her husband bought their first house in West Allis right behind State Fair Park. She always wanted to enter something in the Wisconsin State Fair, so she entered jams, jellies and pickled items. She started winning ribbons and enjoyed the experience.
She always gave canned food as gifts, but when friends began to call and ask if they could buy jams and jellies to give to others, Jeanine thought there might be a business opportunity. So, she sent out a few samples to stores, the feedback was good and she got her first order.
Jeanine has been selling her Madam J’s Sticky Fingers jams and jellies since 1998. It’s still a one-person show. Jeanine has since moved out of her home kitchen and into a commercial kitchen in Bay View, but she still does everything by herself. When she isn’t working her regular “9-to-5” job or making her jams and jellies, Jeanine, a master food preserver, teaches food preservation classes out in the community. You’ll find Madam J’s Sticky Fingers jams and jellies at your favorite Outpost.