After retiring in 2007 after 34 years of service with Florida Power & Light Company, Rick Blomgren, former Riviera Beach Power Plant general manager, has been full steam ahead making homemade canned goods alongside his wife, Janet, to give back to their local community. Rick first started this endeavor in 1984, making wild blackberry jam while building a house on summer vacations. After moving to Tuckasegee, North Carolina full time in 2008, this effort quickly grew with greater quantities and a wider variety of products, and Rick and his wife decided it was time to use these products to give back to their community.

Their homemade goods include green beans, tomatoes, pickles and freshly made jams and sauces. While the goods were first shared with family and friends, they expanded their reach by donating the goods to their local church, as well as handing them out to local caregivers. “My primary care physician particularly likes my apple butter,” shared Rick.

Produce like the beans, cucumbers, blueberries and tomatoes are homegrown by Rick and his wife, while some of the other produce comes from local farms, orchards and stores. The annual process begins in late March as the different varieties come into season and continues through November. During this time, Rick and his wife put in an estimated 300 hours of work, making around 700 jars of canned foods to distribute at the end of the year.

Outside of this effort, Rick is involved in other activities such as the American Legion, supporting his neighbors and friends with everything from electrical work to computer work. He also volunteers to do repairs at his local church when it’s needed.

Rick is the chapter coordinator for the Blue Ridge Retiree Network and looks forward to continuing to stay connected with his NextEra Energy family for years to come.