Bradford Collards: A South Carolina Heirloom with Deep Roots

Some vegetables carry more than just flavor—they carry a story. Bradford Collards are one such treasure, and we’re proud to offer them fresh from Bradford Farm, just a short drive from here. These aren’t your average grocery store greens. Bradford Collards are an heirloom variety, steeped in Southern history and cultivated with care to preserve their unmatched taste and cultural significance.

A Taste of the Past, Grown in the Present

The Bradford family name is familiar to many in the South, particularly for their efforts to revive the Bradford Watermelon, a long-lost variety known for its sweetness and thin rind. That same spirit of preservation and reverence for the land extends to their collards.

The Bradford Collard is a traditional, non-hybrid variety that’s been passed down through generations of farmers in South Carolina. Unlike modern commercial collards bred for transport or shelf life, these are grown for one thing only: flavor.

They’re deeply green, tender without being fragile, and offer a rich, almost buttery taste with just the right balance of bitterness. In short, they taste the way collards used to taste—before shortcuts and mass production changed the way we farmed and ate.

From Field to Our Market

We receive our Bradford Collards directly from Bradford Farm, where they’re grown using regenerative practices that honor the land and local ecology. Every leaf is harvested with intention, ensuring peak freshness and nutrient density. When you buy them from our Market, you’re not only bringing home a superior green—you’re supporting a legacy of Southern farming, sustainability, and flavor.

Why They Taste Better

Bradford Collards aren’t rushed to maturity, nor are they engineered to withstand long-distance shipping. As a result, their cell structure remains intact, giving them a tender texture when cooked and a richer flavor profile than commercial varieties. They're high in natural sugars, especially after the first cool nights, which softens their bite and enhances their depth.

They also have a more open leaf and delicate stem, making them easier to clean, chop, and cook quickly—no long simmering required to achieve that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Experience a True Southern Heirloom

If you grew up with a pot of greens simmering on the stove, one bite of Bradford Collards will take you right back. And if you’re discovering collards for the first time, there’s no better introduction.

Visit our Market to pick up a bunch of these locally grown, heritage greens and taste the difference for yourself. Bradford Collards are more than a vegetable—they’re a living piece of South Carolina history.