Our state is top producer of this holiday staple

Producing 3.25 million pounds of fruit cake gives you the right to call yourself the Fruitcake Capital of the World. That’s how much of the fruit-and-nut studded treat is produced annually by the Claxton Bakery in Claxton, Georgia.

The company was founded by an Italian immigrant, Savino Tos, in 1910. A long-time employee, Albert Parker bought it in 1945 and his four children have managed it since his death in 1995.

While in other countries fruit cake is eaten year-round, in the U.S. it’s considered a holiday treat. Claxton hires an additional 100 seasonal workers every year to handle the orders.

– Staff report, The Georgia 100