Smile with Sue's Pies & More

Sue Olinger of Sue’s Pies & More became a farmers market vendor after losing her job of 17 years with the Virginia Department of Transportation during their restructuring. While losing one’s job is always scary, this change of events was a blessing in disguise for Olinger and the many loyal customers who love her baked goods. Olinger has been baking full time since April 2010.

As a customer at the Warrenton farmers market, Olinger always thought that she could become a vendor. “I decided to give it a try, so I brought 30 pies to my first market. They sold out in an hour and a half. I thought it was a fluke, so I brought 30 the next week. The same thing happened again. Now, I sell 100 to 200 pies per week, and about 300 over Thanksgiving,” Olinger said.

Olinger offers many different flavors of pies, including apple caramel crunch, triple berry crumble, key lime, and banana black bottom. She also has seasonal pies, such as cherry, peach, and strawberry rhubarb. “I try to make pies with fresh, in-season ingredients, and I try to make flavors that you can’t easily find at a grocery store,” Olinger explained.

Farmers Market Coordinator Phyllis Ingram brought Sue’s Pies & More to Wakefield Market after becoming an instant fan of her products. “I’m not above stealing people from other counties,” Ingram said, “As soon as I tried Sue’s cinnamon rolls at the Dale City Market, I knew that I had to snatch her up. I talked to the market master and connected them and Sue has been with us ever since.”

Being a farmers market vendor has brought a lot of joy to the market for both Olinger and her customers. “I love interacting with all of the people who come out to the market. You meet a lot of people, and when you make pies and cookies, your customers are always happy. Baked goods make for happy people,” Olinger said.

Jen Bell, one of Sue’s Pies & More’s avid fans, is crazy about her banana black bottom pie. “I brought the banana black bottom pie home one week, and my husband and I fell in love. It is to DIE for. He told me that if I don’t bring one home every week, I’m in trouble,” Bell said. Bell loves Sue’s Pies so much, she added, “Anyone who reads this—her pies are delicious, but save one for me!”

Customer Leslie Carlin enjoys Sue’s pineapple coconut pie. “These are great pies, and they’re so fresh. I love the pineapple coconut pie, and I want to try key lime soon,” Carlin said.

Although Olinger recently took a three-week break from the market to welcome a new grandbaby into the family, she has no intentions of going anywhere. “I don’t want to open a store or anything like that. I just want to continue promoting my items through the farmers markets. I love the locations and the people. It’s like having a big, country family,” Olinger said.

Sue’s Pies & More can be found at on Wednesdays, Warrenton Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Herndon on Thursdays, and Dale City on Sunday. If none of these markets are convenient for you, you can contact Sue directly to order pies and other baked goods at (540) 878-1181 or suespiesva@comcast.net.