Right here in Gainesville, Connie Childs whips up batches of yummy Marthasville Products Cheese Straws, a Southern staple for gatherings.

"(The cheese straws) are not processed. And they are not put through big machinery. And they are not pressed out 1,000 at a time. We do one batch at a time to retain the freshness," Childs said. "The cheese straws are creamed by hand, and everything else is blended; the flour is sifted three times."

Childs’ daughter-in-law Beth Moffett, who also helps with the business, said Childs "hand cranks them, and it truly makes a difference." Husband Ronnie Childs and son Bill Moffett also lend a hand with the family business.

Childs said the cheese straws, which come in original and hot flavors, include basic ingredients, "and that is why they are high in calcium but low in cholesterol. You mix it up, hand crank them out, bake them and after they are cooled, cut them in four inch lengths."

Right now, Marthasville Products only sells commercially to wholesalers and caterers for special events.

"About 45 percent of the business is gift basket companies and corporate gifts, and then the rest is special events, catering, weddings, parties."

The company also offers homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies, that are made from scratch, and peanuts.

The company is up for snack food of the year at the 2008 Flavor of Georgia Contest, but surprisingly it’s the Festive Peanuts, not the cheese straws, that are being considered.

"We use South Georgia peanuts," Childs said. "I know the reason why we were selected is they are great. (The peanuts) are red skin and we keep the skins on them so that we may retain all the protein.

"They are roasted ... it is not a glaze; it’s just a mild coating of cinnamon and a tiny bit of sugar."

Childs, who has owned Marthasville Products for three years now, said the nuts are becoming popular at golf courses.

"Golf courses are buying them because these bags fit in the golfer’s bag and they love them," she said.

This is the second year for the 2008 Flavor of Georgia Contest, which is held in conjunction with Governor’s Ag Day on March 17 and 18.

"We had 160 products that were submitted this year, and it was narrowed down to the group of finalists that will be in Atlanta next Monday and Tuesday," said Jim Daniels, a research associate at the University of Georgia Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development. "Monday afternoon is the official judging of the products ... at which the finalists will be there with samples of their products and the judges will try them all and rate them."

Contestants are judged on flavor, Georgia theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal and originality. Categories include barbecue and hot sauces, confections, natural or organic, meat products, wine, snack foods, jams, jellies and sauces and miscellaneous.

In 2007, the overall winner was Michael Simmons of Bradley Creek Seafood in Savannah for his Low Country Pastry that used Georgia ingredients.

"It (the 2007 Flavor of Georgia) was a wonderful success mainly because from what the participants told us happened as a result of it," Daniels said. "Some people got deals to distribute their product right there during the show; others, as a result of the exposure, had people contact them and say they would like to carry their product."

Winners of the contest are allotted one year to label their product with the Flavor of Georgia seal.

Childs said winning the contest would be a huge boost and Moffett, agrees.

"That would be a step forward and what she is hoping to achieve," Moffett said.

Childs has already experienced true success with her cheese straws.

"We have a friend who is going through chemo and we wanted to do something special for him," she said. "Having heard that while having these treatments everything you eat seems to have a metallic taste we decided to give the gift of cheese straws.

"What a pleasant surprise to know that he liked them so much that he asked to take some to next chemo session to share with others. I guess you could say that our cheese straws are also used for medicinal purposes. Knowing that the cheese flavor comes through in really tough times puts a big smile on my face."