7 Black-Owned Food Brands We Love

February is Black History Month, and though it’s certainly not the only time to try food brands with roots in the Black community, it is a great moment to highlight them. Sometimes we tend to fall back on the same products we always shop – this month is a perfect time to shake up what’s in our carts and invest in quality items from Black-owned businesses. 

From spicy sauces to sustainably sourced coffee and juicy wines, these food brands deserve a space on your must-try list. We’re sure they’ll become your go-to products this month and beyond.

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1. Hillside Harvest

If you’re ready to step up the spice in your morning eggs or dinnertime rice, grab Hillside Harvest’s hot sauces and marinades. A zesty collection of flavored sauces like Jamaican jerk, pineapple, and sun-kissed tomato bring zip to any meal of the day. 

Founded by Jamaican-born Kamaal Jarrett, whose mission is to blend authentic Caribbean cuisine with traditional American food, the sauces and marinades are a great introduction to exploring island flavors at home. Their website even has a catalog of recipes to get you started.

2. Bell’s Reines

Mother-daughter team Angel and Teneisha make Bell’s Reines gourmet mini cookies in small batches, using high-quality ingredients (they’re even non-GMO certified). There’s something for everyone in their product line of vegan, gluten-free, and original cookies, which come in classic flavors like double chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and lemon.

Plus, the cookies ship nationwide, so they’re the perfect gift to send your favorite cookie lover (which can be yourself). As for the story behind their name? Angel and Teneisha honored their father/grandfather Thomas Roosevelt Bell, Jr. with the name “Bell.” The “Reines” part is French for “queens.” Taste the cookies from this food brand, and we think you’ll see why.

3. A Dozen Cousins

Feel like you’re part of the family with A Dozen Cousins’ convenient pre-made meals and sides. Inspired by Caribbean, Creole, and Latin-American recipes, these easy, shelf-stable packets get a healthy dinner on the table in a flash. Build a quick supper of soup around Cuban black beans, for example, or shortcut your way to a grain bowl with rice cooked in bone broth.

Your purchase of A Dozen Cousins products not only supports a Black-owned food brand, it also promotes the company’s many charitable missions, which include donations to Los Angeles food pantries and nutrition classes for communities in need.

4. Mom Juice Wine

Sometimes mamas need a grownup beverage, are we right? Moms of color Kristin Taylor and Macie Mincey get it. They created Mom Juice Wine, their line of California wines with busy moms in mind. These vinos are just the thing for unwinding after a long day with the kids — but you don’t have to be a mother to savor their lip-smacking Sauvignon Blanc or fruity Cali rosé (as long as you’re 21 or older). 

If you do happen to be a mom, though, you’ll probably enjoy Macie’s podcast OnlyMoms, which features inspiring moms sharing their own stories, both funny and heartfelt. Kick back and sip your Mom Juice as you listen.

5. Chicago French Press

What’ll it be, chocolate blueberry coffee, raspberry jasmine tea, French vanilla hot chocolate? You’ve got dozens of delicious choices when you shop Chicago French Press’ impressive collection of coffees, teas, and hot chocolates. And you can feel good about putting your money toward their ethically sourced, single-origin coffee. Five percent of each retail bag purchased benefits nonprofit organizations for women and youth in vulnerable communities.  

Made in the windy city, these beverages are available in Target stores in the Chicagoland area. Not in the Midwest? Don’t worry, they also ship around the country.

6. Partake Foods

Folks with food allergies will find a friend in Partake Foods, a line of cookies and graham crackers that are free of, well, just about everything. Partake’s boxed treats contain no gluten, peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, or tree nuts. They’re all vegan and non-GMO.

The cookies were born when Black and Asian-American founder Denise Woodard’s daughter was diagnosed with multiple food allergies. In an effort to create something tasty her little one could enjoy, Woodard sought out recipes free of all of the top nine food allergens, and her food brand was born. Even the facility where they’re baked is allergen-free. 

7. Trade Street Jam

When you think “low-sugar,” you might think “low flavor” — but get ready to change your mind. Trade Street Jam’s baking mixes, cocktail elixirs, sauces, and (what else?) jams manage to cut sugar without sacrificing taste. In each of these foods, real fruit shines forth with all its sweetness, nixing the need for tons of added sugar. None of Trade Street’s products contain more than 7 grams of sugar per serving. 

So how does this food brand do it? Founder Ashley Rouse is a trained chef whose innovative experimentation led her to create jams that require minimal sugar, no preservatives, and no pectin. The result: spoonable, small-batch fruity toppings perfect for toast, pancakes, smoothies, and more.   

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