While Black History Month may be celebrated in February, grocery shopping is something that most people do year-round. With the end of DEI looming, It’s time for Americans to put their money where their mouth is in the fight against systemic racism — and that starts with rethinking how we shop. While it’s easy to fall into a routine and buy the same brands, visit the same stores, and make the same meals; buying food, kitchenware, and other pantry essentials from Black-owned businesses is one to support the Black community, regardless of the calendar year. Plus, these Black-owned products are high-quality, with delectable taste and careful craftsmanship that you can feel good buying because they are good — not just because they’re Black-owned. Shopping Black-owned businesses is just one of the many ways you can support the Black community, today and every day, and here are 18 Black-owned food brands to get you started.
1. ReMix Waffles
You’ve probably looked at a package of waffle mix and thought there must be a way to make batter without all the added preservatives and artificial ingredients in most mixes. ReMix is your answer to that. Made with only natural ingredients and void of preservatives and added flavors, according to the site, you simply add one large egg, buttermilk or milk and butter or oil to the mix for the fluffiest, most flavorful waffles. The brand also offers a gluten-free mix.
2. EXAU Olive Oil
Created by a husband and wife duo, EXAU Olive Oil was inspired by the “modern culinary needs of Americans and more than 75 years of Calabrian craftsmanship.” These olives are grown and pressed in the couple’s estate in Calabria for a true Italian EVOO that’s full of healthy fat and Mediterranean flavor. Plus, if you feel like you’re constantly running low on olive oil, you can subscribe to get bottles shipped every four months.
3. Pipcorn
Made from heirloom corn, Pipcorn snacks are packed with a bit more nutrition than your standard popcorn, with crackers, popcorn, corn dippers, and cheese balls that are full of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins that you don’t get from your typical corn snacks. And, speaking from personal experience, Pipcorn cheese balls are 10/10.
4. Eric LeGrand Whiskey
This award-winning whiskey brand founded by former football star Eric LeGrand features a remarkable single barrel whiskey that has notes of smooth vanilla, orange peel, soft oak, and a subtle hint of black cherry. Not only is it a delicious whiskey, it’s a great yet approachable bourbon for new drinkers.
In addition to supporting Black-owned businesses, each purchase made gives back to those impacted by paralysis with a donation to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
5. Partake Foods
If you’ve ever experienced a food allergy before, you already know that finding a snack without eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy and other top allergens can be difficult. Enter Partake Foods, which serves up delicious cookies in classic flavors such chocolate chip, birthday cake, triple chocolate, gingersnap and more. Each box of crunchy and soft-baked Partake cookies is vegan, free of the top nine allergens, gluten-free and OU Kosher certified, so everyone cansnack without worry.
6. Love Cork Screw
Love Cork Screw offers a selection of eight vegan wines made from carefully chosen grapes to achieve a balanced wine with complex and intense flavors. The starter six-pack includes three whites (Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Chardonnay) and three reds (Niagara, Cabernet Sauvignon and red table Concord), or you can have up to six bottles shipped four times a year. If you aren’t yet of drinking age, you can still snag adorable merchandise including tumblers, candles, and wine-scented body butter.
7. KimBees
With products dubbed “the most innovative trends in the tea industry,” KimBees sells a variety of green and black teas at an affordable price. Available in bottled, boxed and concentrate options, KimBee’s tea come in sweet and unsweetened versions of flavors including Lemon-Raspberry, Peach-Mango, and Almond. If tea isn’t your thing, KimBees also offers gourmet coffees and homemade peanut brittle.
8. Kyvan
Founded by former NFL player and football star Reggie Kelly, Kyvan specializes in sauces, seasonings, jams and salsas, all made with innovative secret family recipes. The lineup includes Honey Apple Salsa, Honey Apple Butter, Sweet Potato BBQ Sauce and Honey Apple BBQ Sauce for sweet and spicy additions to all your favorite dishes.
9. Karibe
Looking for high-quality kitchen equipment? Karibe has you covered. This black-owned company was founded to highlight the impact of African and Caribbean culture in the home décor industry, from cast-iron skillets to spatulas. Karibe cookware is versatile, long-lasting, and definitely worth the splurge.
10. McBride Sisters
Best known for the Black Girl Magic wine collection, the McBride Sisters have taken the wine world by storm. In addition to a delicious array of wines, rosés, and spritzers, the company’s adorable packaging and unique flavors have made them the largest African-American owned wine company in the U.S.
11. Jones Bar-B-Q
This family business has been making their secret BBQ sauce recipe for over thirty years. Try the original Sweet & Tangy sauce or switch it up and get tropical with the Coconut Pineapple flavor — both sauces pair great with the signature BBQ dry rub.
12. AVEC
Unsatisfied with typical options for drink mixers, friends and founders Denetrias Charlemagne and Alex Doman created mixers that both taste delicious and have significantly less sugar than juices, soda, or ginger beer. Coming in three fun flavors — Yuzu & Lime, Hibiscus & Pomegranate and Fuji Apple & Cardamom — these tiny cans are perfect for an easy happy hour at home, and also yummy enough to drink solo.
13. Iya Foods
Made with bulk ingredients and African Superfoods, Iya’s plant-based foods can be enjoyed by everyone since all products are gluten-free and non-GMO, plus free from preservatives, additives or anything artificial. With four flour options and a variety of baking mixes, Iya Foods makes it easy to eat gluten-free or paleo. And with their newest line of snack crackers, you’ll have no trouble getting your greens and grains in.
14. Cookie Society
I don’t know about you, but a perfect cookie for me means a crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle. That’s exactly what the black-owned business Cookie Society is shipping out—chewy, crispy cookies. Plus, they’re available in eight delicious flavors: Chocolate Chip, Salted Caramel, Banana Pudding, Strawberry Shortcake, Cookies & Cream, M&M, Oatmeal Raisin, and (our personal favorite) Cookie Butter.
15. Golde
Matcha lovers: this is for you. This wellness brand specializes in products chock-full of superfoods to effortlessly boost your daily routine, from morning smoothies to pure matcha and superfood latte blends. Turmeric is their specialty: try the turmeric latte, cacao turmeric, and matcha turmeric latte blends.
16. A Dozen Cousins
This food brand features family recipes inspired by Creole, Caribbean, Latin, and American food. Not only is A Dozen Cousins serving up deliciously flavored beans that are non-GMO and rich in plant protein, but the brand also works to get rid of socio-economic health disparities in the United States.
17. BLK & BOLD
With seven micro-roasted specialty coffee varieties and 13 loose leaf teas, this is a brand you will love for their quality products and their commitment to make a community impact. BLK & Bold pledges 5% of its profits to initiatives that support at-risk youth, and the brand released a digital cookbook to Amazon that donates all of its proceeds to towards the brand’s social impact work.
18. Symphony Chips
Originally founded as a spice blend, Symphony’s vegan, gluten-free, MSG-free, all-natural chips strive to give snackers a gourmet potato chip experience. This family-owned business’ signature spice blend includes all-natural ingredients like mustard, parsley, paprika, and chopped onions for a mouthwatering and harmonious flavor in every chip..