To celebrate Pride month, we've rounded up 12 of our absolute favorite queer-owned food businesses to highlight.
When we think about ways to support the community during Pride month, donating to organizations such as GLADD, The Trevor Project, and Trans Lifeline is a great ways to make a direct impact. But beyond supporting LGBTQ+ nonprofits, another way to show support is to simply purchase products from queer-owned businesses. Doing so puts money directly into the pockets of LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and it helps them grow their businesses.
Below are 12 of our favorite queer-owned food businesses. From whimsical ice cream to drag hot sauce, these businesses highlight the many facets of the queer food community. So order some treats, invite some friends over, and get snacking! Happy Pride!
1. Diaspora Co., a single-origin heirloom turmeric company that sells fresh, vibrant turmeric all while putting money back into the pockets of the farmers who grow it.
There's turmeric, and then there's Diaspora Co. turmeric. It's made with 100% heirloom seeds and has a bright sunny color and rich flavor unlike anything you've tried. It's freshly milled, a favorite among chefs, and the company is committed to paying farmers a fair price for their turmeric — up to six time the commodity price to be exact. (The company also has heirloom, single-origin cardamom in the works!)
Get 1.75 ounces of Diaspora Co. turmeric for $8.50.
2. Shaquanda's Hot Pepper Sauce, the first drag queen-fronted hot sauce company that's helping to bring queer representation to grocery store shelves.
Shaquanda's Hot Pepper Sauce is one of the best hot sauces around — and the company's mission is to bring more queer representation to grocery store shelves. "It is our dream to bring empathy to grocery store shelves and explore how we can be positively introduced to people across the nation," says company founder Andre Springer (aka Shaquanda). "We are accomplishing this by showing up in markets, being visible in the food product sphere, and letting other people know you can be openly queer and own a food business."
Get a 5-ounce bottle of Shaquanda's Hot Pepper Sauce for $10.
3. City Saucery that makes delicious and inspired tomato sauces — from seaweed marinara to spicy tomato 'nduja.
Brooklyn-based City Saucery specializes in artisanal, small-batch tomato sauces and condiments that can transform the most simple dinner into something special. And they even have a collection of "ugly" sauces made with ugly tomatoes from local farmers to help reduce food waste.
Check out all of City Saucery's tomato sauces — from vegan vodka sauce ($19.99 for two jars) to wild mushroom ragu ($19.99 for two bottles).
4. The Gefilteria, a company that is on a mission to revitalize and reimagine old-world Jewish foods for the new generation.
Gefilteria is on a mission to reimagine Ashkenazi classics for a new generation of consumers — and they are doing it with some seriously delicious gefilte fish. If you've never tried it before, this is the perfect excuse to order some!
Get 1.5 pounds of The Gefilteria's gefilte fish from Grow & Behold for $28.
5. Coolhaus Ice Cream for creative and delicious pints and over-the-top ice cream sandwiches.
6. Pipsnacks, a company specializing in mini popcorn with delicate hulls that are easier on your stomach and teeth.
Popcorn that is gluten-free, non-GMO, whole grain, and adorably tiny — what's not to love?
Get a four-pack Pipcorn popcorn sampler for $20.
7. Cowgirl Creamery for delicious cheeses made with top-quality milk.
Cowgirl Creamery is known for making some of the absolute best cheese and dairy products in the country — from crème fraîche to fromage blanc. Cheese lovers, this is for you.
Get the Classic Cowgirl Collection, which includes three different artisan cheeses, for $70.
8. Big Gay Ice Cream for playful ice cream flavors that are as imaginative as they are delicious.
If you like your ice cream with a side of kitsch, Big Gay Ice Cream is for you. They specialize in unexpected flavor combinations and never take themselves too seriously — all while serving some seriously fun ice cream.
Big Gay Ice Cream is available on Amazon Fresh starting at $6.12 per pint in select cities.
9. 18.21 Bitters, a company that makes bitters with unexpected flavors like hibiscus and grapefruit.
When most people think of bitters, they think of Angostura-types. But 18.21 reimagines the bar staple and adds unique flavors to help take your happy hour to a whole new level.
Get their signature bitters (like chamomile bitters and earl grey bitters) for $9.99.
10. Equator Coffees for high-quality coffees and teas that are served in top restaurants.
Their coffee has even been served at The French Laundry — one of the best restaurants in the world — so you know it's going to be good.
Get 12 ounces of their Equator Blend for $15.50.
11. Sauce and Destroy, makers of crazy good vegan marinara sauce.
Toss this over cooked pasta and you have a quick vegan dinner that's ready in no time.
Get two jars of their vegan marinara for $26.
12. Lick Honest Ice Cream, which makes whimsical ice cream flavors without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Lick Honest Ice Cream is all about using the best ingredients they can find. From roasted beet and fresh mint to Texas sheet cake, their flavors are fun, vibrant, and always fresh.
Get six pints of Lick Honest Ice Cream for $99.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Check out all of BuzzFeed's posts celebrating Pride.
