44 Women-Founded Food Businesses We Love to Shop From

Founder Shiza Shahdid believes in the power of home cooking to bring people together. And with that belief, she created Our Place and the cult-favorite Always Pan — a single pan that promises to replace eight traditional pieces of cookware — to make home cooking and creating a welcoming table setting a little more seamless. Currently offered in five core colors that will bring joy to everything you cook, the Always Pan 2.0 keeps your kitchen uncluttered and dirty dishes to a minimum, so you can save all your energy for the important stuff: sharing meals with people you love.

Jeni Britton Bauer is a pioneer of artisan ice cream and the founder and creative genius behind Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams. With an aim to bring people together and "make sparks fly" through "REALLY" great ice cream, Jeni's collection includes unconventional flavors like Everything Bagel and ones you already know will taste amazing like Skillet Cinnamon Roll. Drawn from flavors you love, but ones you didn't know you could have in a pint, Jeni's ice creams will take you somewhere special no matter which one you dig into.

When long-lost sisters Robin and Andréa McBride met in 2005, they bonded over their love of wine. Today, they own the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States, McBride Sister's Wine Company. Order the delectable rose and their award-winning SHE CAN Collection, which supports the SHE CAN Professional Development Fund. The fund aims to promote the professional advancement of Black women in the wine industry — thereby helping to close the gender and race gap — by providing fund-awarded scholarships.

At Vosges Haut-Chocolat, eating chocolate is more than a moment of guilty pleasure, it's a way to open up your mind, expand your palette, and interact with the world around you in a more loving and caring way. The woman-founded business is known for adding a spiritual and alchemical element to each and every one of their chocolate truffle boxes, promising fans a snacking experience unlike any other. Their Exotic Truffles Collection is a perfect example of that. Inspired by food from around the world, each box comes with a book with guided tasting notes and truffle pairings.

Ellen Marie Bennett noticed a big problem in the restaurant industry: Chef aprons couldn't withstand the kitchen. And thus, Hedley & Bennett was born. The apron brand specializes in sturdy, tough aprons and smocks in fun fabrics and with pockets galore. The brand has also expanded into other kitchen product categories, offering staples such as knives, cutting boards, pot holders and more.

Jing Gao is behind Fly By Jing, a Sichuan condiment company named after herself, and the "flies," or soulful, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that are so popular in her hometown of Chengdu that they "attract people like flies." Jing's signature sauces include Sichuan Chili Crisp, Chengdu Crunch and Zhong Sauce, all of which are not necessarily traditional, but her personal takes on the famous Chinese condiments. Within her sauces, Jing says, you'll find her story. Each one is versatile — add to noodles, pizza, ice cream and anywhere you'd drizzle hot sauce over for an electrifying, one-of-a-kind zing.

Summer and Kam Johnson started keeping bees and harvesting honey to help with their son Zach's allergies. In just a few years, what began as a home project grew into a buzzing family business. Today, Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm offers an array of infused, raw wildflower honey. Wildflower With Lavender brings calm to sweets and teas; Wildflower With Ginger Root adds a zing to any cold remedy. The farm also sells bee pollen and honeycomb. Believe us when we say this is truly some of the best honey you'll ever taste. You don't know what good honey is until you've tasted Zach and Zoe's.

This Insta-famous, artisanal olive oil and vinegar company Brightland started as a California dream. Aishwarya Iyer uses olives and fruits from local, family-run farms in the Golden State to create products like Lucid, a lemon olive oil and Rapture, a balsamic vinegar made with California grapes and blackberries. Dip fresh bread cubes into any combination of the oils and vinegars for an appetizer from the heavens.

Founded by Kat Nouri, Stasher bags are the (very pretty!) answer to ditching single-use plastic zip bags for good. You can use them for just about anything, from snacks on the go to leftovers in the freezer to toiletries for travel and so much more. The bags are available in a variety of sizes, too, including half-gallon, quart, sandwich, snack, pocket and more.

The modern, super-sleek kitchen line, Material, was co-founded by Eunice Byun in 2018. Their designs are simple and high-quality, made for anyone looking to beautify their cooking space without sacrificing function. Plus, Material strives for sustainability where possible in all of their products, so you can feel good about adding them to your cabinets.

Founded by Sarah Kauss, S'well is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastic water bottles with a stylish, insulated alternative. The sleek water canteens come in so many trendy patterns, styles and colors, from marble to metallic. The company has recently expanded to salad bowls and meal prep containers.

Named affectionately after her grandmother Estelle, also known as "Big Mama," Stephanie Summerson Hall's company, Estelle Colored Glass, offers a modern revival of vintage-colored glasses. Inspired by the antique shop "treasure hunts" she embarked on with her grandmother, Hall brings to life dazzling colored glassware — delicate cake stands, drinking glasses, decanters and more. The pieces are best described as "jewels for your table" and will no doubt be the crowning glory of any spread.

Despite the limitless amounts of tea blends out there, it will always be difficult to find one that feels and tastes exactly how you want it to. CEO and founder Anney Norton has experienced settling for a cup of tea far too often, and decided to dream up a way to create your very own, unique blend of tea to achieve that just-right cup. Now at Dream Tea NYC, customers can customize every aspect of their blend from the base and flavor to the color of the tin. You can even personalize the tin with a custom name, perfect for gifting. The company prides itself on sourcing the best USDA organic ingredients to expertly blend your tea in just under two weeks, guaranteeing loose-leaf and tea sachet lovers alike the perfect, timely cup every time.

Nguyen Coffee Supply is the first Vietnamese American-owned importer and roaster of green coffee beans from Vietnam in New York. Based in Brooklyn, Sahra Nguyen roasts organic beans that are proudly sourced from farmers in Vietnam's famous Central Highlands. Nguyen is aiming to change the coffee culture in the U.S. — and bring true Vietnamese coffee directly to consumers. The company offers bold and beautiful blends of robusta and arabica beans that will have you making Vietnamese coffee, in all its styles (including mixed with condensed milk), in no time. Grab a phin filter to brew your coffee the traditional Vietnamese way, while you're at it!

Who knew tuna in a can could be so chic? Leave it to founders Caroline Goldfarb and Becca Millstein of Fishwife to turn this American pantry staple into something stylish — and something you can feel good about. Named after the daughters and wives of fishermen who sold fish at markets, and later after "brash, foul-mouthed and brassy" women, Fishwife boasts ethically sourced, premium and delicious seafood in convenient and beautiful packaging. Try the company's Smoked Atlantic Salmon in salmon cakes or Albacore Tuna with tomato toast. From there, we're sure you'll find dozens of other excuses to crack these tins open. Not convinced yet? This starter pack even includes a tin of a brand new, unreleased tinned seafood product that's releasing next month.

In Farsi, Maazah means flavor. And the Sajadys are big fans of flavor. The mother and three-daughter team created a company dedicated to Afghan-style chutneys, a versatile condiment that can come in a variety of forms. Some are chunky; some are smooth. Some sweet, savory, tangy or spicy. Maazah's current offerings are a play on Mom's "Magic Green Sauce," a cilantro and ginger chutney with secret herbs added in. It's simple, yet addictive plus gluten-free and vegan.

Sana Javeri Kadri is decolonizing the spice trade. Through Diaspora Co., Javeri Kadri is bringing sustainable, heirloom seed-grown spices from farmers straight to you. By closing the gap between source and consumer — skipping the long line of middlemen — the company is building a more equitable spice trade, and equipping cooks with fresher spices that shine with flavor most of us have been missing. Take the brand's black peppercorn, for instance. Described as akin to a "beautiful red wine," with notes of chocolate, jam, fig and a "feisty citrusy finish," Diaspora Co.'s Aranya Pepper is so good it's worth savoring, rather than being blithely employed. With all the dishes pepper is added to, just think of how much better everything you already eat will taste.

Founded by Eileen Avezzano in 1974, Eileen's Special Cheesecake is a New York City institution. Decades later, the bakery is now run by Avezzano's daughters, Holly Maloney and Bonnie Ponte, and still thriving. Born from a signature family recipe, one might argue that Eileen's light, creamy, perfectly balanced sweet-tangy cakes are the ideal that all others should aspire to. Anyone who just doesn't like cheesecake will surely be converted after a single bite. Not convinced? Try them for yourself. And luckily with nationwide shipping, these heavenly slices don't have to be reserved for New Yorkers.

Mambo sauce aims to provide a sweet and tangy sauce for wings and just about anything else. Growing up in Washington D.C., Arsha Jones loved mambo sauce, the city's signature condiment. So, when she moved to the suburbs, she founded her own company, Capital City Co., to bring the sauce she was missing to her family and the masses.

Maeve is a woman-owned and powered business that strives to make the world kinder and much more delicious — and it's definitely succeeding, if you ask us. Owner and CEO Jean Thompson works to make incredible chocolates, improve the lives of cacao farmers, support young girls through Girls Inc. and empower customers to give back with their purchases. The company even started using compostable packaging for its truffles in 2020 and is currently in the process of transitioning its chocolate bar packaging to fully recyclable paper. Seattle Chocolate truly has something for everyone, including vegan and gluten-free options.

Jeanne Chan and Gloria Wong Tritasavit are co-founders (and cousins) of the San Francisco-based, Asian American-, women-owned business Harlow & Grey: a line of modern partyware and lifestyle goods that are affordable for all. After finding much success in their own respective careers in content creation, apparel design and event design, Jeanne and Gloria joined forces to create this brand, and it's been picking up speed ever since. You can find their selection of plates, napkins, cups and more through their websites as well as at various boutiques and stores across the country.

Monica Sunny grew up sipping chai, a ritual woven into her family’s daily ritual. In an effort to instill the same ritual, family chai time, in her three boys, she began creating The Chai Box — a company that sells various blends of teas and spices, inspired by different regions of India. From an ode to traditional masala chai to one that smells of mangoes to another speckled with rose petals, Sunny's wide range of blends will bring you comfort in a cup, no matter what you're craving.

Merve Aydin Doran's family has been producing olive oil in Turkey for generations, so it's no wonder she goes through a bottle a week. Each bottle of Oleamea olive oil is made using local olives cultivated through organic farming practices, and the whole process is fueled through solar energy. To introduce your kitchen to these oils, we recommend starting with the gift pack to give the everyday oil and private select bottle a try.

One bite into these handmade, small-batch cookies, and you're transported to Maui. Started in 2012 by Mitzi Toro, aka The Maui Cookie Lady, these super-thick, chunky slices of Hawaiian heaven include local flavors like Salted Caramel Bliss, White Chunk Mac Nut and Pineapple Passion with Hibiscus Flower & White Tea. They're available for delivery throughout the country; the only issue you’ll have is deciding how many to order.

Milene Jardine draws inspiration for her artisanal sweets from around the world, including a Taiwanese-inspired black plum and a Norwegian-influenced beer and cloudberry. Royals, politicians and celebrities enjoy her chocolates, and you can, too. Order Milene Jardine chocolate online, which ships nationwide.

What in the world is granola butter? Think of it, as Oat Haus calls it, "nut butter's more interesting, less-nutty cousin." While reintroducing nuts back into her diet and coming across some difficulties, founder Ali Bonar opted to create her own nut-free, oat-based butter. And now? Oat Haus offers a range of flavors — from good ole Original to Cookies & Cream, Vanilla and Brownie Batter — that are good enough to drizzle, slather or dunk into wherever boring old nut butter would go.

Mississippi's first and only meadery, Queen's Reward, is bringing a bit of sweetness to the South. What began as a hobby for Jeri Carter turned into a love affair with the honey-based wine. Her award-winning bottles, which can be shipped nationwide, come in many varieties.

After years of working in the notoriously grueling fashion industry, Lisa Li needed to find more moments of Zen. During a transformative trip to Shangri-La with her mom, Li tried a rose tea the locals drink, and in it found a "whole new floral paradise universe." Now, Li aims to bring you your well-deserved, daily dose of calm and comfort in a sensorial experience with The Qi's blooming flower teas.

We don't know about you, but we definitely scream for ice cream, especially Noona's Ice Cream. Hannah Bae started Noona's, meaning 'big sister' in Korean, to give ice cream lovers culturally diverse flavors including Strawberry Yuzu Dreamsicle and Black Sesame. As their website mentions, "Diversity is delicious!"

Canned cocktails are all the rage, and Phreshly brings fresh flavors to the mix in fun, sophisticated cans. This proudly Black-owned business sources fruits and herbs from minority-owned farms for the brand's bourbon Bay Lemonade and gin G’iddem cans.

Let's face it, you can never have too many condiments in your kitchen. Created by chef and cookbook author Chitra Agrawal, Brooklyn Delhi channels her Indian roots to make slammin' sauces like Tomato Achaar, Spicy Mango Chutney and delicious curries like Golden Coconut Curry.

There are 1,200 licensed cheesemakers in Wisconsin, and just 60 of them are women. Marieke Penterma is one of those women, and she creates traditional Dutch Gouda cheese at Marieke Gouda. On top of crafting award-winning cheeses, she makes sure every leadership role in her company is filled by a woman.

Thirty years ago, Marygrace Sexton took it upon herself to bring her husband Bobby Sexton's dream to fruition. Bobby ran his family's fourth-generation Florida citrus packing house but was too busy to produce freshly squeezed orange juice. So Marygrace, with the knowledge and access to what makes a good Florida orange, began an orange juice business herself. You probably recognize the simple design and clear bottles of Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Company, named after Marygrace's eldest daughter. And if you've had a sip of the family-operated company's OJ, you already know it’s some of the best on the market. If you haven't? Grab a bottle immediately!

Move over LaCroix, a new sparkling water has emerged on the scene. Made by Nicole Bernard Dawes, founder of Late July Organic Snacks, Nixie features unique flavors such as Watermelon Mint, Black Cherry Lime, Lime Ginger and Strawberry Hibiscus. The best part? They also added a line of zero-sugar sodas, featuring flavors like Classic Cola and Ginger Ale.

Jenelle Manzi's energy bar promises a natural boost that doesn't taste like birdseed (phew). Nor does it come with a sugar crash. Created by the veteran New York City Ballet dancer, who sought healthy performance fuel while battling food allergies, Get Golden is a gluten-free, kosher and vegan pick-me-up. Nuts and seeds are held together with homemade Turmeric Coconut Butter "Caramel" to make for a salty-sweet, chewy bar.

Pip's uses heirloom kernels, which when popped, result in tinier popcorn pieces than what you might be used to. The salty, addictive kernels quickly became one of our favorite snacks and one of Oprah's favorites, too. The family-owned business, run by Jen Martin, Teresa Tsou and Jeff Martin, sources its heirloom kernels from family-run farms that practice sustainable farming methods. Available for order throughout the country.

With celebrity fans including Oprah and Meghan Markle, Clevr is a favorite brand among health-conscious shoppers. The Super Latte blends boast a combination of adaptogens, mushrooms and probiotics and claim to help relieve stress, boost immunity and put you in a better mood. Look for coffee shop-inspired flavors like Match, Chai and Mocha, in addition to a Sleepytime blend.

Make sure to check with your doctor or a healthcare provider before consuming functional foods like this one.

Paro is a pantry line bringing South Asian comfort food to your home kitchen. Founder Umaimah Sharwani drew on her Pakistani-American heritage to launch goods that showcase the healthy, flavorful meals she grew up eating. "When I left home for college and then to New York to start my career, my mom would send me little ziplock bags with her own special lentil and spice mix. All I had to do was add water, cook for 30 minutes and I had my mom's food — my comfort food," she says.

Sonya Vega Auvray traded in a 17-year career as a fashion PR executive for a foray into the spirits industry. Auvray was inspired by her Mexican roots to create a modern take on small-batch mezcal by making it organic, less smoky and triple distilling it. She launched Doña Vega in November 2019, and it's one of the few nationally distributed mezcal brands that's both owned and produced by an all-woman team. The producers are based in Oaxaca and include a mother and her three daughters, who are proud fifth-generation Mezcaleras. The two expressions include Espadin Capon, a super smooth mezcal with a light smoke flavor profile that's underscored by fruit and a white pepper finish. Tobala is a flavor journey with every sip, with tasting notes ranging from vanilla to coconut, nougat to toasted oak, and possesses a long, smooth finish. Keep checking their website to see when these spirits are back in stock.

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 really difficult. Enter Partake Foods. Featuring iconic flavors like carrot cake, chocolate chip, birthday cake, triple chocolate, gingersnap and more, each box of crunchy and soft-baked Partake cookies are vegan, free of the top eight allergens, gluten-free and OU Kosher certified, so everyone from the littlest cookie fan to the biggest can snack without worry. The brand has expanded its offerings to allergen-free pizza dough, baking mixes and more.

Alissa Miky turns satisfying your sweet tooth into a mind-boggling, luxury experience with Misaky Tokyo. These Japanese candies look like crystal jewels, but when you bite into them? They're surprisingly soft and chewy inside. To top it off, the vibrant treats are packaged in emerald-green boxes that will make you feel like you're plucking from a million-dollar jewelry box.

Hawa Hassan is the author of the cookbook In Bibi’s Kitchen and the founder of Basbaas Foods, a company bringing African-inspired sauces and condiments to your table. Hassan's small-batch jars hit all the right notes — sweet, salty, acidic, spicy, savory — and they're super versatile, too. Basbaas' Coconut Cilantro Chutney will brighten seared chicken or fish with just a simple drizzle or serve as a great base for salad dressing. Meanwhile, the company's Tamarind Date Sauce is the perfect marriage of heat and sweet for any of your dipping or spreading needs. Basbaas Foods will be restocking these products in no time.

If you're a frequent tea drinker, it can be difficult to find something that truly stands out. But when you give Riddle's Tea Shoppe a try, we promise you'll feel like you're stepping into a fabled land — one where everything from comfort to adventure can be divined from a simple blend of tea leaves, fruit, cocoa nibs and shimmery orbs of sugar. Riddle's offers a ton of fun blends (many inspired by fantastic tales like Harry Potter), each as delicious as the next. To start, go for Sequel Support, an impossibly sweet mix of cinnamon, cocoa nibs, natural banana flavor and black tea. Add that to a line of teas perfect for any reader, featuring flavors like Book Hangover (hazelnut) and Cauldron Cakes — and it's easy to see what makes this tea shop so special. Since it's a small business, flavors do go out of stock sometimes, but you can reach out via e-mail or sign up to be notified when they're available again. Whatever you choose, it's sure to be worth the wait — and pure magic from the very first sip.

When Turkish consultant Ilay came to New York, she'd ask her friends at social gatherings, "Excuse me, where's the labneh?" to which her friends would reply, "Well, I don't know about labneh, but we have some hummus." That's why she created Bezi—to satisfy her labneh cravings. Labneh is a Middle Eastern spreadable cheese that can be used like cream cheese, as a dip or even a topping. You can sample Bezi's Plain flavor, or spice things up with Red Pepper, Everything or Hot Honey.