In celebration of Spring & the upcoming Earth Day, all month long we will be highlighting #homegrown; products that are local, small batch, artisan, organic, non GMO, gluten free or fair trade. For our fellow foodies, check out our cultivated list of our favorite must-have products this month:

 

1. Carlino’s Tomato Sauce –  Small batch and made daily, our Carlino’s Marinara sauce IS Mama’s original sauce recipe from over 30 years ago and we have never strayed. The homemade tomato sauce is made from sun-ripened tomatoes and fragrant herbs. Think your nonnie’s sauce in a jar (that is if your nonnie was as good of a cook as our nonnie). If you don’t have time to make your own this is the next best thing.

 

2. Monograno Felicetti Organic Pasta – Monograno Felicetti uses only the best organic raw materials combining the best cereal grains with pure air and pure water of the Trentino region in Italy to create a pasta with exceptional flavor and purity. We also love the simplicity of the packaging that mirrors the simplicity and excellence of the product inside. 

 

3. Just Mayo – This great tasting vegan, non-GMO mayonnaise is thick, creamy, slightly tangy and easily spreadable. It’s ridiculously delicious and better for your body and the planet, a definite game changer for the food industry. The Canadian yellow pea replaces the typical egg ingredient for an honest experience that’s Just Mayo. They even now offer garlic & chipotle flavors a great substitute for your aioli.

 

4. La Esquina Salsas – New York Mexican food with some street-cred, La Esquina creates the most distinct salsa anywhere, combining ripe tomatoes, hot Arbol chili peppers, and tart green tomatillos blended together with smooth, sweet slow-cooked onions and hot Serrano chili peppers. We recommend  that you enjoy these delectably fresh salsas with chips, on tacos, or with any meat dish. Oh did we mention, they are gluten free, non-GMO using minimal ingredients.

 

5. Xochitl Chips – Hand-made from Stone Ground Corn, Xochitl Chips are prepared the Aztec way. These thin, crispy chips are oven-baked, organic, and non-GMO, creating a treat that’s good for your body without sacrificing your taste buds.

 

6. Spruce Hill Preserves – These Philly-based Jam makers craft locally-sourced jams, jellies, fruit butters, and preserves that are short on ingredients but big on flavor (and occasionally bourbon infused). Every product uses chopped or pureed fresh fruit, organic sugar, and all-natural fruit pectin for the best taste.

 

7. PB & Jams – Locally produced from West Philly, PB & Jams specializes in nutritious, hand crafted nut butters using local ingredients. They come in 4 flavors: Classic Peanut, Simply Almond, Cashew, & Hot or Not Peanut Butter. How would we describe them? A spoonful of nut awesomeness with just the right touch of sea salt and local honey. ( + the jars are super cute and small enough that they’re low commitment so you can try them all!)

 

8. Poco Dolce – Handcrafted in small batches in their San Francisco kitchen, Poco Dolce’s chocolates are non-GMO, artisan sweets that are corn syrup free and feature only the finest, all-natural ingredients – from local almonds and organic peanut butter to grey sea salt and California olive oil. Also THEY ARE SO GOOD! We can’t stop eating them! 

 

9. Bespoke Crackers – Bespoke Crackers are all-natural and hand crafted in Colorado. First conceived in a cabin at the edge of the Rocky Mountain foothills, these crackers are sourced with only the most exceptional ingredients. Every batch includes whole-grain oats for good taste and good measure.

 

10. Carlino’s Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Produced from the Carlino Family’s native groves in Abruzzo Italy where Mama & Pop lived for over 40 years. The grove had been passed down through the family for generations and was fully taken over by the Carlino’s cousins after Mama & Pop left for the United States.  This 100% organic olive oil has a superior taste over other oils with a rare acidity level of .01 percent. It ranked 1st place in Parma, Italy’s World Olive Oil Competition, and carries a smooth and subtle nutty, slightly fruity flavoring.

 

11. Hot Cakes – Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery crafts organic, classic American comfort desserts using old-school techniques and baking in small batches. They’re also built on supporting local and organic farming through the creation of their fine, innovative desserts; a sweet tooth’s dream.