Pride is so much more than the rainbow-washed grocery products peddled by big corporations. It’s a month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s diversity and commitment to living life most authentically.
For those hoping to show their allyship by supporting queer people directly, consider a purchase from one of these six LGBTQ+-owned small food and beverage businesses. Aside from the universal hardships of starting a company from the ground up, these entrepreneurs have also faced (and overcome!) adversity in their own lives, which they’ve used as motivation for creating iconic sips and eats that are not only delicious in June, but all year long.
City Saucery
Sauce is the boss, at least when it comes from the folks at City Saucery. The Brooklyn-based condiment company specializes in upcycling overripe and oddly-shaped tomatoes that would otherwise go to waste. Instead, they’re the primary ingredients in highlights like its Fancy Ketchup and award-winning Tomato ‘Nduja, which replaces pork fat (a Calabrian recipe staple) with the red fruit to create a spicy, umami-forward spread that can be paired with practically anything (including a vegan cheese, in partnership with another LGBTQ+-owned business, RIND, which ages its products in caves as if they are dairy-based wheels).
Pink House Alchemy
Sip, sip, hooray! That homemade cocktail is about to get a serious upgrade, thanks to Pink House Alchemy’s line of syrups, bitters and shrubs. In fact, the root-, bark-, fruit-, herb- and botanical-based products were actually developed by a team of alchemists who understand the science behind spirit and mixer pairings and the flavors they impart on your palate. And yes, these are initially manufactured in an actual 100-year-old pink house, which makes bottles like lavender syrup and pineapple rosemary shrub not only lip-smacking good, but just plain cool.
Couplet Coffee
Couplet Coffee is so much more than pretty packaging and a mission of inclusivity — it’s a lifestyle. Kick off your mornings with one of the company’s three Peru-derived beans or blends, but also be sure to invest in their merch and equipment. We can’t get over the cow print Mooka Pot that is equal parts adorable and useful for that perfect a.m. brew.
The PB Love Company
It’s no secret that Americans adore peanut butter, which means appropriately titled PB Love Company will find a permanent spot in any legume lover’s pantry. The company has also expanded to include artisanal almond butters with more out-of-the-box flavors like cinnamon, though its classic creamy is what keeps shoppers coming back for more.
Chef Tara’s Spice Mixes
What started as a garlic- and onion-forward seasoning blend that Tara and friends put on practically everything has evolved into a full-fledged range of spices, including steak, taco, herb, chili and barbecue. Best of all, they come in a colorful variety pack that can be easily gifted to the LGBTQ+ amateur cook in your life.
Lagusta’s Luscious
Lagusta’s Luscious sure is sweet — literally — with its impressive array of chocolate-based confections. These include everything from peanut butter caramel bars and strawberry bonbons to maple honeycomb and rosemary sea salt caramels. Needless to say, if you have a sudden hankering for sugar, these will certainly satisfy (and possibly be your dentist’s worst nightmare).