Black-Owned Online Food Businesses to Support Now
Woke Up & Made condemns all acts of racial injustice towards Black people everywhere and especially by law enforcement officials who are supposed to protect & serve ALL citizens in our communities. The protests that are taking place across the nation and internationally are the boiling point of a pot of racism that has long been simmering unchecked for over 400 years. Along with calling your Congress person, voting, and donating to relevant organizations, I urge you to support our Black communities right now by placing your money towards goods & services that are owned and operated by the very communities that are being oppressed and killed. Progress doesn’t happen overnight and I know it’s easy to buy products from your local grocery store or through large online retailers, but we all have more time and no excuses right now to form habits of positive social change. Make seeking out and supporting Black-owned businesses one of the many positive changes that comes out of this pandemic. We are ALL in this together.
Sahara Peach Rooibos tea. Image courtesy of Serengeti Teas & Spices.
If you’re a tea lover like I am, you’ll love Serengeti Teas & Spices. They have certified organic unique flavor combinations (like my absolute favorite, Lemongrass Jasmine Green Tea and Sahara Peach Rooibos pictured above), along with herbal blends, and spices from throughout the African continent — all available for purchase online. I had stumbled upon their brick & mortar location in Harlem when I first moved to New York City. It was a hot day and I was parched from walking up and down Manhattan shopping for clothes and checking out different parts of my new city. When I stepped inside Serengeti Teas & Spices with its warm dark wood paneling, calming smells of jasmine & hibiscus teas being steeped, and a faint scent of citrus & honey in the air, a calm came over me. The store owner gave me a sample of their iced Lemongrass Jasmine Green Tea blended with lemon juice and honey and it was exactly what I needed on a hot summer day. I still drink this tea today and even made a virgin margarita out of it. Check them out, and buy some of their teas. You won’t regret it!
Bonbons & Truffles Favor Box. Image courtesy of Harlem Chocolate Factory.
I used to live right around the corner from the brick & mortar location of this lovely woman-owned chocolate shop in the heart of Harlem. Along with traditional handcrafted small-batch chocolate pecan turtles and bark, they have unique truffles & bonbons in flavors like smoked peach caramel, lemon ginger, sweet potato pie, and strawberry chipotle fig…to die for! They also have a beautiful collection of Golden Brownstones which are chocolate bars in the shape of New York City brownstones dusted in gold. A beautiful must-have for the New York lovers out there!
Image courtesy of Muniq, Inc.
If you’re looking for a delicious post-workout or meal replacement shake to help curb cravings and keep blood sugar spikes low, Muniq is the answer. Their target audience are individuals who are ready to take back their health with an emphasis on minority and POC communities — historically marginalized by the healthcare system. When I first tried these shakes, I couldn’t believe how good they were! It tastes like you’re having dessert for breakfast and you don’t even have to feel guilty about it. Muniq has gut health benefits like prebiotic fiber via resistant starch from ingredients like green bananas which help reduce inflammation, control blood sugar levels, aid in digestion, and strengthen immunity — something we all need more of right now!
Image courtesy of Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn.
You may not already know how much you’re missing spirulina dusted popcorn in your life but trust me, you will want to buy large shipments of this stuff. The owner, Azzizah, started the company while she was nursing her newborn and toddler and wanted a healthy alternative to cheese popcorn. I had discovered Azzizah’s Herbal Green Popcorn while standing in line at Erewhon in Fairfax a few years ago. Mesmerized by their colorful branding and bright green popcorn, I decided to try it. It tasted amazing — like cheese popcorn but with a kick of garlic and cayenne along with nutritional yeast. The spirulina gets all over your hands but you can’t put it down. Azzizah’s is a family owned and operated business on a mission to improving people’s health and creating delicious snacks. Check them out!
Pecan pie. Image courtesy of Southern Girl Desserts.
This women-owned bakery delivers a taste of the South right to your door. They have everything from pies & cakes to cookies, cupcakes, and the beloved “puddings & thangs.” With flavors like sweet potato, coconut pecan, and peanut butter chocolate, you’ll want to order a few times from this bakery. Vegan options are also available.
Also, Consider Donating to the Following Organizations:
Black Lives Matter https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Minnesota Freedom Fund https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/
Movement For Black Lives https://m4bl.org/
Black Visions Collective https://www.blackvisionsmn.org/
BLD PWR https://bldpwr.com/about-us
