Consider one of these N.C. food gifts to buy in-store or order online for family, friends, hosts and more.
Written by Ayn-Monique Klahre

It’s the perfect trifecta: Support a local business, pass along a thoughtful gift and eat yummy food. When you buy a local food gift from someone in the Triangle area (and a little beyond), you’re giving back to our community in the most delicious way possible. Whether you want to order a N.C. food gift online to send to out-of-state friends and family, or are just looking for local gift shops to pick up a quick hostess gift, we’ve got you covered. From cookies and coffee to nut butters and barbecue sauce, you can create your own edible arrangements with these items. 

Angus Barn 
Swing by the Angus Barn Country Store (9401 Glenwood Ave.) to pick up their beloved pies or the cheese crock. Good news: They’re open whenever the restaurant’s open—until 10 p.m. every single night—for any last-minute shoppers out there and have lots of host gift ideas.
angusbarn.com

Apiopolis
This nonprofit operates bee sanctuaries all over Raleigh, and sells the sweet rewards to support its mission. They don’t sell online, but you can pick up jars of honey at 42 & Lawrence (134 E. Martin St.), Escazu (936 N. Blount St.), and Wine Authorities (211 E. Franklin St.).
apiopolis.com

The Apothecary’s Kitchen
Made in Cary just from October through January, this peppermint bark—made with fair trade chocolate, a thin layer of white chocolate and organic candy canes—has gotten written up in the likes of Bon Appetit and Martha Stewart magazine. Find it online or at Sola Coffee (7705 Lead Mine Road) or Yellow Dog Bread Company (219 E. Franklin St.)
the-apothecarys-kitchen.myshopify.com

Bald Man Barbeque
Based in Wake Forest, this company launched its product this year to include a Rub, Back Rub and Mop Sauce for retail. Buy them individually online, or look for them at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road) or The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road).
baldmanbbq.com

Bella Bean Organics
Started by chef Jamie Dement, this online farmers’ market offers all local goods from produce to pantry items that can be shipped around the Southeast. One gift basket that’s likely perfect for someone on your list: A selection of grass-fed meats.
bellabeanorganics.com

Big Spoon Roasters
Big Spoon Roasters offers more flavors of peanut, cashew and almond butter than you would have thought possible, plus jams and bars and their gift sets online come in earthy, attractive packaging. They even offer a monthly PB&J subscription!
bigspoonroasters.com

Botanist & Barrel
Ship individual bottles or up to a case of cider at a time from this Cedar Grove-based cidery, including popular Arkansas Black and Honey Made Me Do It lines, or buy them in-person at State of Beer (401z Hillsborough St.).
botanistandbarrel.com

The Butcher’s Market
They’re known for their meats, but the brick-and-mortar location of The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road) also has a broad selection of pre-packaged foods to pick up as host gifts.
thebutchersmarkets.com

Butterfields Candies
This Nashville, N.C., based company offers handcrafted, old-fashioned candy in beautiful, gift containers and combinations. Buy individual flavors or gift packs online. Also: it’s all dairy-free and gluten-free… but definitely not sugar-free! 
butterfieldscandies.com

Carolina Kettle
For the salty tooth: Delicious, original flavors—we’re partial to the Sir Walter Cream Cheese & Chive—in friendly variety gift packs online or at their store (5205 Hillsborough St.). More reason to love this brand from 1 in 6 Snacks: It was started by an N.C. State grad and they donate a portion of their proceeds to the Food Bank.
carolinakettle.com

Carolina Popcorn Shoppe
With flavors from the classic (Tasty Butter, White Cheddar, Crunchy Caramel) to the exotic (Sriracha Caramel, Pickle Pop, Confetti), Carolina Popcorn offers gift bags and tins of popcorn online, or find them in-stores at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road), Gingham and Posh (5201 Hollyridge Dr.) and The Wine Feed (602 Glenwood Ave.) in Raleigh.
carolinapopcorn.com

Chapel Hill Toffee
This company creates their toffee from a secret family recipe and donates a portion of the proceeds to cancer research. Buy it online or find it at more than a dozen local gift shops in Raleigh and the Triangle.
chapelhilltoffee.com

Chaza Bros Southern Hot Sauce
Spice up someone’s night: Buy Chaza Bros signature hot sauces by the bottle, set or gallon online or look for them in-store at The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Rd.), The Fort at 3512 (sign up for the address to this pop-up shop) or NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road). 
chazasauce.com

Crude Bitters
For your friend, the cocktail enthusiast: Order individual flavors or a sampler set of their bitters or shrubs online, or visit their pastel-pink storefront (501 E. Davie St.) to pull together a personalized gift.
crudebitters.com

Donovan’s Dish
Best known for their catering, this company offers a broad range of prepared foods to go—perfect if you want to leave a host breakfast for the next morning, or don’t have time to whip up an app for a potluck. Order online for delivery or pickup, or stop by the Market (800 W Williams St., Suite 112, Apex) to see what they have.
donovansdish.com 

Escazu Chocolates
Pop into the store (936 N. Blount St.) to create a box of beautiful chocolates in your recipient’s favorite flavors or colors, or shop online for bars or gift sets for far-away friends.
escazuchocolates.com

FRESH. Local Ice Cream
Yup, it’s welcome in all seasons—especially with flavors like Butter Pecan and Peppermint to get you through the holidays. Pick it up at one of their locations in Raleigh (6033 Glenwood Ave.), Cary or Apex. Order ahead for ice cream cakes or specialty flavors.
freshlocalicecream.com 

Gingham & Posh
This local gift shop specializes in gift baskets featuring all N.C. products, and can ship locally, all over the U.S. and internationally, too. Pop in to the store (5210-B Hollyridge Dr.) or order online.
ginghamandposh.com

Ginny O’s
These. Cheese. Straws. Many believe they’re the ultimate host gift idea. Find them online or in-person at NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road), Gingham and Posh (5201 Hollyridge Dr.), the Angus Barn Country Store (9401 Glenwood Ave.) and many local grocery stores.
ginnyo.com

Hail Mary Mix
All-natural, gluten-free Bloody Mary mixes that taste good with or without alcohol. Jar and gift sets are available online, or find them in brick and mortar at about a dozen stores in Raleigh, including Deco (19 W. Hargett St.), Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and NOFO @ the Pig (2014 Fairview Road).
hailmarybloodymarymix.com

Hampton Farms
Chocolate-covered, spicy or just plains, the peanuts from Hampton Farms are decidedly addictive. Headquartered in Severn, they offer a range of gift sets online that can ship anywhere in the U.S.
hamptonfarms.com

Howling Cow Ice Cream
Made from cream from the N.C. State Dairy Farm, processed on campus and marketed by students, Howling Cow Ice Cream is good even in wintertime. Find it at various locations on campus, or Harris Teeter stores.
howlingcow.ncsu.edu

Humdinger Juice
Give the gift of post-holiday health, in the form of delicious juices. Order online or find them at Core Fitness (1105 Capital Blvd.) or Benelux Coffee (402 Oberlin Road).
humdingerjuice.com

La Farm Bakery
Their bread is delish—and with Lionel Vatinet’s cookbook next to it, it’s especially giftable. La Farm can ship online orders throughout the U.S., or visit their Cary location (4248 NW Cary Pkwy.) to shop the wares yourself.
lafarmbakery.com

Ladyfingers
This caterer offers their signature item—the Shaved Country Hall Roll—by the dozen, and ships fresh anywhere in the U.S., with reheating instructions included. To bring the ham biscuits and other delicacies to a party, drop by their brick & mortar store (627 E. Whitaker Mill Road) or one of their Gourmet To-Go purveyors around the state.
ladyfingersofraleigh.com

Larry’s Coffee
Buy coffee beans by the bag in a range of flavors—from Bad Kitty to Dr. Mojo—or gift a subscription through their website to keep a friend caffeinated for months. Find them in person at various locations around Raleigh, including their coffee shop 42 & Lawrence (143 E. Martin St.).
larryscoffee.com

Masala My Life

Purveyors of various treats like tea, chocolate, and popped lily seeds, Masala My Life showcases products with Southeast Asian origins. While most of their goods aren’t edible, their teas and chocolates especially come in beautiful packaging. Find them online or at Cheeni Indian Food Emporium (1141 Falls River Ave).

masalamylife.com

Melina’s Fresh Pasta
This pasta is handmade from scratch in Durham in both traditional and seasonal incarnations. Ship it to various states through Bella Bean Organics, or find it at their pasta shop (2717 Chapel Hill Road, Durham) or various local gift shops in the Triangle, including NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road).
melinaspasta.com

Michael’s English Muffins
Head into the store (3611 Spring Forest Road) to pick up packs of muffins, jams or pimiento cheese for sandwiches for holiday catering (for these, order ahead) all made with local ingredients.
michaelsenglishmuffins.com

Midtown Olive Oil
This gourmet food store (4441 Six Forks Road) carries a mix of N.C.-made products and ones straight from Italy, with gift basket options—including a Made in NC Basket and a Gluten Free Basket—that can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.
midtownoliveoil.com

NOFO @ The Pig
Pop into this Five Points cafe, market and gift shop (2014 Fairview Road) to find all things N.C., including food from many of these vendors, including cracker, nuts, pickles, condiments, beer, wine and more.
nofo.com

Nons Pinching Salts
These delightful herb blends on a salt base found their origin in an old family recipe. Find them online or in various stores around town.
nonssalts.com

Olde Raleigh Distillery

Small-batch bourbon, made right in Zebulon? Yes, please! Old Raleigh Distillery is a great destination for sipping some brown liquor, but they’re also a great housewarming gift. Pick up their small-batch bourbon at the distillery in Zebulon (209 N. Arendell Avenue, Zebulon). Order ahead for the holidays and they’ll gussy ’em up in a gift basket!

olderaleighdistillery.com

Pelagic
Stop through this bottle shop to pick up beverages and packaged foods from N.C. including a selection of cheese and crackers and a broad selection from local brewers.
pelagicbeerandwine.com

Simons Says Spread This
Made by a husband-and-wife duo in Durham, these artisanal nut spreads come in unique flavors like coconut cashew butter and limoncello almond butter. Buy them online or find them at various local retailers, including NOFO at the Pig (2014 Fairview Road).
simonssaysspreadthis.com

Slice Pie Company
Slice offers whole pies, half pies, mini pies and slices in a jar in more than 20 flavors, including chocolate pecan, lemon meringue and banana cream. Ship them nationwide, or find the pies at their downtown pop-up shop (17 E. Martin St.) or at The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road). Note: If you have something specific in mind, order 48 hours ahead to make sure it’s available when you arrive, since everything is made to order.
slicepiecompany.com

Slingshot Coffee
Made by a husband-and-wife team, you can ship their signature cold brew and cascara coffees, too, anywhere in the U.S. Find them at various local retailers including State of Beer (401 Hillsborough St.), Raleigh Provisions (107 E. Davie St.) and Yellow Dog Bread Company (219 E. Franklin St.).
slingshotcoffeecompany.com

State of Beer
Visit this bottle shop run by the Trophy brewing folks for a selection of local beverages and packaged foods to bring to a party—and enjoy one of their signature sandwiches while you browse.
stateof.beer

Strong Arm Baking
This Granville County bakery will ship boxes of cookies anywhere in the United States, in a single flavor or a mix.
strongarmbaking.com

Sugar & Spice Kitchen
This North Hills baker offers pies, cookies, pastries and their Jolly Good Jams (with flavors like Raspberry + Rose and Blood Orange + Tarragon), all made from scratch. Almost everything can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. (the pies don’t travel as well, unfortunately), and you can order online for local delivery or to pick up at the Cheeni Indian Food Emporium (1141 Falls River Ave).
sugarandspicekit.com

Videri Chocolate Factory
This chocolate factory in the Warehouse District offers gift sets online that include their signature bars (hello, salted caramel!), hot chocolate mix, as well as individual bonbons. Or stop by the store at 327 W. Davie St. to grab a few bars to keep on hand as last-minute host gift ideas.
viderichocolatefactory.com

Yah’s Best Products
This family businesses is known for it’s salsa, but also has an array of sauces, jams and condiments, including sweet potato butter, hot sweet crisp pickles and raspberry jalapeño jam. Everything can be shipped throughout the U.S. (additional charges may apply for items that aren’t shelf-stable) or you can find them every day at the N.C. State Farmers market (1201 Agriculture St.) and The Butcher’s Market (5045 Falls of Neuse Road).
yahsbest.com

Yellow Dog Bread Company
This purveyor of all kinds of breads, scones, croissants and cookies offers seasonal treats and pies, too. You can’t order online, but you can visit the store (219 E. Franklin St.) to see what’s in stock, or call or message them on Instagram if you’d like to order ahead of time.
instagram.com/yellowdogbread

P.S. Are we missing your personal favorite? Shoot us a note or message us on Facebook and we’ll add them.

 

 

This post was originally published in December 2019. It was update in December 2022.