We have a lot to be proud of at Firsthand Foods this year. We’ve grown our incredible team, received our BCorp Certification, expanded opportunities for our customers to shop direct from our website, and continued to uphold the values of sustainability, transparency, and partnership that define our brand.
Another thing we’re proud of? Being a successful women-owned company in a male-dominated industry. It’s important to us to show our gratitude for the people and businesses who have supported us over the years and to be champions for the amazing women-owned businesses here in the Triangle. In that spirit, our 2022 Firsthand Gift Guide is a celebration of entrepreneurial women. This guide has something for everyone on your list—from delicious foodstuffs to visual art to bath & body products. Start scrolling to shop our list of women-and-femme-owned faves!
Natural Bath & Body Products by Gina-Marie D’Meza of Little Homestead Farm
Gina-Marie D’Meza opened Little Homestead Farm earlier this year (right in our East Durham neighborhood!), but her journey with all-natural bath, body, and home products began twelve years ago. All of her small batch soaps are handmade from oils using the hot process soap method and consist of only GMO-free, sustainably-harvested, food grade oils paired with natural botanicals.
Gina-Marie’s daughters even have a hand in the company, making whimsical sugar scrubs and bath bombs for kids and grown-ups who are young at heart. We love that she’s passing on the entrepreneurial spirit on to the next generation! Shop her website or her brick-and-mortar shop for soaps, lotions & balms, men’s products, and more!
Tarot Readings & Herbal Blends by Erin Harker of The Magick Makers
Erin Harker was a baker and a blogger before she dedicated herself to her true passion—creating enchanted goods and seasonal provisions for the modern witch and craft-curious folks.
Erin’s beautiful line of products includes bath soaks, crystals, herbal blends, and even in-person or virtual tarot readings. These are perfect gifts for anyone who appreciates ritual and loves to dabble in the mystical. Browse the Magick Makers website for an easy-on-the-eyes selection of all things witchy and wonderful.
Textile Handcrafts from Amelia Freeman-Lynde of Freeman’s Creative
Amelia Freeman-Lynde opened Freeman’s Creative in Durham’s Lakewood Shopping Center in 2017. Since then, she’s supported countless online and in-person visitors in their creative crafting endeavors. Thanks, Amelia!
Freeman’s Creative is Durham’s home for yarn, beautiful fabric, and all kinds of craft-adjacent accessories. We love the Needle Felting Christmas Ornament and Star Map Embroidery kits, but you kind of can’t go wrong shopping at Freeman’s for the creative spirit on your list.
Handcrafted Sausage & Charcuterie by Anna Gibala of Moonbelly Meats
Anna Gibala, founder of Durham’s Moonbelly Meat Co., is a chef and butcher who makes all of her specialty meats by hand, focusing on fun and unique flavors. We’re proud that Anna sources her local, pasture-raised meat from Firsthand Foods!
For the chef in your life, order a pack of Korean BBQ Sausage. For the consummate snacker, grab a bag of Old Bay Chicharonnes! Or send your foodie friend a Moonbelly gift card and let them pick out their favorite flavors.
Art Prints & Stationary from Amy Richards of Amy Richards Illustration
Based in Wendell, NC, Amy Richards Illustration is an impressive one-woman art show overflowing with color, whimsy, and local flair.
Exploring Amy’s online collection of watercolor illustration and paper goods is every bit as satisfying as in-person window-shopping, so be sure to take your time on her website. We’re in love with the pet ornaments, the NC-inspired holiday cards, and the moon prints!
Herbal Teas & Tinctures by Shea Broussard of Compassion Apothecary
Shea Broussard of AcuShea Wellness and Compassion Apothecary is a Durham-based acupuncturist and herbalist who incorporates East Asian Medicine and Transpersonal Psychology to offer a unique, integrated approach to wellness.
Holiday Cards & Books by Artist & Writer Emily Wallace
Illustrations by artist and writer Emily Wallace have become iconic in the NC food community. From Duke’s Mayonnaise to moonshine to jello molds, her illustrations get the southern food landscape exactly right.
Meads by Diane Currier of Honeygirl Meadery
Diane Currier’s forays into mead production became a full-time gig when her hibiscus lemonthyme mead won a ribbon at the 2012 NC State Fair Wine Competition. That’s when the seeds of Honeygirl Meadery were planted.
Today, Durham’s Honeygirl Meadery makes dozens of meads, from their signature Farmhouse Wildflower to a Barrel Aged Fig & Oak. All of the meads are created with seasonally available local fruits, flowers, and herbs. Shop direct from their website or pop into their downtown Durham tasting room!
Locally Roasted Coffee by Addison Yarbrough of Omie’s Coffee Shop and Roastery
Addison Yarbrough and husband Justin roast coffee beans every other week. They source their beans from small farms in Honduras using an importer who’s local to North Carolina. Omie’s, where you can enjoy and purchase their coffee, is located on Roxboro Road, right next door to Kings Red & White, a Durham staple. Addison aims for Omie’s to feel vibrant, welcoming, and laid back.
For the coffee lover in your life (who doesn’t love coffee?), grab a bag of Omie’s delicious honey-processed House Blend. They also offer several coffee subscriptions, a perfect gift for your grad student or entrepreneurial friend who’s always burning the midnight oil.
Vibrant Women’s Clothing & Accessories by Lilian K. Danieli of Nashona
Lilian K. Danieli, a Tanzanian native who lives in Raleigh, founded NASHONA in 2012 with the goal of serving her community and merging cultures by providing traditional African prints in modern silhouettes.
The phrase “Made with ❤️ in Tanzania” can be found on the tag of each NASHONA piece (NASHONA means “I sew” in Swahili!). Her online and brick-and-mortar shops are chock full of unique dresses in gorgeous prints as well as stunning accessories that make great gifts for friends.
Edible NC, Edited by Marcie Cohen Ferris
Pasture-Raised Meats from Jennifer Curtis & Tina Prevatte-Levy of Firsthand Foods
Like we said in the gift guide’s introduction, we’re excited to have recently expanded our direct sales options. Now, our beef, pork, and lamb—all of it local, pasture-raised, and free of growth-promoting antibiotics—is available to local customers straight from our website!