Grocery

7 Pantry Staples We Love, Made Right Here In the Northeast

Get local favorites delivered straight to your door.

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August 17, 2023
Photo by FreshDirect

We’ve teamed up with FreshDirect to bring you our favorite locally made pantry must-haves. From Gotham Greens to Early Bird Granola, these local brands are delivered right to your door. Order online or via their app to shop your go-to groceries.


Buying local is a way of life in the Northeast, whether at the farmers market where perfectly ripe tomatoes and peaches are piled high, or through FreshDirect, which offers carefully curated regionally-made pantry staples. If you're looking to spice things up with new brands or you simply appreciate high-quality, thoughtfully-sourced products, these staples will elevate your kitchen game and support regional producers. A win-win! Plus, the best part is that they are conveniently available for online ordering and delivery right to your door, making it easier than ever to savor the flavors of the Northeast in your home kitchen. From the fresh and vibrant produce of Gotham Greens to the delectably sweet and spicy taste of Mike's Hot Honey, here’s a peek at seven proudly crafted pantry-elevating favorites.


Photo by FreshDirect

1. Early Bird Granola Kiss My Oats

It’s always nice to have a quick and healthy breakfast option on hand for busy mornings. Early Bird Granola, Kiss My Oats granola is the perfect topping for a scoop of creamy Greek yogurt and a few handfuls of fresh fruit. This delicious granola is gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, and hits all the right flavor notes, with the perfect combination of sweet and salty. Throw a few handfuls atop stewed peaches for a quick and easy “crumble,” or top with your favorite berries and eat it by the bowlful. Bonus: This women-owned and operated company bakes their granola in small batches right in their Brooklyn kitchen, for a homemade flavor that's hard to top.

Photo by FreshDirect

2. Brooklyn Roasting Company's Colombia Santa Barbara Whole Bean Coffee

Brooklyn Roasting Company recognizes that quality coffee begins at the source, and their Colombia Santa Barbara, Whole Bean Coffee encapsulates the essence of Colombian coffee culture in every cup. Grown in the fertile volcanic soils of Santa Barbara, these beans are precisely harvested to ensure unparalleled quality. Upon brewing, you’ll experience a rich, full-bodied coffee with notes of caramel and dark chocolate, a true testament to the beans' meticulous roasting process—all delivered straight to your door with FreshDirect. Your morning routine will never be the same! With each sip, find yourself transported to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, where the passion for a perfect cup meets the global love for coffee.

Photo by FreshDirect

3. Brooklyn Born Sweet & Salty Milk Chocolate Bar

Wait…pretzels, toffee, peanuts, and sea salt, all covered in luscious milk chocolate?! It’s the sweet and salty chocolate bar of your dreams, delivered right to your doorstep thanks to FreshDirect. Brooklyn Born Sweet & Salty Milk Chocolate Bar would elevate any end-of-summer s’more, not to mention push even the Best Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe over the top (in the best way possible).

Photo by FreshDirect

4. Mike’s Hot Honey

To know this condiment is to love it. Mike's Hot Honey was born when founder Mike Kurtz began drizzling his signature hot honey over pizza slices at the Brooklyn pizzeria where he worked and customers begged to take it home by the bottleful. With only three ingredients—honey, chilies, and vinegar—its smooth, rich consistency and subtle, fiery kick pair perfectly with fried chicken, roasted vegetables, or even a charcuterie board. Whether used as a glaze, marinade, or a simple drizzle, Mike's Hot Honey tantalizes taste buds with its unique combination of sweet and spicy, and lucky for you, FreshDirect brings it right from Brooklyn to your doorstep.

Photo by FreshDirect

5. L’lsolina Whole-Grain Local Casarecce

FreshDirect offers authentic Italian ingredients that would make the Pasta Grannies proud, including L'Isolina Whole-Grain Local Casarecce. Crafted with locally sourced Amber Waves Farm's Red Wheat, this pasta boasts a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth to any dish. Its casarecce shape, with its twisted, ribbed texture, holds sauces impeccably, so give it a whirl with an easy 10-Minute Tomato Sauce or a slow simmered Sunday Pork Ragu. L'Isolina's commitment to using high-quality, sustainable ingredients is evident in each lovingly made batch, transporting you to the sun-kissed hills of Italy with every forkful.

Photo by FreshDirect

6. Bread Alone Organic Peasant Bread

If your homemade sourdough-making kick ended along with lockdown, you might be on the lookout for a replacement. Enter Bread Alone Organic Peasant Bread, a simple country-style white bread that is perfect for hearty sandwiches. From its first loaf in 1983, this second-generation, family-owned bakery in the Catskill Mountains has maintained its commitment to using organic, high-quality ingredients. Loaves are baked in wood-fire ovens, which produce carvable crusts with a nice crunch. Remember, a great sandwich starts with great bread. You can go high-brow with a Balsamic Chicken Sandwich with Peach Jam and Brandied Onions or keep it simple with Gabrielle Hamilton's Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Photo by FreshDirect

7. Rick's Picks Sour Snacking Pickles

Handcrafted from a meticulous selection of cucumbers and brimming with bold, zesty tanginess, Rick's Picks Sour Snacking Pickles are a testament to Rick's unwavering commitment to quality. Level up your snack game with each bite; whether enjoyed straight from the pack, enhancing a charcuterie board, or adding a zingy kick to sandwiches, these little dillies embody the essence of artisanal craftsmanship. Conveniently packaged in a single-serving pouch they're your healthy, tangy, crunchy go-to snack! Rick's Picks' dedication to responsible sourcing from local farmers shines through in every jar, a value they have in common with FreshDirect.

We’ve teamed up with FreshDirect to make stocking up extra easy. Order online or via their app to shop your go-to groceries, whether you’re prepping your pantry for back-to-school busyness or trying.


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Christine Chitnis

Written by: Christine Chitnis

Writer, photographer, traveler. Author of Patterns of India: A Journey Through Colors, Textiles, and the Vibrancy of Rajasthan. Follow along on Instagram @christine.chitnis

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