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Blue Ridge Bones Blue Ridge Bones uses organic ingredients from western North Carolina, including fresh eggs, goat milk, honey and blueberries, to make its natural dog biscuits. The Boone-based company originally created the treats for a family border collie. They became so popular that the homemade goodies developed into a full line. Product flavors include flax, honey, banana, peanut butter, cream, blueberry and quinoa. The dog biscuits are available in sizes for small and large dogs and vary in price ranging from $4.50 to $6.50. (828) 297-1441 |
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Sweetwater’s Grille and Cheesecake Co. Sweetwater’s Grille and Cheesecake Company in Selma opened in 2003 offering only one dessert on the menu: homemade cheesecakes. As demand for the cakes increased, the secret family recipe grew to more than 60 flavors including key lime, cappuccino, Snickers, chocolate chip, raspberry chocolate, and peanut butter cup. Sweetwater’s Cheesecakes are featured in restaurants in Johnston, Wake, Lee and Pitt counties and can be shipped anywhere in the continental United States. A 10-inch cheesecake is $35, including tax. (919) 202-0145 |
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Cackalacky Sauce & Condiments Funny name but serious zest fuels Cackalacky Classic Condiment products. The Chapel Hill company’s products include the Original Cackalacky Spice Sauce, 5 ounces, with a tangy, mellow flavor for hamburgers, hotdogs, soups, sandwiches, beans and barbecue. There is also Cackalacky Spiced Ketchup, 12 ounces, and Cackalacky Spiced Mustard, 12 ounces. Pronounced “kak-a-lak-ee,” the products can be puchased on the Cackalacky Web site and at Cracker Barrel Country Stores, Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Lowe’s Foods, and A Southern Season in Chapel Hill. The Original Cackalacky Spice Sauce sells for $5.98 a bottle. (919) 967-4992 |
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Joan’s Sourdough Bread Blue Ridge EMC member Joan Knox started baking her own bread when she couldn’t find good sourdough bread for herself and her husband, Henry. Now her state-certified bakery in Lenoir produces six varieties of sourdough bread. The bakery also sells homemade fried pies, including blackberry, blueberry and strawberry half-moon pies. The plain sourdough loaf sells for $3.50 and a jalapeno sourdough loaf sells for $4. The pies sell for $2 each. (866) 548-2510 |
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Apple Mill Making apple cider since 1927, the Apple Mill kitchen and retail store is located in Saluda. Apple Mill prides itself on using only fresh fruit grown locally to make homemade products like whole apple butter, mulled cider, fresh cider, fruit preserves and jellies. Apple Mill also makes gift boxes out of wood from the sawmill on the orchard grounds. Their products contain no preservatives or artificial colors. Visitors can view the Apple Mill kitchen operation where their products are made daily, including double washing and drying, apple grating and coring. (828) 749-9136
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Sweetums’ Cake in a Jar Sweetums’ Original Cake in a Jar, made by Sweetums Eats & Treats in Pinebluff, is a handy thing to have on hand for unexpected company or to send to loved ones. The cakes are baked in a mason jar and vacuum packed. Sweetums says the cakes have a shelf life of up to a year, or if opened will stay fresh for two weeks refrigerated, and they easily slide out of the jar. Flavors include butter macadamia, German chocolate, orange cranberry, banana nut, white chip pumpkin walnut and holiday spice, along with a new cake made from wine. Prices are $6 a jar, plus shipping. Sweetums also sells fruit spreads, including blueberry, peach and strawberry flavors and plans to offer wine jelly. (910) 281-5500 |