Find Delicious Made-in-Tennessee Food and More Through Pick Tennessee Products
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
Tennesseans don’t have to look far to find fresh, local foods and products. For more than 30 years, the Pick Tennessee Products program has been connecting consumers to the great things that come from the state’s farms and food businesses.
Part of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), the Pick Tennessee Products program highlights everything from produce to cheeses to handmade soaps, giving consumers the information to truly live locally.
“Purchasing locally keeps more money in the local economy,” says Debbie Ball, business consultant for the TDA Business Development Division. “Plus, small, local businesses always have a great story to tell. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a treasured family recipe and developing a product to share with the public. Local businesses are invested in their community and often give back to that community. It’s important to support them, too.”
Consumers can search the free online database by visiting picktnproducts.org or download the free Pick Tennessee mobile app for helpful directories of products across the state.
Two Heads Hot Sauce
Putting their two heads together, Jeremy Fyke and Casey Maples specialize in “heat you can taste,” including hot sauces, dry blends, hot honey and hot maple syrup. Using fresh, locally sourced peppers, their blended sauces are gluten-free, low-sodium and have no added sugar. And while they’re proud of their sauce, the duo is just as proud to give back to their community as 10% of every sale is donated to nonprofits in Tennessee.
See more: Tennessee Farmers Markets Create Community Around Local Foods
Skip’s Peppers
Add a bit of spice to your life with Skip’s Peppers. Founded in Hendersonville, the company smokes hot peppers over a hardwood fire, then roasts and grinds them to make spice blends that bring the heat. Owned by Scott “Skip” Kline, Skip’s Peppers vows to keep things all natural with no added salt, sugar, coloring or hard-to-pronounce ingredients.
NUJO
Looking to change up your morning routine? NUJO just might be your “new cup of joe.” A seamless coffee substitute, NUJO provides sustained, natural energy without the jitters associated with coffee. Made from six organic superfoods, NUJO brews like coffee, steeps like tea and makes the perfect base for caffeine-free lattes, mochas and more. Based in Rutherford County, this woman-owned company pledges 10% of proceeds to the National Angels nonprofit in support of foster care communities.
Franklin’s Fruit Tea
Brewed and bottled in Murfreesboro, Franklin’s Fruit Tea will change the way you think about the sweet, refreshing beverage. Founded by a husband-and-wife team, it all began when Germayle Franklin decided to learn how to make his own fruit tea, rather than spending money on it. Now, the couple sells their delicious tea at events and festivals, as well as out of their mobile fruit tea bar and at select grocery stores.
See more: Convention Connects Pick Tennessee Products
Protein Snack Shop
With a focus on health and fitness, Protein Snack Shop is on a mission to make deliciously healthy treats – from cheesecake to snack bars to muffins. Based out of Smyrna, products are freshly-baked and handcrafted. With a background in fitness, owner Dana Hampton wanted to re-create “forbidden foods” that are nutritious while still tasting great, helping people get healthy without restriction.
Seahorse Snacks
When founder Stacy Martin underwent a life-saving surgery that resulted in her having to eat every two hours to sustain energy, she decided to take matters into her own hands. She discovered a way to make protein-packed nuts even more delicious, and Seahorse Snacks was born. Based in Hamilton County, Seahorse Snacks includes pistachios, cashews, almonds and pecans with unique, delicious flavorings, such as maple chai and chili turmeric.
Hitman Smoked Products
With a tagline of “Old World Bacon with a New World Flair,” Hitman’s Smoked Products’ mouthwatering bacon speaks for itself. Located in Clifton, the company produces bacon like their great-grandfathers used to make, featuring kosher salt, brown sugar and lots of love.
Comfort Foods
Comfort Foods, located in Unicoi, is the maker of Royal Red Stew – a gourmet sauce inspired by an African recipe that can be used on everything from fish to pasta. Made with all-natural ingredients, this authentic sauce comes ready to eat, with no added sugars, preservatives or MSG. Try all four flavors: curry, original mild, spicy hot and extra-extra hot.
Frog Juice Kombucha
Quench your thirst with artisanal kombucha made only of the finest local, organic and fair-trade ingredients. Located in Knox County, Frog Juice Kombucha is a women-led business that’s committed to providing a delicious and nutritious option for those wanting a nonalcoholic beverage. Flavors include blueberry basil, peach lavender, fire cider and more.
Flowers Creamery
Located in Giles County, Flowers Creamery produces small-batch cheeses from milk produced by their dairy, as well as fresh bottled milk. Family-owned and operated, the creamery controls the entire process of cheesemaking, from growing the feed for the cows, processing on-site and offering top-quality products to consumers.
Bonnie & Jr.’s House of BBQ Sauce
Bonnie and Junior Carter always loved smoking whole hogs for their parties, but they needed to spice things up in the sauce department. They found an old family recipe for sweet and mild sauce, perfected it, and the rest is history. House of BBQ sauce is delicious on all types of meat or even as an alternative to ketchup. In fact, their slogan is #it’sgoodoneverythang!
Discover even more local products from across the state at picktnproducts.org.