My husband loves to try new sauces—BBQ, hot, sweet chili, you name it. So, whenever I travel, I always seek out places that carry local products. I've discovered some great finds this way.
When I joined the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau team, I dove into the local foods movement and was amazed at the variety of locally made products. I found that visiting any one of the farmers’ markets in Orange County is a great opportunity to see what’s available. Weaver Street Market, a local cooperative here, also has a good selection of local goods. Here are some of my favorite finds and their stories:
Boxcarr Handmade Cheese
Siblings Samantha and Austin Genke, along with Austin’s wife Dani, started Boxcarr Farms in 2009, inspired by small Italian farmstead creameries. They began making cheese in 2015, and Boxcarr Handmade Cheese was born. They source cow milk from local small family-owned dairies and have their own herd of mixed-breed dairy goats. With 13 distinct flavors, including award winners, plus a line of cheese spreads, their cheese is a must-try. You can find them bi-weekly at the Chapel Hill Farmers Market, order online for pickup or delivery, or find their products at many fine restaurants and retailers.
Accidental Baker
Jennie and Kevin’s handmade flatbread crackers are a hit! Made in Hillsborough, NC, with locally milled flour from Lindley Mills, their crackers became so popular that they shifted their business focus entirely to them. They now offer six flavors and are sold in over 150 retail stores and restaurants. You can also find them at the Eno River Farmers’ Market in Hillsborough. Their Firecracker and Sea Salt Crackers have even won Good Food Awards!
Big Spoon Roasters
When co-founders Mark & Megan met in 2010, they found that they shared a passion for making food for others, good wholesome food. With inspiration, integrity, innovation, and family, Big Spoon Roasters was born. Speaking of Good Food Award winners, Big Spoon’s Lum Lum Thai Curry Peanut & Cashew Butter is a 2024 recipient! Perfect as a veggie dip or to explore with other recipes, their nut butters are flavor-packed. Don’t forget to try their nut bars for a quick energy boost.
Chapel Hill Toffee and Griff's Coffee Toffee
From a family recipe made in the kitchen to mega distribution, Chapel Hill Toffee is everywhere. But its home will always be here in Chapel Hill. It truly is a family-owned business with Karen Graves (mom), and sons Mark and Scott, and Mark’s wife, Christy—all pitching in. After the passing of Karen’s husband, Griff, Griff’s Coffee Toffee was launched as the national brand of KLG Candies.
Fricks Apiaries
100% raw, 100% local, and 100% delicious! Founded in 2003 by Guy and Ingrid Fricks, Fricks Apiaries’ local honey is made from bees that forage across the counties of Orange, Chatham, and Alamance, and produced on their small family farm in Chapel Hill. They also make beeswax candles, lip balm, and bee pollen. A best seller is Frickin’ Hot Honey, which is infused with chili pepper—whoa!
Favorite Pairings
Boxcarr Cottonbell on Accidental Baker’s Sea Salt Crackers
Chapel Hill Toffee dipped in Big Spoon’s Chocolate Sea Salt Almond Butter with a drizzle of Fricks’ Raw Honey—Sweet!.
My husband swears by Cottage Lane Kitchen’s Hissy Fit Hot Sauce—he sprinkles it on his scrambled eggs. I’ve not tried that myself, but I would definitely shred up some Boxcarr Redbud cheese on mine for an elevated smoky flavor.
These are just a few of the amazing products you can find in Orange County. For a full list of local artisans, click here.
Image Credits: Boxcarr Handmade Cheese; Accidental Baker; Big Spoon Roasters; Chapel Hill Toffee; Frick's Apiaries
