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Fresh Take: The Best Food And Sustainability Gifts Of 2024

E.Garcia3 hr ago

Happy Gift Guide Day!

As we usher in the season of cinnamon and pies, I've put together a smattering of gifts and treats for all the food- or sustainability-minded colleagues, friends and family members in your life. I hope it helps you navigate the often-too-stressful end-of-year rush! I tried to balance the accessible with the drool-worthy, and I truly believe there's a gift for everyone here.

I'll plug myself for a moment, too. Consider supporting my journalism and purchasing the just-released paperback edition of my book Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed and the Fight for the Future of Meat. The new afterword is revealing and illuminating, and the book can speak to anyone interested in economics, climate change or what we eat. Why not pick up a copy for the next host gift you need? There's a lot of hosting coming up these next few weeks, and no one wants to be the guest that shows up empty-handed.

Otherwise, enjoy the browsing, and don't forget: It's a glorious time of year to support local makers. Below I've compiled gifts that can ship nationwide, but it's best to seek out the experts in your area—from jam specialists to ceramicists. Farmers markets and neighborhood holiday fairs are a great way to connect with the artisans nearest you.

— Chloe Sorvino, Staff Writer

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The Gift Guide: The Top Food & Sustainability Gifts of 2024

A box of oysters from Northern California's Hog Island Oyster Co. or Washington's Hama Hama Oyster Co.

A box of invasive venison from Maui Nui

A box of pasture-raised meat from White Oak Pastures —or leather goods or tallow-based soap and candles made from their livestock

A sampler of regenerative organic certified kernza-based pasta from Patagonia Provisions

Burlap & Barrel's oh-so-perfectly timed new collaboration: Martha Stewart's pork & poultry seasoning with sage, oregano and ginger. Have the new launch center a gift box for the chef in your life.

Native-owned barbecue sauces, hot sauces, mustards, jams, hand-harvested wild rice, fish fry batter, pancake mix and other specialty goods from chef Sean Sherman's Indigenous Food Lab Market

snack box The Goods Mart

A non-exhaustive list of my favorite food books from 2024: Bodega Bakes by Paola Velez; My Regenerative Kitchen by Camilla Marcus; Meateater's Wild + Whole Cookbook by Danielle Prewett; Into The Weeds: How To Garden Like A Forager by Tama Matsuoka Wong; Keep It Zesty by Edy Massih; What Goes With What by Julia Turshen; My Egypt by Michael Mina; What To Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking by Caro Chambers

Kitchen upgrades: reusable berry containers , a souper cube mold for freezing soups, or a cheese vault for fridge storage

For the spritz lover in your life who just learned about artificial colors and dyes: a bottle of Red by Forthave Spirits

For the bubble lover: a case of my preferred American-sourced mineral water Saratoga from the springs of upstate New York. Or hand-blown coupe glasses from Glasvin, a 30 Under 30 founded company .

For the hydration-obsessed: a bedside carafe and cup set from my favorite neighborhood home goods shop Coming Soon

For the hiker, bird-watcher, or nosy neighbor: waterproof binoculars from Nocs Provisions

For the forager: a foraging bag bundle from Barebones that comes with an herb harvest and strip tool

For the gardener: an upgraded watering can or seed saving box from Terrain. Or an outdoor planter like this fluted concrete option or an indoor planter like this antiqued iron low urn . Or a bird feeder .

For the toxins-minded: a filtered showerhead

The splurges: a 6-person barrel sauna from Redwood Outdoors to transform the backyard into a wellness oasis. Or a river cruise through the Amazon in Peru or Brazil , to be coupled with next year's COP30 in Brazil, naturally.

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Thanks for reading the 125th edition of Forbes Fresh Take! Let me know what you think. Subscribe to Forbes Fresh Take here .

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