A collage of photos of FoodCorps alums and the handicrafts they create and sell as gifts.
Photos courtesy of Blue Mountain Vegetable Farm, Seasons to Sow, and MetLiefsHandicrafts.

We’re excited to share with you the latest edition of our FoodCorps Alumni Gift Guide, updated for 2024!

Below, we’ve gathered an assortment of gifts or small businesses by former FoodCorps members, many of whom still keep the joy and power of food close. 

Gift a friend or loved one a soothing herbal tea blend, a local cider subscription, or handmade jewelry made by our amazing FoodCorps alums. Support them during your gift shopping this holiday season—and all year round!

2024 FoodCorps Alumni Gift Guide:

Blue Mountain Vegetable Farm | Destiny Schlinker (AR ‘14, ‘15)

“We are a small organic farm in the Arkansas River Valley. We grow cut flowers, shiitakes, and a large assortment of vegetables. Each year we make a small farm fresh hot sauce line so we have products that we can share with friends and family who are further away.”

Seasons to Sow | April Divine (MS ‘13)

“Greetings! We at Seasons to Sow make occasion-inspired grow kits. These are great eco gifts that inspire the gardener in us and encourage healthy vegetable eating! Sow with us for the holidays!”

Northwest Cider Club | Emily Ritchie (OR ‘12)

“The Northwest Cider Club is inspired by the people and the culture behind craft cider. We bring you the wonder of northwest cider from more than 100 cider makers. You and your tastebuds will be delighted with the cider adventure each release delivers. This gathering includes winning ciders and cideries from the Northwest Cider Cup. Join the club, give a membership or order a one-time box.”

Nekko Wellness | Tasia Yamamura (HI ‘14, ‘15)

“I love to grow plants and Nekko is one way that I utilize abundant harvests and preserve seasonal herbs until the next year. I use what I grow, forage, and source from other small farms to make salves, tinctures, face and hair serums, floral bath salts—botanical body care. Folks can DM me on Instagram to order.”

Awesome Herbs | Katie Neskey (MT ‘13)

“We are a small herb farm in Western Montana producing herbal tea and culinary herbs. We harvest, dry, process, mix, and package in small batches, providing the freshest and highest quality herbal products possible (view or purchase at our website). We follow organic practices by applying compost, cover-cropping, and rotating crops, and we don’t use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. Our farm is located on the traditional lands of the Selis (Bitterroot Salish), Qlispe (Pend ‘dOreille), and Ktunaxa Ksanka (Kootenai) Peoples. A portion of our sales go to the Trans Justice Funding Project.”

MetLiefsHandicrafts | Kelsey Ioannou (OR ‘19, ‘20)

“Met liefs” means “with love” in Dutch, and every piece of jewelry, embroidery, and other custom gifts from Met Liefs Handicrafts is made with love from my small village here in the Netherlands. I also sell greeting cards, stickers, and other artwork at metliefspaperie on Redbubble!”

Small Batch Detroit | Jen Rusciano (MI ‘12, ‘13) 

“Our students at the Detroit Food Academy make awesome holiday gift boxes featuring youth-made granola bars and jams, all using Michigan produce! We ship across the country!”

FOOD EARTH BIRTH | Andrea Blanton (GA ‘15)

“FOOD EARTH BIRTH is a small company rooted in earth-based services including small seasonal catering, herbal tea ceremony, and natural birth work. While honoring the earth, we center on environmental sustainability and local economy.”

lovelevel | Janeece Johnson (CA ‘19, ‘20)

“Colorado artists Janeece Johnson and Stacy King founded lovelevel with a simple mission in mind: to lovingly create lightweight jewelry that brings you closer to nature.”

If you know of a FoodCorps alumni-owned business, or you are a FoodCorps alum and would like to be added to this gift guide, please email wenonakei.shmull@foodcorps.org!