Keep it here by supporting local business
By Chelsea Chambers Photos Kimberlee Miller
Idaho is home to world-class artisanal, hand-crafted food and drink. Peruse the shops, the Boise Co-Ops or the Saturday Market and you’ll always find something homegrown and unique to try. For the holidays, we’ve taste-tested and curated some of Idaho’s most primo products for you to consider for this year’s hostess gifts, stocking stuffers and family presents. Why not spice up your holidays by treating your loved ones to some of these?
Lampe Granola
Cindy Lampe has always been a baker, making different kinds of granola, but it never really occurred to her to sell her granola until her teenage son mentioned it one day in passing. Cindy’s delicious granola—with flavors like pumpkin spice, strawberry apple and blueberry peach–now can be found online at lampegranola.com, at the Saturday Market and soon in local coffee and doughnut shops.
Bear Island Brewing
Beth Bechtel and her husband Steve both served in the US Navy (as bomb squad veterans) and now work in Beth’s business, Bear Island Brewing. Her flagship IPA (or, Idaho Potato Ale) was crafted initially while Beth was deployed in the Middle East, forced to use russet potatoes from the local market as the starch in her brew. Today their beer can be found all over the Valley. A complete list is on their website bearislandbrewing.com.
Handmade by Dorothy
In 1986, Dorothy Baumhoff started her home-based business selling homemade Idaho
preserves made with the wild berries she hand-picked in the beautiful Idaho mountains. Today, Handmade by Dorothy offers an expanded preservatives-free product line of hand-crafted jams, jellies, syrups, baking mixes and potato products, featuring a wide variety of wild berries, fruits and other products grown in Idaho or the Northwest. Handmade by Dorothy products can be found at the Saturday market and online at handmadebydorothy.com.
Potter Wines
When Crystal and Von Potter had an overabundance of grapes and far too many jars of jam, Von solved the problem by becoming a vintner. His decision to make a jalapeno wine catapulted their business and today, Potter Wines’ Jalapeno Lemonade can be found in all 49 of Idaho’s state liquor stores, drunk as a stand-alone drink and as a mixer, which is its most popular use with only 2.5% alcohol content. Their wines are available for purchase at several Fred Meyers locations, Whole Foods, both Boise Co-Ops, the Saturday Market and online at jalapenowine.com.
Boise Kombucha
Gabe Yeamans started home brewing his own Kombucha 13 years ago, but a 2012 friendly sibling rivalry inspired Yeamans to take it to the next level. His brother had started the rapidly successful Hi Kombucha in Hawaii. Today Boise Kombucha offers flavors like Orange Hibiscus and Pomegranate Cucumber. Boise Kombucha is available at Treasure Valley retailers including Snake River Tea, Zero Six Coffee Fix and World of Nutrition in Nampa or online at boisekombucha.com.
Ironside Roasting
Ironside Roasting got its namesake from the Scandinavian vibe that founder, Colin Seeley, wanted to emanate. The company exists “Because life is too short to drink bad coffee.” Ironside Roasting coffee can be
found in seasonal Payette Beers, STIL’s gourmet ice cream and several locations across Boise. For the coffee lovers on your list this year the perfect gift is a gourmet brewing method, like a French Press or Chemex, and several bags of Ironside Roasting coffee. More information can be found at ironsideroasting.com or the Saturday Market and the Boise Coop.
Three Bar Mix
The perfect Bloody Mary is typically elusive, but those days are over. Three Bar Mix is formulated with a secret recipe founded in 1935, acquired by partners Patt Duynslager, Robere Kazadi and Leland Smythe. Now it’s being distributing all over Idaho and other states throughout the Northwest. Three Bar Mix is a great addition to any holiday party and is also available in perfect stocking stuffer size. The mix is at all Idaho State Liquor Stores, Albertson’s, Winco, and several other locations across the Valley. Stop in or visit their website at threebarmix.com for a complete list of retailers.
Acme Bakeshop
Started in early 2013 by Idaho native owner and head baker Michael Runsvold, Acme Bakeshop has expanded to serve more than 30 restaurants in the Treasure Valley. Runsvold, a James Beard Award nominee, crafts artisanal breads that boast more texture and flavor than one would ever expect. Imagine showing up at your holiday parties this year with fresh Acme Bakeshop bread. Visit facebook.com/acmebakeshop or find Acme Bakeshop selling at both Boise Co-Ops and the Saturday Market.
*All Saturday Market vendors can be found at the indoor winter location on the corner of 8th and Fulton Street all season long!
Photo by Chelsea Harada
