After Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina and beyond, these food & drink gifts that fund relief and recovery can really help.
As you no doubt know, the western part of my state (North Carolina) and several surrounding states were absolutely devastated by Hurricane Helene. Hundreds died, many are still missing, and countless people are still going without basic utilities. Most of these communities aren’t in a position to accept tourists, despite Western North Carolina depending heavily on them.
The good news is there are countless ways that you can support disaster recovery. These food gifts that fund hurricane relief are an excellent example of that!
With the holidays rapidly approaching, I’m encouraging you to spend at least part of your gift-giving budget on businesses in the impacted communities. Dozens of them ship nationally, making it easy for you to help from home.
Explore Asheville compiled a list of 129 Asheville-area food businesses where you can either shop directly, buy a gift card, or donate to a relief fund. The city is among the hardest hit communities in Helene’s wake, but of course, it wasn’t limited to Asheville, so I encourage you to look for other options, too.
Here are 21 of my top picks from Explore Asheville’s list that showcase the range of options available and that I think sound most compelling! But you should explore the full list yourself, too.
In addition to making great gifts, many of these are also ideal for stocking your home pantry, spoiling your dog, or treating yourself!
1. Botanist & Barrel Cider and Wine
As the premiere natural cider maker in the Southeast and one of the best in the nation, Botanist & Barrel is run by some of the most talented and special people you’ll ever meet. Better yet, they also make wine. I’ve tried a bunch of their alcoholic ciders and wines and have yet to be disappointed. This is first on the list because I literally just ordered six bottles from them — half to keep, the other half as gifts — and in doing so had the idea to write this full list. They’re particularly excellent if you like something more unique or a little funky, but they offer a broad range of options and include details about taste that will help you pick something that suits you! Their Less Is More Pet Nat is particularly famous.
2. Spicewalla Spices and Herbs
This spice, herb, and blend company is one of North Carolina’s most famous. And with good reason! Consider their holiday 3-pack baking collection, which includes Apple Pie Spice, Pumpkin Spice, and Gingerbread Spice. Tell me that’s not a great gift for the baker in your life! There’s a pack geared towards heat lovers and BBQ grillers, too. You can find taco seasoning, French fry seasoning salt, Korean BBQ rub, garam masala, piri piri, and so much more. Spicewalla has a lot of fun options — a friend gave us their 3-pack collaboration with T-Pain (yes, that T-Pain!) as a gift recently and honestly, that’s brilliant. (Thanks, Rachael!)
3. French Broad Chocolate
Another brand with a national profile, French Broad Chocolates is known for its exceptional products. You could gift someone dark chocolate espresso beans, bonbons, hot chocolate, and of course a whole range of chocolate bars. You can also take it a step further and gift somebody a subscription! If anybody in my family is reading this, that’s what I want.
4. Wicked Weed Plush Dog Toy
It’s not surprising that one of the nation’s premiere breweries — known particularly for its sour beers and IPAs — sells a whole range of beer paraphrenalia, including apparel, glassware, a tap handle, and tote bags. But the most unique are the plush dog toys shaped like beer cans. Your furry friend could always use a new toy!
5. Dynamite Roasting Co. Coffee
Coffee culture is big in Asheville, and the city has several coffee companies including Dynamite and Chris at Peak Coffee. You can buy dark roasts, espresso blends, and even subscriptions for the coffeelovers in your life (or your own household).
6. DJ’s Pickles
Some people can’t live without pickles (my wife). We always have at least three jars in the fridge, often more. And sometimes there are finished jars sitting in there with just pickle juice left. Well, DJ’s Pickles will sell you the pickle juice itself, and cheap. That can be great for making cocktails at home or pickling, or if you’re like my wife, taking a swig. They also sell pickle chips, pickled red onions, and beets.
7. Cookbooks from Asheville Chefs
While generally a more indirect way to get funds to communities hit by Hurricane Helene, prioritizing cookbooks from chefs in Western North Carolina is still a worthwhile endeavor. You could grab Thoughtful Cooking: Recipes Rooted in the New South by Asheville chef William Dissen (you may remember we featured him on Food Fanatic earlier this year). You can also buy a signed copy of chef Katie Button’s Cúrate cookbook, grabbing it directly from the restaurant’s website. Go deluxe with her cookbook kit box. And don’t miss the newly released Our South: Black Food Through My Lens by Asheville’s Ashleigh Shanti!
8. Legally Addictive Cookies
You can give your loved one four party packs of snacks that come in a “gloriously hot pink box,” and I think that sounds like a pretty great way to celebrate the holidays. You choose from flavors like Churros, Everything Cookie, Chai Masala, and Mexican Hot Chocolate. There’s also a Peppermint Crunch, which would be my first choice.
9. Chai Pani and Botiwalla Apparel
Few restaurants are as celebrated as Asheville’s Chai Pani (or sister restaurant Botiwalla) and even fewer still have merch as cool. Their tiger zip-up hoodie is particularly eye-catching (as is the trucker hat with the same design), but there’s also a peacock crewneck, rickshaw T-shirt, and a rad mustard-colored Botiwalla sweatshirt. I might add one or two to my holiday wishlist! Plus $2 from every item sold goes directly to a fund for hurricane-affected Asheville employees.
10. Chemist Spirits Whiskey, Gin, and Vodka
Known for its gins including a navy strength and a rose gin (placed in “red wine-soaked oak barrels”), Chemist Spirits also sells and ships vodka and whiskey. Why not grab something like the Biltmore Single Malt, named for the region’s famous estate and tourist attraction? Sounds like a great way to toast to the region’s future. (There’s also a cheaper whiskey too, if you prefer.)
11. Spice Witch Chili Crisp
If there’s someone in your life who loves a little heat, this wildly popular approach that’s swept the country is a great gift option. Whether you want chili oil for the table, spicy honey chili crisp to drizzle over your cooking, or a spicy umami black garlic, Spice Witch has it all.
12. Cúrate’s Porrón
Drinking is supposed to be social and fun. That’s where the porrón comes in. A 1/2 L glass container that originated in Spain, it’s designed for you to pour wine (or beer or cider) directly into your mouth. Great for the wine lover or party animal in your life, or anyone with open shelving, home bar, or other way to display this beauty. Cúrate sells a ton of other great food-themed gifts too, including a paella starter pack, fancy olive oil, and sardines.
13. Sugar & Snow Gelato
This should be pretty self-explanatory — who doesn’t want incredibly satisfying gelato shipped directly to their door? I sure as hell do. The Caramel Apple is particularly seasonally appropriate, but you’ll also find Cookies & Cream, Mango Sorbet, Mountain Berry Crisp, Salted Caramel Swirl, and more.
14. Nine Mile Hot Sauces
This Caribbean restaurant also sells its own hot sauces (and merch including hats). The best way to go is the Trinity 3-pack. It includes the RED-i with chipotle peppers, tomatillo-based Hempress Rising, and Sun Is Shining with mango, ginger, and curry.
15. Sister of Mother Earth Honey
Honey is such a great way to sweeten your food. And why not slurge on something special, like local honey infused with flavors like elderberry? I can’t think of anything much more Asheville than the name of this business, and it’s a way to taste the region even if you can’t be there in person. By the way, they also sell fire cider and elderberry syrup.
16. Burial Beer
One of the must-visit stops on any Asheville brewery tour (something the city is famous for) is Burial. The heavy metal vibes of the packaging match beer names like Draped in Ashen Cloaks Double IPA and Portal Through the Meaninglessness of Nonexistence Imperial Stout. (I promise I didn’t make that up.) If there’s a beer nerd in your life, they probably know about Burial, and they’d be thrilled to receive one of these bottles or cans.
17. Botanical Bones Dog Treats
Whether you want to spoil your own pet or aren’t sure what to get your sister but know she’s obsessed with her dog (yes I am talking about myself), these dog bones are sure to please. With very Asheville names like Inner Glow and Flower Power, you’ll feel like you’re in AsheVegas.
18. Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn
You’ve probably seen them at The Fresh Market, Whole Foods, Total Wine, and other retailers. But Poppy is based in Asheville! Give someone their Asheville Mix with white cheddar and salted caramel to make your intention clear, or opt for other favorites such as Dill Pickle or Pimento Cheese… or choose a gift set.
19. Appalachian DiviniTEA Tea Infuser
I don’t drink coffee — can’t stand the taste. But I do happily enjoy tea, and this mountain-based company has a bunch of choices including maitake mint mushroom tea, rooibos herbal tea, and Darjeeling organic tea. That’s great if you’re shopping for yourself, but I think a better gift would be their tea infuser. It’s beautiful, functional, and feels like more of a present.
20. Darë Vegan Cheese
Vegan cheese has evolved a lot in recent years. You’d be surprised by the variety offered by a company like Darë, which includes Gouda, Balsamic Fig, Mozzarella, and even a whole cheesecake. Pretty wild. Consider buying your vegan cousin a gift box. In very Ashevillian style, they also sell a tarot card-themed hoodie.
21. Highland Brewing Stemless Beer Glass
Beer lovers need good glassware. Featuring the beloved Highland Brewing’s compass logo (which includes “Asheville, NC” at the bottom), these uniquely shaped glasses are another excellent option from Beer City, USA.
But Wait… There’s More!
In addition to these gifts that fund hurricane relief, here’s one more suggestion: plan a trip to the North Carolina mountains for the spring or fall of 2025, and purchase gift cards to arrange everything in advance.
Here are some must-visit restaurants where you can buy gift cards now:
- Vivian
- Buxton Chicken Palace
- Pack’s Tavern
- Asheville Pizza & Brewing
- Asheville Charcuterie Company (workshops, boards, and more)
- The Hop Ice Cream
- AVL Cake Lady
- All Souls Pizza
You can even book a private chef or a cooking class! Western North Carolina and beyond will need our support for a long time, but hopefully, these food gifts that fund hurricane relief will give you a place to start and a way to put your holiday spending toward a worthy cause.