The 10 Best Indie Food Companies In New York City

Sticking to the classics, Better Off Spread delivers an array of unique nut butters sure to liven up your trusty PB and Js. Ranging from sweet to savory, the couple-run company offers exciting flavors such as spicy jalapeño and white chocolate cinnamon. With Better Off Spread’s organic, natural ingredients and complex flavor varieties, your favorite lunch box staple just got a tasty grown-up twist.

Taking the junk out of ‘junk food,’ FIELD TRIP delivers all-natural jerky with none of the artificial ingredients but all of the flavor. The health conscious team behind this passion project produces beef and turkey jerky in tasty flavors such as honey spice, teriyaki, and crushed chili. With zero preservatives, additives, or gluten, FIELD TRIP provides a road-trip staple that won’t slow you down.

Nostalgic noshers will love Megpies, a Brooklyn business serving all natural pop tarts resembling your favorite grab-and-go breakfast from back in the day. Today’s incarnation of tart treats comes in elevated flavors including spiced pear, rich chocolate ganache, and salted caramel apple. From sidewalk bake sales to Smorgasburg stands, Megpies is one of the local indie food scene’s sweetest success stories.

Whatever cooking conundrum comes your way, Mike’s Hot Honey is the solution. From fried chicken and pizza to fruits and cheeses, this chile-infused honey is great on everything. Mike’s creative condiment has earned a superhero status amongst local restaurants and grocers and is ready to save your day — or meal — at hot spots including Paulie Gee’s, Sweet Chick, and Dean and DeLuca.

For those in denial of the season’s dropping temperatures, indie wine brand Yes Way Rosé is still serving up ‘summer water,’ a light yet flavorful rosé born for beating those winter blues. Thanks to the creative women behind this fashion-world favorite, you can now enjoy the taste of summer all year long.

Little Bird’s unexpected treats prove great things come from getting curious in the kitchen. The husband-and-wife duo behind this Queens-based operation specializes in ‘curious confections,’ including chocolate-covered candied jalapeños and sweet-and-spicy chocolate bark. Offered in dark, milk, and white chocolate varieties, Little Bird’s bite-sized snacks are the perfect purchase for adventurous appetites.

Marrying tradition and innovation, Brooklyn Brittle reinvents a classic underrated snack with natural ingredients and complex flavors. The brand’s handcrafted brittle comes in both sweet and savory varieties, including espresso chocolate chip, pistachio olive, and cinnamon walnut. An all-purpose snack staple for wine pairings, cheese boards, and breakfast bites, Brooklyn Brittle’s retro treat just might be better than mom used to make.

New York’s kale craze isn’t over just yet, and Brooklyn business The Kale Factory makes a strong case for its continuation. Spicy miso kale chips, sweet chipotle ‘kale krackers,’ and coconut-date ‘greenola’ are just a sampling of the flavorful vegan fare. With its kosher, dairy-free, and gluten-free snack options, The Kale Factory makes healthy eating easier than ever.

Knowing that the best part of baking is the batter, the passionate baker behind DŌ delivers the dish of your childhood dreams — cookie dough that’s safe to eat. Catering to both kids and kids-at-heart, this one-woman operation offers over twenty flavor varieties ranging from classic chocolate chip to inventive options such as peanut butter and jelly and trail mix. Also offering vegan, dairy-free, and organic options, DŌ ensures there’s nothing guilty about this pleasure.

Each cup from Brooklyn-based tea brand Chai Mookie is brimming with flavor and health benefits thanks to all-star ingredients like black pepper, cinnamon, and ginger. The brand’s flavored blends also feature exciting add-ons such as cacao, espresso, and green tea. Using only the freshest ingredients from Fair Trade markets, Chai Mookie encourages a healthy body and a happy conscience.