We’re pleased to give a shout-out to some of our favorite vendors and tastemakers during Black history month—and all year round.
It’s Poppin’
We wrote about Smooth Pops when they debuted in our store this past summer, and they’ve been a hit ever since, selling daily even now in winter. Movitza Simmons is a New York mom who wanted wholesome summer snacks for her then-infant son. Disappointed by the preservative-loaded selection available to her, she set out to make her own. Now they make a delicious, whole-fruit treat for all ages! Just ask her son—he’s still Smooth Pops’ official taster.
Follow Smooth Pops on Instagram: @iluvsmoothpops
Vegan Vibes
If you’re a little too chilly to have a frozen treat right now, no worries. West African soups are an easy grab at Provisions! Egunsi’s vegan soups are a modern take on classic West African flavors. Founder ‘Yemisi Awosan’s hope is that not only will these soups bring her West African heritage the visibility it deserves, they’ll also inspire people to try their own hand at West African recipes.
Follow Egunsi Foods on Instagram: @egunsifoods
As for other producers in our store, we’d like to highlight Spicegrove’s spicy hibiscus drink, a mainstay in our beverage case. Its blend of spices and fruit make it as perfect for cooling off as it is for warming up, and it makes a great mixer too! As for Miss Marjorie’s plaintain chips, well, there’s never enough that can be said. Miss Marjorie’s plaintain chips—long-cut, steel drum plaintain chips—are a signature snack from the Seattle restaurant, and certainly a favorite amongst Provisions staff. We also stock fresh pecans, grown in Georgia by a grassroots organization, New Communities, that works to empower Black farmers and bring justice to the growing community.
Follow Spicegrove on Instagram: @spicegroveroselle
Follow Miss Marjorie’s on Instagram: @marjorieseattle
Read about New Communities here
To discover even more inspiring Black food personalities and emerging brands, follow @blackfoodfolks, a groundbreaking new organization founded by Colleen Vincent,
Director, Culinary Community Initiatives The James Beard Foundation @ms_collycol and noted photographer Clay Williams @ultraclay.