What groceries/products/household goods are from blue states?
February 2, 2025 7:24 PM Subscribe
Inspired by our neighbor to the North, how can I make my day to day purchases play a tiny impact?
I would like to increase my spending for items with companies located in blue states and reduce my spending for items produced in red states during this trade war. I know my weekly household spending will have minimal impact overall, but I’d still like to see if this is doable. I’m also interested in Mexican and Canadian goods, products, and brands that I could increase my spending on while their exporters deal with these tariffs. Can you help me think of things to purchase or avoid? If helpful, I am located mid coast on the East Coast.
I would like to increase my spending for items with companies located in blue states and reduce my spending for items produced in red states during this trade war. I know my weekly household spending will have minimal impact overall, but I’d still like to see if this is doable. I’m also interested in Mexican and Canadian goods, products, and brands that I could increase my spending on while their exporters deal with these tariffs. Can you help me think of things to purchase or avoid? If helpful, I am located mid coast on the East Coast.
Best answer: Cabot Creamery is a Vermont-based dairy cooperative of many New England farms.
posted by justkevin at 8:14 PM on February 2 [7 favorites]
posted by justkevin at 8:14 PM on February 2 [7 favorites]
Best answer: It's headquartered in Wisconsin, which went for Trump in the last election, but I definitely suggest buying from Penzey's. Do you drink tea? Here's a place in Canada: Acquired Taste Tea Company that does mail order.
posted by gudrun at 8:31 PM on February 2 [14 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 8:31 PM on February 2 [14 favorites]
Please feel free to disregard if this doesn't really address your exact question, but assuming you live in a blue state, the best way to achieve your goal is to buy local as much as possible. Make sure to go out of the way to find winter farmers' markets. See if you can find a small farm that will sell you eggs, dairy, and meat. Buy all your bread and baked goods from a local bakery.
posted by ojocaliente at 10:00 PM on February 2 [7 favorites]
posted by ojocaliente at 10:00 PM on February 2 [7 favorites]
Best answer: also check out Goods Unite Us, where you can find the D vs R political donations of many many companies.
posted by changeling at 10:19 PM on February 2 [8 favorites]
posted by changeling at 10:19 PM on February 2 [8 favorites]
Also, if you happen to have a local grocery co-op near you, the grocers there may be able to talk about where they source their stock from.
posted by neuracnu at 12:00 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
posted by neuracnu at 12:00 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
Haven’t done a deep dive on them, but Beecher’s cheese is from Washington and they make some very nice frozen stuff in addition to their cheese.
Truthfully though, every state is a patchwork of red and blue - it’s easily argued that Washington is a red sea with a blue island on the west, and this has been the case with nearly every place I’ve lived. And the rural parts where food and consumable goods are most commonly produced (because of the price of land and storage space) are usually going to be the more conservative chunks even of larger liberal metropolitan areas. I think our time is better spent researching companies that treat their workers right and make quality things, like King Arthur Flour, or finding sources for reliable local produce to cut down on transportation burdens, than focusing in on the policies of assholes and trying to be an individual solving a systemic problem.
posted by Mizu at 12:13 AM on February 3 [21 favorites]
Truthfully though, every state is a patchwork of red and blue - it’s easily argued that Washington is a red sea with a blue island on the west, and this has been the case with nearly every place I’ve lived. And the rural parts where food and consumable goods are most commonly produced (because of the price of land and storage space) are usually going to be the more conservative chunks even of larger liberal metropolitan areas. I think our time is better spent researching companies that treat their workers right and make quality things, like King Arthur Flour, or finding sources for reliable local produce to cut down on transportation burdens, than focusing in on the policies of assholes and trying to be an individual solving a systemic problem.
posted by Mizu at 12:13 AM on February 3 [21 favorites]
Best answer: Modela beer
Corona beer
Coors (Colorado?)
Molson
Labatt's
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:52 AM on February 3
Corona beer
Coors (Colorado?)
Molson
Labatt's
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:52 AM on February 3
If I could understand what your goal is, it might help me answer. How do you feel about Canadian products sold in red states? Is the goal to buy from a Mexican or Canadian worker rather than a US worker? I am pretty sure red state workers have the same mortgages and obligations as blue state workers. What about a product like something from My Pillow that is owned by a far right person but based in Minnesota, a blue state?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:03 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 1:03 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
Well, my state is generally a blue wall state although it went to Trump in 2016 and 2024. We have Kelchners Horseradish (and other products) produced here, locally to me. It appears the horseradish root they buy to create the horseradish product is mostly from Canada or Illinois. Sounds like it would meet your criteria, but.....
We have other local businesses I could point you to here in this area, that are extremely MAGA and have hosted Trump nepo babies at their events.
I don't know about this particular business, Kelchners, either way. I don't know what their employment practices are like, their politics, whether they are good community members, how the owners are individually.
But if you are looking for horseradish products made in a traditionally blue state from root purchased from Canada or another blue state, I can offer Kelchners.
I think these questions of where we spend our dollars and how we use them to target people maybe that need more support, are so difficult. Sometimes it feels like a challenge from The Good Place where no purchasing is good actually because it all ends up enriching people I don't want to enrich (I know this is not universally true). Choosing smaller or family businesses helps for me but isn't always possible.
I'm surrounded by farms, yay support local farmers! Buy local produce! Okay but every election season they have huge MAGA signs. Some think they're being smart by not putting up a Trump sign, but then they have signs for Trump acolytes who will vote for anything daddy tells them to. Or you see them show up at a local school board meeting arguing in favor of anti-lgbtq policies.
I'm not challenging the premise of your question, and I'm looking to make those kinds of decisions too, when I can. It's been really hard and I'll be following any answers that you get. I'm also going to spend some of my time this morning sitting around NPO waiting for a medical procedure, seeing if I can dig any dirt either way on Kelchners' owners politics and work practices.
posted by fennario at 2:33 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
We have other local businesses I could point you to here in this area, that are extremely MAGA and have hosted Trump nepo babies at their events.
I don't know about this particular business, Kelchners, either way. I don't know what their employment practices are like, their politics, whether they are good community members, how the owners are individually.
But if you are looking for horseradish products made in a traditionally blue state from root purchased from Canada or another blue state, I can offer Kelchners.
I think these questions of where we spend our dollars and how we use them to target people maybe that need more support, are so difficult. Sometimes it feels like a challenge from The Good Place where no purchasing is good actually because it all ends up enriching people I don't want to enrich (I know this is not universally true). Choosing smaller or family businesses helps for me but isn't always possible.
I'm surrounded by farms, yay support local farmers! Buy local produce! Okay but every election season they have huge MAGA signs. Some think they're being smart by not putting up a Trump sign, but then they have signs for Trump acolytes who will vote for anything daddy tells them to. Or you see them show up at a local school board meeting arguing in favor of anti-lgbtq policies.
I'm not challenging the premise of your question, and I'm looking to make those kinds of decisions too, when I can. It's been really hard and I'll be following any answers that you get. I'm also going to spend some of my time this morning sitting around NPO waiting for a medical procedure, seeing if I can dig any dirt either way on Kelchners' owners politics and work practices.
posted by fennario at 2:33 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Agreed with Mixu:
Truthfully though, every state is a patchwork of red and blue - it’s easily argued that Washington is a red sea with a blue island on the west, and this has been the case with nearly every place I’ve lived. And the rural parts where food and consumable goods are most commonly produced (because of the price of land and storage space) are usually going to be the more conservative chunks even of larger liberal metropolitan areas. I think our time is better spent researching companies that treat their workers right and make quality things, like King Arthur Flour, or finding sources for reliable local produce to cut down on transportation burdens, than focusing in on the policies of assholes and trying to be an individual solving a systemic problem.
Also: restricting this to "blue" states, Canada, and Mexico will exclude Washington, DC and Puerto Rico by design. DC is one of the most reliably "blue" places but, yanno, not a state, so here we we are.
posted by wicked_sassy at 4:09 AM on February 3
Truthfully though, every state is a patchwork of red and blue - it’s easily argued that Washington is a red sea with a blue island on the west, and this has been the case with nearly every place I’ve lived. And the rural parts where food and consumable goods are most commonly produced (because of the price of land and storage space) are usually going to be the more conservative chunks even of larger liberal metropolitan areas. I think our time is better spent researching companies that treat their workers right and make quality things, like King Arthur Flour, or finding sources for reliable local produce to cut down on transportation burdens, than focusing in on the policies of assholes and trying to be an individual solving a systemic problem.
Also: restricting this to "blue" states, Canada, and Mexico will exclude Washington, DC and Puerto Rico by design. DC is one of the most reliably "blue" places but, yanno, not a state, so here we we are.
posted by wicked_sassy at 4:09 AM on February 3
Response by poster: Keep the ideas coming, please! And please focus on answering the question asked rather than philosophizing. Thank you!
posted by donut_princess at 4:10 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
posted by donut_princess at 4:10 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
I can't speak for their product sourcing, but Costco at least is reputed to treat its employees right.
posted by humbug at 4:59 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
posted by humbug at 4:59 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Though they both have operations in every state, I'll note that Pepsi is headquartered in NY while Coke is HQ'd in Georgia.
The Pepperidge Farm bakery was founded in Westport, CT.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:02 AM on February 3
The Pepperidge Farm bakery was founded in Westport, CT.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:02 AM on February 3
Best answer: These should be nationally available:
McCormick Spices and other products (including Old Bay)
Pompeian Olive Oil
Guinness Blonde and a few other flavors of beer
Goetze's Candy Caramel Creams and Cowtales
Sagamore Spirit
Under Armour
Some more regional items where your location should have access are (but most are also online):
Berger Cookies and Cakes
Otterbein Cookies
Fisher's Popcorn
Lots of MD based breweries. vineyards and bakeries with regional distribution (and some national)
posted by maxg94 at 6:36 AM on February 3
McCormick Spices and other products (including Old Bay)
Pompeian Olive Oil
Guinness Blonde and a few other flavors of beer
Goetze's Candy Caramel Creams and Cowtales
Sagamore Spirit
Under Armour
Some more regional items where your location should have access are (but most are also online):
Berger Cookies and Cakes
Otterbein Cookies
Fisher's Popcorn
Lots of MD based breweries. vineyards and bakeries with regional distribution (and some national)
posted by maxg94 at 6:36 AM on February 3
I'm surrounded by farms, yay support local farmers! Buy local produce! Okay but every election season they have huge MAGA signs.
This is very true, but if you're thinking of boycotting small farms in your area, it's still better to have small farms owned by people who voted for Trump than to have them go under and bought up for massive scale corporate farming by, for example, Bayer (which bought Monsanto).
posted by ojocaliente at 6:55 AM on February 3 [2 favorites]
This is very true, but if you're thinking of boycotting small farms in your area, it's still better to have small farms owned by people who voted for Trump than to have them go under and bought up for massive scale corporate farming by, for example, Bayer (which bought Monsanto).
posted by ojocaliente at 6:55 AM on February 3 [2 favorites]
Best answer: Here's a link to a previous AskMeFi that may be useful: "Send Me Food! I need your suggestions on fun places in the USA where I can order occasional online shipments of regional food treats."
Telling MeFites to focus on answering the question rather than philosophizing seems like pretty wishful thinking. Make sure to ignore suggestions for DC, since that's not a state, as I said in my first "philosophical" answer to this post.
posted by wicked_sassy at 8:01 AM on February 3 [2 favorites]
Telling MeFites to focus on answering the question rather than philosophizing seems like pretty wishful thinking. Make sure to ignore suggestions for DC, since that's not a state, as I said in my first "philosophical" answer to this post.
posted by wicked_sassy at 8:01 AM on February 3 [2 favorites]
We have some liberal owned Lefty co-op farms in our area too, so I'm buying in to csa's for some of them. My point was just it's not enough to know that the farm is in a blue state, so I recommend additional research to create a short list of preferred vendors once the long list is compiled.
posted by fennario at 8:19 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
posted by fennario at 8:19 AM on February 3 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Fair point wickedsassy. I should have said getting into the weeds rather than philosophizing. Just trying to avoid a in depth derail and instead find the resources I was asking about. Thanks for the previous ask link!
posted by donut_princess at 8:36 AM on February 3
posted by donut_princess at 8:36 AM on February 3
Best answer: Maple syrup is sourced from the northern parts of the US and particularly norther New England.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:43 AM on February 3
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:43 AM on February 3
Best answer: Tillamook (ice cream, cheese, and butter) is headquartered in Oregon
Beaver Mustard and other items, like horseradish, is also in Oregon.
Pepperidge Farms, mentioned above, has been bought by Campbells, like many other brands. Looks like Campbell's is based in NJ.
Ben & Jerry's is still located in Vermont, but has been bought by Unilever, a British company with North American headquarters in NJ. Unilever also owns many, many brands.
Looking into this, SO MANY small companies have been bought by big corps (no surprise). Some have kept their original hq locations; some have not. See's Candy, for example, is a California company that was apparently bought by Berkshire Hathaway in the 1970s.
posted by hydra77 at 9:03 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Beaver Mustard and other items, like horseradish, is also in Oregon.
Pepperidge Farms, mentioned above, has been bought by Campbells, like many other brands. Looks like Campbell's is based in NJ.
Ben & Jerry's is still located in Vermont, but has been bought by Unilever, a British company with North American headquarters in NJ. Unilever also owns many, many brands.
Looking into this, SO MANY small companies have been bought by big corps (no surprise). Some have kept their original hq locations; some have not. See's Candy, for example, is a California company that was apparently bought by Berkshire Hathaway in the 1970s.
posted by hydra77 at 9:03 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Coors (Colorado?)
Molson
MolsenCoors is a Canadian/American conglomerate that also owns Miller (among many, many others) prior to the merger Coors was recognizably evil, including helping found the Heritage Foundation
posted by Dr. Twist at 9:51 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Molson
MolsenCoors is a Canadian/American conglomerate that also owns Miller (among many, many others) prior to the merger Coors was recognizably evil, including helping found the Heritage Foundation
posted by Dr. Twist at 9:51 AM on February 3 [4 favorites]
Best answer: Olympia Provisions is a fantastic, if expensive, source for charcuterie and sausages, based in Portland, OR.
Smith Tea is also based in Portland, OR and they have excellent teas, I especially like their peppermint. Harney & Sons is also a source of tea, based in Connecticut.
Seconding Penzey's for spices. I'm not sure where Diaspora is based but they certainly have "blue state" values and are my preference for Indian spices. Similarly, Burlap & Barrel, which I like for gifts and a few particular spices.
The Meadow is a neat store with locations in Porland and New York. They have an amazing selection of chocolate, salts, and cocktail ingredients. Fantastic for sending gifts or just stocking up on salt & chocolate.
King Arthur Flour was already mentioned.
Stonewall Kitchen is based in Maine and owned by a private equity based in Boston. Their products can be found in many grocery stores in my part of mid-east coast, at least.
North Country Smokehouse is based in New Hampshire. They have fantastic organic bacon, canadian bacon, ham, etc. You can find them in grocery stores around here.
If you have a garden, Hudson Valley Seed is based in NY.
Big Night is a store with pantry-type goods based in NY.
Gustiamo and Alma Gourmet are Italian-food stores based in NY that ship. The later is much smaller than the former and often cheaper.
Valley Shephard Creamery is a cheese company based in New Jersey.
Northbound Coffee Roasters are a small company based in California.
Mood Fabrics is based in NYC.
Dogfish Head Brewery started in Delaware but is owned by Sam Adams now (which maybe is still Boston-based).
Coffeeaddicts.us sells coffee equipment and is in Canada.
posted by miscbuff at 10:25 AM on February 3 [3 favorites]
Smith Tea is also based in Portland, OR and they have excellent teas, I especially like their peppermint. Harney & Sons is also a source of tea, based in Connecticut.
Seconding Penzey's for spices. I'm not sure where Diaspora is based but they certainly have "blue state" values and are my preference for Indian spices. Similarly, Burlap & Barrel, which I like for gifts and a few particular spices.
The Meadow is a neat store with locations in Porland and New York. They have an amazing selection of chocolate, salts, and cocktail ingredients. Fantastic for sending gifts or just stocking up on salt & chocolate.
King Arthur Flour was already mentioned.
Stonewall Kitchen is based in Maine and owned by a private equity based in Boston. Their products can be found in many grocery stores in my part of mid-east coast, at least.
North Country Smokehouse is based in New Hampshire. They have fantastic organic bacon, canadian bacon, ham, etc. You can find them in grocery stores around here.
If you have a garden, Hudson Valley Seed is based in NY.
Big Night is a store with pantry-type goods based in NY.
Gustiamo and Alma Gourmet are Italian-food stores based in NY that ship. The later is much smaller than the former and often cheaper.
Valley Shephard Creamery is a cheese company based in New Jersey.
Northbound Coffee Roasters are a small company based in California.
Mood Fabrics is based in NYC.
Dogfish Head Brewery started in Delaware but is owned by Sam Adams now (which maybe is still Boston-based).
Coffeeaddicts.us sells coffee equipment and is in Canada.
posted by miscbuff at 10:25 AM on February 3 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Another reference for made in Canada goods i've seen floating around recently: https://madeinca.ca/
posted by cgg at 11:46 AM on February 3
posted by cgg at 11:46 AM on February 3
Best answer: How could I forget Bob's Red Mill for all your grain needs! Employee-owned and based in Oregon. And if you're nearby (Milwaukie OR), their bulk section is great!
posted by hydra77 at 1:32 PM on February 3 [5 favorites]
posted by hydra77 at 1:32 PM on February 3 [5 favorites]
Best answer: I'm a huge fan of Curio Spice Co. (a woman-owned Certified Benefit Corporation based in Cambridge, MA). In addition to spices, herbs, and spice blends, they also have a few teas / hot chocolate / additional kitchen supplies.
Taza Chocolate is also fantastic; they're in Somerville, MA and work closely with their growers / suppliers.
posted by rebekah at 11:17 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
Taza Chocolate is also fantastic; they're in Somerville, MA and work closely with their growers / suppliers.
posted by rebekah at 11:17 AM on February 4 [1 favorite]
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posted by taz (staff) at 8:42 PM on February 7
posted by taz (staff) at 8:42 PM on February 7
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