Check out our highlighted companies below, followed by even more products in every department this week, all featured at special prices so that you can feel extra good about celebrating!

Note: All prices in effect through March 12, 2024 at all four Oliver’s Market locations.

Supporting women-owned, -founded, and -led businesses is an investment into a future of economic success, innovation, and equality, and helps shape the way young girls see themselves as they grow and develop into leaders.

But First, Some History…

As with many struggles for recognition throughout American history, Women’s History Month required years of effort to achieve. Its origins as a national celebration began in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

Met Our Women Food & Beverage Makers: Founders, Owners and Leaders

We asked our buying team to select some of their favorite women producers and their products, so without further ado, here they are!

Top Seedz

• Top Seedz is a woman owned business which started in 2017 in Buffalo, NY. They hand-make seed crackers and roasted seeds, and have recently started selling raw seeds and seed cracker mix (think of a cake mix for crackers). All of their products are organic, gluten-free, vegan and delicious.

Featured Item: Top Seedz Crackers, Selected Varieties, 5 oz. Package, $5.49

COOKIE…take a bite!

• COOKIE…take a bite! is a local woman founded, -owned, and -led business from Tracy Mattson that produces all natural, artisan cookies. Tracy was working as a Pastry Chef, putting in long hours when she realized that if she was going to work this hard, it should be for herself. Doing one thing, and doing it well is the motto of COOKIE…take a bite! They use as many local and organic ingredients as possible, along with a dash of love. Being a strong community partner is important to the business and they help many local organizations.

Featured Item: COOKIE…take a bite! Cookies, 2 oz. Package, Selected Varieties, $2.99 LOCAL

Epicurean Solutions Salads

• Epicurean Solutions is a woman owned, -founded and -led business from Julia Li and Moira Tokatyan. They are known for artisan, small batch vegan and vegetarian deli salads. Their passion is translated through every hand-picked fresh herb, each homemade dressing and all hand cut ingredients. Being a vegetarian company does not hinder but encourages their creativity and adventurous flavor profiles. Epicurean was founded by Moira Tokatyan’s deep culinary passion, and love for the Bay Area. In 2022, the torch was passed to Julia Li, where she continues to deliver high quality artisan salads to loyal fans.

Featured Items:
Epicurean Solutions Sriracha Glass Noodle Salad, $9.99/lb. (Women Founded/Owned/Led)
Epicurean Solutions Bow “Thai” Pasta Salad, $9.99/lb. (Women Founded/Owned/Led)

Mama Mel’s Bread

• Mama Mel’s Bread is a woman owned, -founded, and -led nosiness from Melissa Wenzel. They make artisan gluten-free bread products such as sourdough levain loaves, baguettes, bagels and pizza dough. Melissa began her gluten-free bread-baking adventures shortly after becoming a mother to her twin girls in 2009. Knowing that she was gluten-intolerant and likely had Celiac disease, she decided to be cautious with her daughters as well. Most of their products are not only gluten-free but also free of egg, dairy, nuts, corn, and soy. They are made with traditional breadmaking techniques in a dedicated gluten free kitchen.

Featured Item: Mama Mel’s Gluten Free Pizza Dough, 12 oz. Package, $3.99/ea. LOCAL

Nixie Sparkling Water

• Nixie Sparkling Water is a woman founded and-led business from Nicole Dawes that makes organic, flavored sparkling water. Founder & CEO Nicole Dawes and her team are devoted to transforming the beverage industry by creating products people drink for the taste and love for the mission! Sugar avoidance and clean water are top priorities for consumers. Nixie sparkling waters are purified using reverse osmosis filtration and tested for PFAS. All are USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, vegan, gluten-free, kosher, and contain zero calories, sugars, or sweeteners. Nixie is a friendly NorCal neighbor to Oliver’s, headquartered in Larkspur.

Featured Item: Nixie Sparkling Water, 8 pack/12 oz. Cans, Selected Varieties, $3.99+CRV

Ross Ranch Vineyards

• This woman founded, owned and led company began when Claudia and Keith Ross purchased Ross Ranch in 2018, pursuing their dream of owning a vineyard dedicated to creating exceptional wine for their Ross Ranch wine label, which they previously established in 2002. Having purchased the property in Knights Valley which offers an exceptional combination of volcanic rich soil and a microclimate of warm days and cool nights for growing world class Cabernet Sauvignon, the Ross’ were soon able to expand their vision by planting their roots to create their own wine estate.

Featured Item: Ross Ranch Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Alexander Valley, $16.99+CRV

Tomatero Farm

• Woman owned Tomatero Farm is a first generation, mid-sized farm based in Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties in California. Founded by Adriana Silva. The name “Tomatero” means tomato picker. The farm grows a mix of vegetable row crops, strawberries, blackberries and tomatoes, providing steady, year-round employment for its farm crew.

Featured Item: Organic Bunched Red Chard, Grown by Tomatero Farm in Watsonville, CA, $1.49/ea

Andalou Naturals

• Woman founded Andalou Naturals brings the world of natural innovation and the latest ingredient biotechnology. You deserve results, and it’s their goal to give you natural beauty, precisely. They believe you should never have to compromise ethics in favor of efficacy. That’s why they’re 98% nature-derived, Non-GMO, and vegetarian with a large vegan offering, Plus, they’re gluten free and cruelty free — they never test on animals.

Featured: Andalou Naturals Body Lotions, Selected Varieties, 8 oz. Tube, $8.99

More Female-Led Deliciousness!

Check out all of these other featured items this week that are not only delicious and of excellent quality, but also share women leadership as another quality they have in common.

• Bosphorus Bakery Baklava, 9 Count/6.5 oz. Package, $9.99 (please leave a space for the founded/owned/led)
• Point Reyes Toma or Original Blue, $15.99/lb. (Woman Owned)
• Larabar Fruit and Nut Bars, Selected Varieties, 1.76 oz Bar, 10 for $10 (Woman Founded)
• Maya Kaimal Everyday Dal, 10 oz Package, $3.29, (Woman Founded)
• Lily’s Sweets Baking Chips, 9 oz Bag, $5.49 (Woman Founded)
• Pamela’s Gluten Free Baking and Pancake Mix, 4 lb. Bag, $12.99 (Woman Founded)
• Organic Red Cabbage, Grown by Brisa Ranch in CA, $1.29/lb.
• Evanhealy Ritual Kits, Selected Varieties, 5 Piece Kit, $22.99 (please leave space for the founded/owned/led)
• slo Natural Beauty Aluminum Free Deodorant, Selected Varieties, 55g Tube, $8.99 (Women Founded)
• Carol Shelton Zinfandel, 2021 Mendocino County, $14.99+CRV (Woman Founded/Owned/Led)
• Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc, 2022 Sonoma County, $16.99+CRV (Woman Winemaker)
• Sonoma Coast Spirits Cranberry or Lemon Drop Vodka, $9.99+CRV (Women Owned)
• Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier, 2022 Clarksburg, $12.99+CRV (Woman Winemaker)

We are grateful for the many wonderful women businesses we are featuring this week. Thank you for all that you do every day to enhance our lives through your vision, hard work, and delicious products. Salud!