Photo: Seasoned Delicious Foods
Ulster County, located two hours north of NYC with historic and growing cities such as Kingston, Woodstock, Saugerties and beyond, have seen a growth of residents, and businesses, especially since the start of the pandemic. 90% of the local Ulster County’s economy is made up of small businesses, many of which are BIPOC-owned businesses, which have opened or expanding during COVID.
Ulster County was also recently awarded priority points as part of the statewide CARES spending, since the County has so many minority and women-owned businesses.
Two Black-owned businesses, Seasoned Delicious Foods and Edenesque Artisanal Nut Milks, are particularly noteworthy.
· Seasoned Delicious Foods (Online Shipping Available) – As a line of Caribbean, soul-inspired and health-conscious specialized food items including seasonings, hot sauces, spreads, spices, oils and more, Seasoned Delicious Foods was co-founded by Tamika Dunkley, a mother and registered nurse and dietitian specializing in cardiac critical care, and her husband Martin Dunkley.
Originally founded in 2014, Seasoned Delicious is a minority, female-owned small business that expanded and opened a brick-and-mortar shop during the pandemic, in addition to being available at local retail stores in the Hudson Valley. SDF also focuses on feeding their local community every week, by preparing meals along with grocery items for the underserved in Ulster County including families.
Patrons can also shop online which can be shipped throughout the U.S.
· Edenesque Artisanal Nut Milks (Online Shipping Available) – Created by chef and advocate of holistic nutrition Leslie Woodward, Edenesque is a Black-owned, woman-founded small business that started from the grassroots desire to make a positive change by making healthy food available in underserved communities.
Creating products including their signature nut milk without additives, preservatives, or stabilizers, Edenesque is certified organic, biodynamic, and fair trade, and offers employment to those with other employment barriers whether it’s previous incarceration, domestic violence survivors and various educational backgrounds.
Originally launched in 2014 and previously sold direct to consumers, Edenesque has grown during COVID with larger distributors as clients and a pilot program with Bard College. She is also moving their current manufacturing facility to a larger space in Ulster County in 2022.
To order online, visit https://edenesque.com/order-online for shipping throughout the U.S.
