Some of the vendors whose products will be showcased in the Taste of Appalachia gift baskets listen during a news conference announcing the launch of the Advantage Valley initiative on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Terrell Ellis, president of Advantage Valley, speaks during a news conference announcing the launch of Taste of Appalachia on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Courtesy photo
Some of the vendors whose products will be showcased in the Taste of Appalachia gift baskets listen during a news conference announcing the launch of the Advantage Valley initiative on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Courtesy photo
Taste of Appalachia's WV Favorites Gift Set is displayed during a press conference held by Advantage Valley on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Courtesy photo
Terrell Ellis, president of Advantage Valley, speaks during a news conference announcing the launch of Taste of Appalachia on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
Courtesy photo
Taste of Appalachia gift boxes are displayed during a press conference held by Advantage Valley on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
CHARLESTON -- The leaves are barely falling and the school year is still new, but one nonprofit agency already has its sights set on the holidays -- and how gift-buying can benefit local food manufacturers.
Regional economic development nonprofit Advantage Valley has launched Taste of Appalachia, a strategic initiative aimed at supporting the growth and market expansion of food producers across the region this holiday season by selling a series of curated gift sets featuring locally made food products.
Taste of Appalachia’s online shopping portal is open now, featuring eight curated gift sets, each highlighting WV Grown products from businesses across Advantage Valley’s nine-county region — Boone, Cabell, Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Mason, Putnam and Wayne counties.
The gift sets, ranging in price from $30-$55, can be purchased through Oct. 17 at www.tasteofappalachia.com.
“As we look at economic development as a whole, true progress comes from supporting innovative entrepreneurs and helping them expand and thrive,†Terrell Ellis, president of Advantage Valley, said in a news release. “Many of the vendors featured in these gift sets have been working with Advantage Valley to strengthen their marketing and grow their networks. We recognized that the food manufacturers of our region needed a stronger voice, and this initiative creates a meaningful ‘buy local’ opportunity for this holiday season. We encourage businesses and employers to explore the creative themes of these gift sets and consider making purchases to support our local producers.â€
The West Virginia Department of Agriculture is volunteering its time to support WV Grown producers -- who are the vendors -- to assist Advantage Valley with the fulfillment of the gift sets, which will be assembled during November and will be scheduled for delivery after Thanksgiving. Standard shipping and delivery options will be available.Â
For shoppers who prefer to try before they buy, Advantage Valley will host the Taste of Appalachia Food Showcase from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, at J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Malden. This free, public event will offer attendees the opportunity to sample the products in the curated sets and connect with the artisans and small businesses behind them.
The day will conclude with Taste of Appalachia: An Evening of Appalachian Flavor, a cocktail reception presented by Marshall University from 4 to 7 p.m. at J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works. Tickets are $35 per person with proceeds supporting the program’s mission to help regional food producers scale their operations and develop sustainable, wholesale-ready business models. Tickets for the reception can be purchased at TasteofAppalachia.eventbrite.com.
Local producers Sugar Bottom Farm and Tipsy Roo’s are examples of how Advantage Valley’s initiatives, including the FASTER WV program, are helping small businesses grow and scale, according to the news release.
Sugar Bottom Farm, founded by veteran beekeeper Eric Grandon and his family, has expanded from a therapeutic beekeeping venture into a full-service honeybee operation with products in multiple retail locations and national e-commerce platforms. Similarly, Tipsy Roo’s, created by Mary and Travis Smith, has grown from a backyard barbecue favorite to a regional brand with more than 40 retail partners across West Virginia.
Both businesses credit the resources, coaching and connections provided through Advantage Valley for helping them expand their operations and access new markets, according to the release.
“As we launch Taste of Appalachia, our goal is to showcase the innovation and quality that define our region’s food producers,†Ellis said in the release. “These curated gift sets are a celebration of the hard work and creativity of local entrepreneurs. This holiday season, we encourage everyone to support local businesses and help us share the exceptional products our region has to offer with a broader audience. Our hope is to make Taste of Appalachia an annual event and a long-term initiative that continues to grow opportunities for our regional producers year after year.â€
