Local gift ideas for a snack hoarder (and yes, you can buy them for yourself)

We LOVE snacks. Well, who doesn’t?! For a gift to please even the pickiest people, we have put many of our favorite, local sweet-salty-savories in one place.

Whether you show up with one or two or bring a large assortment, anyone would be happy to have them (and, if you’re lucky, they might share with you).

We’re highlighting shelf-stable items so that you can do your planning and gifting without a fuss (or even mail them), but always remember that there are fresh items — cookies, breads, cheese, fruit, and vegetables — at our local bakeries and markets that are a welcome bounty as well. For fresh items needed for holiday parties, read our November 2019 article Slay your next holiday potluck with these no-prep local items.

The Snack Hoarder 

Here’s what to stuff your snack basket with

Sweet

• Cactus Candy — this succulent fruit candy comes with funky, retro packaging. Get yours at Maynards Market or order it online.
• Cheri’s Desert Harvest — Hello Jelly Candies from the desert — particularly the Prickly Pear Cactus flavor. You can also order a variety of locally sourced/made syrups, jams, jellies, and gift sets online.
• Monsoon Chocolate — for the chocolate lover (most of us), we recommend local award-winning chocolatier Monsoon Chocolate. Their beautiful bon-bons, chocolate bars, cocoa nibs, and deeelish new Cloud Cookies are all good choices. Get there early for the gift-giving season as they sell out quickly.

Read our article Tucson-based Monsoon Chocolate wins 14 international chocolate awards for more.

Savory

• Papa Mike’s Homemade Jerky is fabulous. This unusual stocking stuffer can be found at Maynards Market.
• Queen Creek Olive Mill — we were in despair when Queen Creek Olive Mill boarded up their local store. But, huzzah, they’re still operating up north and have a fabulous website to deliver any Queen Creek Olive Mill snack to your doorstep. Hint: get the Stuffed Olives and Sonoran Spicy Beans.

Read our article Exceptional Cold-Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Products & More at Queen Creek Olive Mill.

Salty

• Chips and Salsa — Check out our local tortilla chips and salsa suggestions in this article: Guide to 16 places crushing chips & salsa in Tucson.
• Green Valley Pecans — if you’re big on local (nuts), grab a bag (or five) of delicious Green Valley Pecans. There is a large assortment available from Maynards Market or get them online.
• SAS-Z-Nuts — With a name like that, you know they’ve got to be good. 😉 Get the tasty Willcox pistachios from Maynards Market.

Sweet, Savory & Salty

POPPED Artisan Popcorn — these local folks hit all of our crunchy cravings with their salty-sweet-hot variety. Kate, our editor, particularly enjoys the Rosemary Salted Caramel “for sure, no question” and the rest of us will happily munch on any of the edible products. Grab seasonal bests (all non-GMO and vegan) at a variety of local markets, including Maynards, Time Market, and Rincon Market and at Tap & Bottle and Pueblo Vida. Or take a look at what’s on offer online.

Read our article [POPPED] Artisan Popcorn: Local Business Bursts with Growth & Flavor in 2019.

But wait, there’s more

For more gift ideas, including collections with festive bottles, cozy drinks and eats, supplies for a home chef, cookbooks, and desert-influenced preserves, check out The Ultimate Food Lovers Gift Guide with Local Gifts from Tucson.