America is facing Great Depression-level unemployment right now, and now more than ever, people are looking to support American businesses.

This interest in buying local is a ray of light in a very dark situation.

We are long time supporters of shopping local, especially in the US. I love when people keep their money in their communities, but what I love is that shopping local is so much better for the environment. When our things travel shorter distances, they use less fossil fuels. If we buy less and we buy local, we can change our relationship with consumerism and help prevent climate change.

Whether you are buying American for patriotic or environmental reasons, the first step is actually shopping secondhand. If you want to help the environment, secondhand purchases have the least impact, the least packaging, and usually travel the shortest distances.

Also, if you want to buy things that were made ethically and locally, they are going to be more expensive. You can easily offset that cost if you buy things you can get secondhand first.

For example, All-Clad pots are excellent, made in America, and freaking expensive. If you can't afford a full set, check Ebay first! Right now, they have tons of All Clad on the site. You could get most of what you need there, and then buy anything you can't find new. No one will be able to tell the difference.

I will link to the brands websites themselves, and to where you can also find them on Amazon, Etsy, etc. Some things are also available on Lehman's, which is a great spot. I am an Amazon and Etsy affiliate, so I get a tiny bit of money if you shop from those links; that said, don't buy on Amazon if you can find it from a smaller business, especially if it is local. The more we shop small businesses, the more we can help our neighbors survive.

As a second warning, not everything from these companies is manufactured in America. Always check, because things do change.

Ok, looking for great American-made kitchen stuff? Let's do this-

from Amazon

Pyrex

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

We use our pyrex mixing bowls , bakeware, and measuring cups every day. This American company is based in Illinois and manufactured in Pennsylvania. Some of its sibling companies were long made in America too, but you need check before you buy (Corelle is now often manufactured in China). Also, check out secondhand spaces for these! They last a long time.

Best Manufacturers

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

We went through multiple whisks before we found this Made in America company. They have an excellent collection of whisks, and they are so well-made. Ours is still doing great! Get this once and you won't ever have to buy one again.

Anchor Hocking

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Anchor Hocking has been making glassware in Ohio since 1905. You can find all the best kitchen storage and drinking glasses from them. They also make commercial glassware- we bought cups from them that have survived three boys, so you know it is serious stuff!

from Etsy

Marley's Monsters

Their Website
Buy it on Etsy

We absolutely love this Oregon-based shop- it offers all sorts of zero waste staples like unpaper towels, cloth sponges, snack bags, and (our favorite) bowl covers. We can reuse these items hundreds of times, so they save us money in the end as well.

Epicurean

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Epicurean, based in Wisconsin, is known for their cutting boards, but they also make amazing spatulas and turners out of their eco-friendly and long lasting material. Our boards have lasted us for years- well worth the investment.

For more wood spoons and turners, try Allegheny Treeware, Whetstone Woodenware,

Rada Cutlery

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Rada Cutlery, based out of Iowa, makes shockingly affordable knives, knife blocks, peelers, and other kitchen goods. Their catalog is available online, but I have noticed them at tons of smaller grocery stores as well. We have their knife sharpener, and we like it so much that we have been giving it as gifts as well.

For other Made in America knives- R. Murphy Knives, Warther Cutlery, Lamson Knives

J K Adams

The Website
Buy it on Amazon

J K Adams is based in Vermont, and their cutting board won America's Test Kitchen's award for best cutting board. They also make the kind of beautiful rolling pins that look like they belong in a fancy French bakery.

KitchenAid

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon (or any kitchen store anywhere)

Kitchenaid has a wide variety of products, some are still made in the US and some are made in China, so be sure to really check before you buy. Their stand mixers, a staple of every wedding registry, are still made in Ohio. And you can find them at most kitchen stores in person and online.

Lodge

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Lodge Cast Iron is an American gem. Pans, dutch ovens, and skillets have so many uses and will likely last a lifetime. We especially use the dutch oven for a lot of our cooking.

Vitamix

Their Website
Buy it on Crate and Barrel or Amazon

Vitamix blenders are still made in Ohio, though be sure to check, because they are a little less forthcoming about their Made in America-ness than they used to be (which is usually a good sign some things are being imported). These blenders are freaking expensive, but they still outlast many of their owners because they are so well-made.

If you are looking for something a little cheaper or a lot more eco-friendly, you can buy refurbished and tested Vitamix blenders Which begs the question- Why don't all appliance companies do this?

from Amazon

USA Pan

Their Website
Buy them on Williams Sonoma or Amazon

USA Pan continues to be one of my favorite finds writing this blog. They are made in Pittsburgh, right near where I grew up, and I had never heard of them- do you know what is manufactured near you? Their baking sheets and cookie pans have served us perfectly for years, and they haven't started to warp like our other pans. Everyone should get these pans. If you are feeling fancier, USA Pan also makes the fancy line at Williams Sonoma.

They also tend to be staples at smaller kitchen stores if you want to support a small business!

All-Clad

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon or Williams Sonoma

All-Clad makes top of the line pots and pans in Pennsylvania. These are the pots and pans that chefs love, and they are built to last (so much so that there are lots of used pots available as well). If you love to cook, this high-end cookware might be worth it.

Fletcher's Mill

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

Fletcher's Mill makes salt and pepper grinders that we love. This may seem like a strange addition to your kitchen, but you can buy salt and pepper in bulk to save money and packaging. This company also makes spatulas and other kitchen tools too!

Zeroll

Their Website
Buy it on Amazon

This company is great at one thing- ice cream scoops! They are all manufactured in Florida, and they could be a perfect gift.