1. AZIFA LENTIL DIPS

The Story: Mariam Foods owner Sam Andemariam draws his inspiration for his curry, jalapeño, and mustard lines of lentil-based dips from his upbringing in Ethiopia. Made from lentils sourced from the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho, the dips are inspired by the Azifa lentil salad that Andemariam's mother would make. Fun fact: 26% of the calories in lentils come from protein, the 3rd best source of all legumes and nuts.
Find It: New Seasons Market and other assorted markets and co-ops around the metro area. Find the full list on the Mariam Foods Website.

2. TREEHOUSE CHOCOLATE

The Story: Aaron Koch belongs to the adventurous set. Among his many escapades, he found himself living in a tiny treehouse while working on a Hawaiian cacao farm—and from the fertile dirt of the islands, Portland's second bean-to-bar chocolate maker Treehouse Chocolate was born. Made with organic cacao sourced directly from farmers, Treehouse does away with artificial substitutes and aims for simple chocolate with heart.
Find It: $25 for 5 bars at local food co-ops and online at the Treehouse Chocolates website.

3. SPIELMAN'S BAGEL CHIPS

The Story: The father-and-son operation Spielman Coffee Roasters and Bagels has been making coffee and bagels since 1996, and now they’re in the snacks game, too. Their bagels are famous around town for the "Portland-style" sourdough flavor, chewy interior, and topping-laden exterior—and now they’re available in chip form, topped with Jacobsen Salt Co. sea salt, herbs, or spicy barbecue seasonings.  
Find It: Green Zebra Grocery and the Spielman's coffee and bagel shop at 2128 SE Division St.

4. STUMPTOWN COLD BREW WITH MILK

The Story: When the folks at Stumptown Coffee Roasters noticed that about 80 percent of their customers added milk, cream, and/or sugar to their cold brew coffee, they saw a new business opportunity in the making. The Portland coffee empire adds the milk and sugar themselves, puts the mix in a carton, and dropped it in the dairy aisle, of all places.
Find It: Whole Foods, New Seasons, Zupan’s, and Green Zebra Grocery.

5. BUNCHES & BUNCHES MOLE SAUCE

The Story: This trio of rich, dark, dangerously good sauces inspired by Oaxacan flavors and preparations will transform any piece of meat or pan of veggies into a simple one-pan meal with complex flavors. The line of mole from Bunches & Bunches' Tamalpais Roth-McCormick and Mark Slawson features three takes on the traditional sauce: Red (Dried Chilaca), Green (Fire-Roasted Chile), or Smoked.
Find It: $36 for the trifecta of flavors or $13 each. Available from the Bunches & Bunches online store and at several retail locations throughout Portland. 

6. BETSY'S BEST BAR NONE

THE STORY: While training as a psychiatric nurse practitioner at the Oregon Department of Corrections, Betsy Langdon was inspired to create a business that could employ and support felons post-incarceration. This mission grew into Betsy's Best Bar None, a line of organic, vegan, gluten-free protein bars. The bars, which come in five flavors like Chile Chocolate Chip and Cinnamon Cardamom, are powered entirely by nutritious whole foods like pumpkin seed butter, hemp, chia, quinoa, flax, and coconut. 
FIND IT: At Portland Whole Foods locations, People's Food Co-op, and Food Front Cooperative Grocery. Find more retail locations or order online at betsysbestbarnone.com. 

7. ROX CHOX

THE STORY: When Rochelle Koivunen was put on the very restrictive Candida diet back in 2010, she looked everywhere for a chocolate bar that she could eat. When her search failed, she used raw cacao, coconut oil, and xylitol to make her own heavenly handcrafted chocolate bars. True to Portland form, Rox Chox bars are organic, fair-trade, raw, vegan, non-GMO, and free of sugar, soy, gluten, and nuts. 
FIND IT: Powell's Books, Food Front, Alberta Co-op, and People's Food Co-op. Find more retail locations or order online at roxchox.blogspot.com.

8. VTOPIAN ARTISAN CHEESES

THE STORY: Vegan foodie Imber Lingard had long enjoyed whipping up artisan nut cheeses in her kitchen, but it wasn't until she was approached by her employers at Eugene's Cornbread Cafe that she began sharing her creations with the public. The cafe customers urged Imber to start her own business, and in December 2013, Vtopian Artisan Cheeses were born. These cashew cultured cheeses come in Cranberry Brie, Sundried Tomato Brie, and Creamy Basil Borealis, with more bold-flavored bries on the way. 
FIND IT: Food Fight! Grocery for $7.15-$10.35. 

9. THE BETTER BEAN COMPANY

THE STORY: Keith Kullberg first discovered Bean Cones—think ice cream cones filled with refried beans—while on vacation in Mexico as a college student. Keith soon developed his own version of the beans, with a few tweaks: red beans, fresh ingredients, and no animal products. Thirty years later, the Kullberg family went into business as the Better Bean Company, selling Keith's vegan, gluten-free beans in five delicious varieties, from Cuban Black Beans to Wholly Chipotle Bean Dip. 
FIND IT: The refrigerated section of New Seasons, Whole Foods, Zupan's and more. Find a retail location near you at betterbeanco.com.

What's your go-to Portland-made snack or treat right now? Let us know in the comments below.