About Us
Sandi Fiss and Ann Vaughan are the partners/owners of Taste Local Eats. We have lived and raised children in Kennett Square, PA for over 20 years.
During the pandemic, Ann Vaughan, owner of Taste Kennett Food Tours, had to pause the food tours in 2020 (and also in 2021). Initially, she pivoted to offering curated boxes of ready-made food items from downtown Kennett Square, PA restaurants and businesses to support them during their shut down. The community purchased these boxes enthusiastically and an idea was born! These boxes were delivered by Ann, her husband, her sons (and several of their friends), and Sandi's daughter. They went directly to homes of community members living within a ten-mile radius of downtown Kennett Square.
The amazing community response to these boxes inspired Ann to reach out to additional local small businesses located throughout the Brandywine Valley to promote the concept of shopping and supporting local, while at the same time supporting local non-profits.
Over the past year, Taste Kennett was able to provide direct sales to over 50 small, local businesses through the sale of the custom boxes. In addition, each box sale included a donation to a local non-profit.
A total of over $4,000 was donated to:
- Historic Kennett Small Business Response Fund
- Kennett Area Community Services Food Cupboard
- Historic Kennett Blooms Program
During the spring of 2021, Ann and Sandi were making homemade candy, a tradition they have shared together at Christmas and Easter for over 15 years, and one conversation led to another, and well, Taste Local Eats was launched!
Sandi has always been a crusader and these skills will assist with Taste Local Eats' expansion into fundraising. She has a strong volunteer and fundraising background focusing on youth, church and school groups. She has done homeless outreach in Philadelphia for many years. Sandi comes from a long line of entrepreneurs in her own family, and can now add entrepreneur to her own list.
Ann and Sandi are now working together to expand Taste Kennett's initial box concept. We have launched the business with 100% focus on supporting small businesses, raising money for non-profits and organizations, and celebrating local communities throughout Southern PA, Southern NJ and Delaware.
Custom boxes are available for gifts, corporate gifting and for fundraising.
We are excited to share our love of small businesses, and look forward to introducing you to all the amazing food, people and stories in our local communities.
We hope you join us on our journey, and taste and sample along the way. xo