Early Bird Foods & Co.: Building Community Through Food and Pride
Some of the most meaningful brands start with a personal story, and Early Bird Foods & Co. is a beautiful example of that.
Founder Nekisia Davis started the company by selling homemade granola at New York City farmers’ markets after leaving a career in fashion, turning a passion for food and creativity into one of Brooklyn’s most recognizable small-batch food brands. From the beginning, the company carried the kind of warmth and authenticity that makes people feel connected not just to the product, but to the people behind it, a vision she continued to build alongside her partner, Jen Watson.
That founder-led authenticity is also what makes Early Bird Foods especially meaningful to highlight during Pride Month. As a queer-founded business, the brand represents the importance of visibility and representation within the food and beverage industry, especially in spaces where LGBTQ+ founders have historically been underrepresented. In a city as diverse as New York, brands like Early Bird Foods help show how creativity, identity, and entrepreneurship can all exist together openly and proudly.
What makes the company stand out is how naturally its values show up in the way it operates. Rather than treating Pride Month as a marketing moment, Early Bird Foods reflects the spirit of community year-round through its support of local markets, independent businesses, and inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and individuality. The brand’s story feels personal in a way that resonates deeply with customers because it is built around real experiences, real passion, and the idea that food can bring people together across different backgrounds and identities.
During Pride Month, Early Bird Foods reminds us that brands can be more than products. They can reflect culture, create belonging, and help make industries feel more inclusive for future founders and communities alike. In many ways, that is what Pride is
truly about: celebrating people who create space for others simply by showing up as themselves
