Linda Falkenstein
The best consumer goods are goods that can be consumed. Sure, there are those national fruit-basket outfits, but stay local and treat your friends with edible goodies that come from the same place you do. That's terroir in action.
These hefty bars come in four flavors: butter toffee, pecan, pistachio and cashew. But it's the toffee that's the star of the show. Best of all, these handmade sweets are topped with French sea salt. ($7-8.)
Obviously there are a lot of cheeses to choose from in Wisconsin, but over the last six months, this one won my heart. A mellow, amenable raw goat milk cheese, Evalon is reasonably priced and very mildly goaty; aged over 70 days. (About $16/lb.)
4. Fat Squirrel Nut Brown Ale from Babcock Hall Ice Cream (608-262-3045)
Mmm, Babcock. It's the most Badgery gift and you can give to someone far away, thanks to WisconsinMade.com. Six pints in a choice of Wisco flavors are shipped in a styrofoam cooler with dry ice. On, Wisconsin. ($47)
This will gourmet-ize any sandwich in one slather. A colorful hot/sweet relish made from red peppers and onions; also from the folks at Hawkwind. ($4).
9. Three Hot Nuts chocolate bar from Jenifer Street Market, Willy Street Co-op, Fromagination, and
