since 2017 —
In 2017, two brothers started the City in a Box initiative, with a mission to put local makers in the spotlight — and to introduce locals to all the good things their city has to offer.
Out of that grew the tastiest and most original Christmas hampers in town. Ever since, we've been gathering the finest artisan products of local soil in our boxes.
Besides supporting local entrepreneurship, we contribute to local employment: our boxes are packed at sheltered workshops in Haarlem. That way we also help create work for great people who find it just a little harder to land a job.
And nothing goes to waste: everything left over after the season is donated to the local food bank. So every box gives twice — once to the recipient, once to the city.
proud of the city, proud of our work —
Our local partners
Haarlem
In the Middle Ages Haarlem was a true brewing city: beer left along the river Spaarne in 112-litre barrels called 'jopen'. Jopen revived that tradition and has been brewing characterful beers since 1994, today inside the listed Jopenkerk.
Haarlem
The headstrong little brother of Haarlem's beer scene: bold IPAs and stouts with loud labels and an owl on the cap. Brewed to stand out, not to sit in the cupboard.
Haarlem
Baker of the Haarlemmer Halletjes®, a biscuit based on a 1693 recipe by Eymert van der Schee from the Oude Halletje on Korte Veerstraat. The recipe nearly disappeared and is now baked to the original again.
Haarlem
Gin with the city in the bottle: distilled in small batches with botanicals that nod to Haarlem. A bottle that shines at drinks — and at the office.
Haarlem
The trusted nut shop on Cronjéstraat: fresh nuts, dried fruit and house-roasted mixes. For generations the place where locals get their bar snacks.
Haarlem
Cheese and dairy with real know-how, right in the middle of Haarlem. From young farmhouse cheese to the aged crystal cheeses in our larger boxes.
Haarlem
Handmade chai from a family recipe: fresh ginger, cardamom and cinnamon instead of powder from a bag. Warm, spicy and a lovely surprise at the office.
Haarlem
Ginger drinks with a kick: pure, sharp and without needless sugar. Started in a Haarlem kitchen, now a fixture in our boxes.
Haarlem
A lunchroom run by people with an intellectual disability — welcoming, proud and skilled. We're glad to have their bakes in our hampers.
Haarlem
A social enterprise where people at a distance from the labour market make print and design work. Our story cards and logo stickers come from here.
Organic mints in a tin you keep. A small gift with a big effect — and fully plant-based.
Soap without the junk. Works with fair-trade fruit peels from Nepal, 100% natural fragrances and no microplastics — kind to your skin, kinder to the world.
A network of makers
Since 2017 we've been providing local Christmas hampers and corporate gifts for proud companies. To be of as much value as possible, we've built a large network of local makers in cities across the Netherlands.
Tempted?
