Skip to main content

Read It and Eat™️

Read It and Eat™️ is a foodie bookish subscription box on a mission to fight hunger and support small businesses.

$13,500
pledged of$13,500 goal
83
0Days Left

Project Description

 

Updates Since Launching:

With your help so far, I've used the $10,000 to pay for the Spring, Summer, and Fall box! Now I only need $3,500 more to pay for the Winter box inventory! You guys are amazing!

I was a speaker for Creative Mornings Buffalo speaking on Food & Folklore and was written up the University at Buffalo as an alumni story! 

What Is Read It & Eat?

Calling all self-proclaimed bookworms and gourmet-loving foodies: Read It and Eat is the subscription box of your dreams. Read It and Eat boxes are sent quarterly, and always include a gently used book, a delicious treat that supports a small business, and a $5 donation to fight hunger in partnership with a local non-profit. Our ultimate goal is to Do Good by Fighting Hunger.

RIAE-Tea

 

What We're Trying to Do

I created Read It and Eat because I noticed a several gaps in the market:

  1. Although there are many subscription boxes for readers, they mostly focus on Young Adult and Fantasy books. This limitedness is a bummer for most readers . Why isn't there a fun subscription box for people who are interested in non-fiction books?
     
  2. We've all wanted to try and explore new cuisines. But the pandemic has left us largely at home. How do you know which foods to try and how can we support the small businesses and artisans greatly impacted by COVID-19?
     
  3. We want to give back to communities who are struggling with hunger, especially with COVID-19 exacerbating the problems, but we aren't sure how.
     

How are we doing this?

How-We-Do-It

 

Why are we raising money

 

For the first $13,000, this funding would cover the inventory required for all four quarterly boxes of the Read It and Eat program and the inventory of the Blind Date with a Book program. A reminder that this inventory funding allows me to continue to work with small businesses and pay these artisans fair prices. I've also broken out separately the donation components for all of the programs. This represents 200 boxes per program.

Goal-1
Crowdfunding-Goodies

The Goodies

This is Read It & Eat, so of course I have some amazing exclusive crowdfunding gifts for you! I created three exclusive boxes that you will only receive as a donor! Each box comes with, per usual, a gently-used food writing book, a delicious foodie treat (supporting small businesses), and $5 from each box from the crowdfunding boxes will be donated to fight hunger in a variety of ways.

The Charcuterie Box - $75

Breadsticks crowdfunding campaign. As a thank you, you have received the Read It & Eat Charcuterie Box, a fundraising EXCLUSIVE box. There's never a bad time for Charcuterie, right?

At the heart of charcuterie are three things, at least in my mind: meat, cheese, and nuts. I've included in this box some amazing snacks & meats from small businesses and we're donating to the Good Meat Project, the non-profit that supports Meat Collectives all over the United States!

The Truffle Box - $100

I will completely admit, I didn't get the hype about truffles at first. Then I read The Truffle Underground and my mind was blown. There is so much culture and history around the truffles. I've included two different truffle treats that you can customize to your liking. Explore! Be Bold!

I also am donating to Big Big Table. This is a new non-profit in Buffalo, NY with a pay-as-you-can pricing model. I want to support new non-profits in my town and I think this model is so accessible. This is quite literally fighting hunger by making the pricing accessible. I'll be using the funds from this box to donate plenty of delicious food for their menus.

The Wine Box - $125

Wine has always been an elusive thing to me. Does this taste like Sonoma? What is terroir? Why am I not seeing any female sommeliers? WINE GIRL by Victoria James opened my eyes to a whole new side of the wine world and also exposed more of its harsh underbelly.

I also am donating to Wine Empowered, which provides professional growth for women an minorities in the hospitality industry. It might not seem like a direct link to fighting hunger but in my eyes, the hospitality industry provides jobs and keeps meals on the table and providing resources for career advancement is a financial way to fight hunger.

Buffalo-Event | Chocolate Making Event - $200

On February 19th,  I'm hosting a chocolate making class with Sweet Whisk! The Sweet Whisk Chocolate & Pastry Boutique creates small batch, hand crafted chocolates using some of the worlds finest ingredients. The class is open to eight couples or a total of 16 individuals! Everything we do for Read It & Eat has a donation component and we'll be donating $20 from each ticket will be donated to Feed WNY. Each donation represents two tickets and one special Read It & Eat box along with all the chocolate goodies you will make during the class you get to take home!

  • $50 To Sweet Whisk (small business in Buffalo)
  • $20 donated to Feed WNY
  • $50 Chocolate Read It & Eat box 

 

Kim-Headshot-Dec2021

About Me, Kim!

My name is Kimberly and I love everything food.  I've spent the past five years working in consumer product goods, which means, I have helped launch some of the food you eat. I've worked on plant-based milks, Planters snack nuts, and currently Halo Top ice cream. Within my career I balance creative marketing, trends and insights, and actual product development.

While advancing my career I really started to recognize how disconnected I was to my own food. Where did my food come from? Who was making my food? What was in my food?

I decided to expand my knowledge outside of my workday. This involved a lot of reading, writing, and research. It started with visiting grocery stores and purveyors specializing in local food. I started to take culinary boot camps, butchery classes, and techniques. I also had an unpaid internship with Food Tank to learn and write about food sustainability and food scarcity.

So what am I doing with all this new knowledge?

Back in May 2020, I launched my Youtube Channel to review and connect with other non fiction readers. I specialize entirely on food books an food writing. I also review fiction books with food at the focus as well.

In 2020, I launched Bookmarks & Breadsticks, LLC and launched my Read It & Eat boxes. These boxes reconnect people to food in three ways: introduce people to new foods,  support small food purveyors and small businesses, and give back by fighting food scarcity and hunger.

In September 2021, I launched Blind Date with a Book. This is a perfect little gift giving tier for $25. The three components are similar to my other boxes, but focus on fiction books ranging from Romance, Young Adult, Fiction, Middle Grade, and Mystery.  Why did I introduce fiction books? I did because I think the stories of the people behind the food and recipes is equally important. The stories can connect us to new cultures and worlds and also reconnect us to our own heritage.

The Campaign FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why Hunger?

Did you know that the United Nations has listed Hunger as their second global goal to solve by 2030? "After decades of steady decline, the number of people who suffer from hunger – as measured by the prevalence of undernourishment – began to slowly increase again in 2015. Current estimates show that nearly 690 million people are hungry, or 8.9 percent of the world population – up by 10 million people in one year and by nearly 60 million in five years" (United Nations).

The pandemic has taken its toll and the goal to have zero hunger is off track. On a personal level, I don't think anyone can disagree with wanting to end hunger. But hunger is a complicated issue - not only is there food scarcity, food apartheid, but there are also secondary impacts such as improving agricultural outputs for small farmers. This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can learn more about Goal 2: Zero Hunger using the image above.

​I was inspired by this goal and took this to heart myself. Now, for every box sold via Read It & Eat (the $50 tier), $5.00 is donated to fight hunger in partnership with a non-profit. For every Blind Date with a Book Sold (the $25 tier) I allocate $3.00 for donations per order. 

Click here to see everyone I've worked with to date: Doing Good by Fighting Hunger

What comes in a Read It & Eat Box?

 

Designed with food and book-lovers in mind, Read It and Eat aims to provide a unique sensory experience and give customers the chance to try something new, all while supporting a new non-profit with each new box.  

Each box is packed with unique treasures like gently-used books about any and all topics surrounding food, delicious treats to taste-test, and other bookish goodies from small, local, and BIPOC-owned businesses. And because a portion of every purchase goes towards a dedicated charity for that box, you can feel good about shopping small and giving back to the community.

Each order comes with:

  • A themed foodie + bookish box available 4x a year
  • A curated food item from a small, family-owned, or BIPOC business
  • A surprise goodie also supporting small businesses!
  • We pair the theme of each box with a donation to a food-based non profit
  • A gently-used food writing book (Non-fiction, not a cookbook)

 

What comes in a Blind Date with a Book?

When you buy a Blind Date With a Book you will receive a handpicked mystery book that is themed around cooking, ingredients, recipes, chefs or something else with a foodie twist. You can pick from fiction, romance or YA genres. To complement the book there will be a selection of edible treats from local producers so that you can enjoy a feast while you feast your eyes!

  • A new paperback or hardback book

  • A delicious foodie snack from a small business

  • A $3.00 donation to local non-profit to fight hunter

  • Social Good Subscription Box

  • Female Owned Subscription Box

John Christian Dolan
04/18/2022
Monetary Contribution
$2,465
John Christian Dolan
04/18/2022
A Blind Date with a Book 🎁
$30
John Christian Dolan
04/18/2022
Booze & Spirits Box
$30
John Christian Dolan
04/18/2022
A Custom Book Sleeve
$20
Shannon Rodenburg
04/14/2022
Tea Themed Box
$30
Jessica Stein
04/14/2022
Exclusive Charcuterie Box 🎁🥩
$55
Gayle
04/12/2022
Booze & Spirits Box
$30
04/11/2022
A Blind Date with a Book 🎁
$30
Tricia
04/11/2022
A Blind Date with a Book 🎁
$30
Kimberly Behzadi
04/10/2022
Monetary Contribution
$600
Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

22 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Tea Themed Box

Spring is right around the corner, but there are still some cold days among us. Cuddle up with a good book and a delicious tea. This box supports the World Central Kitchen, which currently is on the ground serving fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing their homes as well as those who remain in their country. This is the perfect gift for Mother's Day or Easter

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Booze & Spirits Box

The holidays are just around the corner and who doesn't love a good drink with good friends? For the winter box, we're featuring booze and spirits. We're including a delicious spirits infusion kit and an amazing read about the life behind the bar.

*NO ALCOHOL IS SOLD IN THIS BOX.

13 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
A Blind Date with a Book 🎁

You will be given a code to order our Blind Date with a Book box off of my main website! This code will not expire, so you can order at any time.

The genres available:

  • Fiction
  • Romance
  • Young Adult
  • Cozy Mystery
  • Middle Grade
  • Non-Fiction Food Writing
87 Left
13 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
Spring Fruit & Seeds Box

A new year will be upon us, let's lay some new seeds and start anew. Our spring Read It & Eat box is focused on fruits & seeds! This book & food subscription box is extra special because it includes entirely Buffalo-based businesses!

The full list of goodies can be found here: 

https://www.booksnbread.com/spring-seeds-box

31 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
55.00 USD
Exclusive Charcuterie Box 🎁🥩

Charcuterie Box 🎁

This box comes with 2 different charcuterie meats, some nuts, and a delicious book.

Full description on project page

Please include your address at checkout

12 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
85.00 USD
Exclusive Wine Box 🎁🍷

Exclusive Wine Box 🎁

This box comes with a sparkling wine kit, a flight of wine glasses, and an amazing book!

Full description on project page

21 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Fist Bump & Bookmarks ✊🔖

Thank you for supporting my #IFundWomen crowdfunding campaign! You'll receive a virtual fist bump and a not-virtual bookmark I made personally for you!

49 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
20.00 USD
A Custom Book Sleeve

A book sleeve is a great way to keep a book save in your purse or while you're on the go! These book sleeves are made in partnership with a non-profit here in Buffalo called Stitch Buffalo.

Stitch Buffalo is an inclusive space for refugee and immigrant women to create handcrafted goods and find economic empowerment; a textile art center for community members to gain and share skills in the textile arts; and an organization committed to stewarding the environment through the re-use of textile supplies! $5 from each purchase is used to cover their labor, efforts and materials!

92 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Launch Webinar 🖥️

A webinar with 5 things I've learned and 5 things to avoid when launching your first foodie business

49 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Coffee Chat with Kim 🖥️ | CPG Expertise

Coffee Chat with Kim 🖥️ | CPG Expertise

A 1-hour phone or zoom conversation where I will answer any and all questions you might have about working in Consumer Product Goods. My career includes working on Plant-based milks, Planters snack nuts, and Halo Top ice cream

13 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward

About the Entrepreneur

North tonawanda, NY
Created 1 Campaign
Social Good

Rewards

Monetary Contribution

Just Because I Care

22 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Tea Themed Box

Spring is right around the corner, but there are still some cold days among us. Cuddle up with a good book and a delicious tea. This box supports the World Central Kitchen, which currently is on the ground serving fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing their homes as well as those who remain in their country. This is the perfect gift for Mother's Day or Easter

18 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
Booze & Spirits Box

The holidays are just around the corner and who doesn't love a good drink with good friends? For the winter box, we're featuring booze and spirits. We're including a delicious spirits infusion kit and an amazing read about the life behind the bar.

*NO ALCOHOL IS SOLD IN THIS BOX.

13 Left
2 Supporters
Select this reward
30.00 USD
A Blind Date with a Book 🎁

You will be given a code to order our Blind Date with a Book box off of my main website! This code will not expire, so you can order at any time.

The genres available:

  • Fiction
  • Romance
  • Young Adult
  • Cozy Mystery
  • Middle Grade
  • Non-Fiction Food Writing
87 Left
13 Supporters
Select this reward
45.00 USD
Spring Fruit & Seeds Box

A new year will be upon us, let's lay some new seeds and start anew. Our spring Read It & Eat box is focused on fruits & seeds! This book & food subscription box is extra special because it includes entirely Buffalo-based businesses!

The full list of goodies can be found here: 

https://www.booksnbread.com/spring-seeds-box

31 Left
4 Supporters
Select this reward
55.00 USD
Exclusive Charcuterie Box 🎁🥩

Charcuterie Box 🎁

This box comes with 2 different charcuterie meats, some nuts, and a delicious book.

Full description on project page

Please include your address at checkout

12 Left
12 Supporters
Select this reward
85.00 USD
Exclusive Wine Box 🎁🍷

Exclusive Wine Box 🎁

This box comes with a sparkling wine kit, a flight of wine glasses, and an amazing book!

Full description on project page

21 Left
3 Supporters
Select this reward
10.00 USD
Fist Bump & Bookmarks ✊🔖

Thank you for supporting my #IFundWomen crowdfunding campaign! You'll receive a virtual fist bump and a not-virtual bookmark I made personally for you!

49 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
20.00 USD
A Custom Book Sleeve

A book sleeve is a great way to keep a book save in your purse or while you're on the go! These book sleeves are made in partnership with a non-profit here in Buffalo called Stitch Buffalo.

Stitch Buffalo is an inclusive space for refugee and immigrant women to create handcrafted goods and find economic empowerment; a textile art center for community members to gain and share skills in the textile arts; and an organization committed to stewarding the environment through the re-use of textile supplies! $5 from each purchase is used to cover their labor, efforts and materials!

92 Left
8 Supporters
Select this reward
25.00 USD
Launch Webinar 🖥️

A webinar with 5 things I've learned and 5 things to avoid when launching your first foodie business

49 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward
150.00 USD
Coffee Chat with Kim 🖥️ | CPG Expertise

Coffee Chat with Kim 🖥️ | CPG Expertise

A 1-hour phone or zoom conversation where I will answer any and all questions you might have about working in Consumer Product Goods. My career includes working on Plant-based milks, Planters snack nuts, and Halo Top ice cream

13 Left
1 Supporter
Select this reward