Our Story
When you purchase Neck Nosh…
you are not only adding fun and functional snacks to your event…
you are supporting a social purpose business.
The beginning of a purpose
Our Story At Neck Nosh, LLC, we believe that every necklace tells a story—one that intertwines joy, creativity, and a commitment to community. Founded by Erica Humphrey, a former special education teacher and craft beer enthusiast, Neck Nosh is more than just a business; it's a labor of love, inspired by Erica’s passion for service and her desire to uplift those around her.
Developing the passion
Erica developed a career passion that led to 10 years as a special education teacher in both Oregon and California. “My relationship with my students was top priority, as people experiencing life to their full potential has always been of importance to me.”
*a cute sketch gifted to her by a student, showing her as a very pregnant teacher on the playground
A big transition
After the birth of her daughter, combined with her husband’s increasingly intense work demand, Erica’s daily schedule called for more flexibility. It was time to take a pause to be with the family.
An idea sparks
During the coming years, an appreciation of craft beer developed. The idea for Neck Nosh sparked in 2017 after her husband’s experience at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver. The attendees who knew of the pretzel necklace trend came armed with the necklaces to cleanse the palate between beer tastings and keep food in the belly while imbibing alcohol over prolonged periods of time. The trouble was, nobody made them for sale and not everyone had time to gather up the supplies before festival. It was a problem needing solving! Creating Neck Nosh not only fulfilled the desire of promoting fun social experiences, but also kept a connection to the craft beer scene.
*a beer nerd and Nosh enthusiast, the husband at GABF is pictured right
New beginnings
In 2020, after completing a course in food startups, Erica embraced her entrepreneurial spirit and joined the Alchemist Kitchen Incubator Program. This local initiative not only helped her develop her unique pretzel necklace concept but also connected her to a vibrant community of food lovers and creators. As demand for our playful products surged, she realized that to keep up with the growing orders, she needed a dedicated team to help ship thousands of necklaces to events and venues across the country. But Erica's vision went beyond just scaling her business. She longed to incorporate the service-oriented aspect of her teaching career into this new venture.
Full circle
In 2024, Neck Nosh became a community partner of the Saint John’s Program for Real Change - a remarkable organization dedicated to supporting women and children as they break free from cycles of homelessness and poverty. Saint John’s provides a safe environment and comprehensive services that empower women to reclaim their lives. Through this partnership, Neck Nosh has the privilege of employing women who are preparing to re-enter the workforce. These incredible individuals gain valuable job skills, earn income to support their families, and receive letters of recommendation that pave the way for future employment.
Neck Nosh is a proud community partner and employer of women in recovery
Adriane, one of our team members, shared her experience:
“My time at Neck Nosh has been nothing short of amazing! It has refined my short-term objectives and inspired a long-term vision anchored in collaboration, personal growth, integrity, and meaningful contributions.”
The camaraderie and creative spirit at Neck Nosh not only foster personal development but also cultivate a supportive environment where dreams can flourish. We are proud to be part of a community that values resilience and transformation, and we invite you to join us in this journey.
When you purchase Neck Nosh pretzel necklaces, you’re not just choosing a fun accessory for your event; you’re supporting a transformative initiative that uplifts lives and builds a brighter future for our community.
Together, we can make a difference…one necklace at a time.
Thank you for being an essential part of our story!