When Sam Pines started his business in early 2020, his goal was just to nail a great recipe for a family-favorite food, while spreading peace, love and, of course, nut butter. 

Just a few years into his endeavor, Summit County has shown its connection and affection for the colorful protein-packed tubs, voting Pines’ Nut Butter the Best Locally Made Product in the 2023 Best of Summit competition.

All of the products are hand-crafted and freshly made in Summit County. 

“The best part about me is coming out to the farmers market and getting nut butter that was made the week of,” Pines said. “You can come get peanut butter that is made within a few days.”

Pines, who is also a teacher in Summit County, said he and his mom both have a deep love for peanut butter, which prompted him to perfect a recipe early in the pandemic. 

“I’ve been eating nut butter my whole life, so this really happened authentically,” he said. “My first farmers market was in Minnesota, in my hometown.”

The growth of the product was truly authentic as well, with Pines “never spending a dime on marketing.”

“This business is being grown by the people of Summit County,” Pines said. 

Over the last year, Pines’ Nut Butter has grown, adding pistachio butter to a roster that ranges from cashew butter to cinnamon-maple almond butter, with prices starting at $8. There’s also a honey peanut butter and a honey pistachio butter that uses Colorado honey.

The young entrepreneur has come a long way in a few short years. Pines sold around a dozen jars at his first market in his hometown of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. He set up mason jars of nut butter on a folding table with two pieces of posterboard that had hand-drawn logos propped up against it.

Now, Pines’ products can be found in Summit County stores as well as the Dillon, Breckenridge, Vail and Steamboat farmers markets. It is also available to purchase online at PinesNutButter.com.

This story previously published in the Best of Summit guide. See complete results at SummitDaily.com/best.