How do you go from investment banking in New York City to making bite-size shortbread from South Africa? Ask Alicia Polak. While she was studying for her MBA in 2000, she participated in a work exchange in South Africa that changed her life. “It was supposed to last for eight weeks,” Alicia told me. “I ended up staying eight months.”

After a stint in the financial world, Alicia "found" a bit of purpose. “I wanted to make a difference in South Africa. I wanted to bring work to the people and help them improve their lives.” So she headed off to South Africa and started making contacts with the community leaders in the most impoverished areas. Alicia and her small group of workers sold their first box to locals in 2005. In 2006 they started the Khaya Cookie Company to handle exporting and put more people to work.

We’ve been including these buttery bites of shortbread in some of our gift boxes and baskets for over a year. We finally figured out we should offer them straight up. Made with orange zest and roobios tea, these small treats are easy to pop in your mouth all day long.

This product is certified Kosher.