That delicious tomato you sliced up for your last sandwich. The leather work boots you put on the last time you did some serious work on the house. The cast iron skillet you pull out whenever you want that perfect sear.
These are just a few examples of things still Made in the USA…and why Labor Day matters.
These days, we often hear more in the media about what’s not produced in America anymore. Industries that have moved overseas; jobs that have been outsourced to other countries. But there are still so many products made here that we use and rely on every day. Things designed by brilliant inventors, crafted by skilled artisans, and manufactured by devoted workers.
So, in honor of Labor Day, I thought this year we could highlight some of the things that are still proudly (and completely) Made in the USA…so we can honor the people who make them.
Food. Did you know that nearly 90% of the food we eat is grown or produced in America?1 California alone produces nearly half of all the fruits, nuts, and vegetables we eat. The Midwest produces the majority of our wheat, from the Dakotas on down to Oklahoma. The Corn Belt of Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois is, naturally, where most of our corn comes from. And our meat comes from all over. Pigs are raised in many of the northern states, chickens in the south, while cattle is found practically everywhere, including Hawaii!2
Cookware & Kitchen Appliances. To prepare all that food, many families still turn to products manufactured and assembled entirely in the United States. KitchenAid stand mixers. Waring blenders. Whirlpool refrigerators. Pyrex glassware. Lodge cast-iron skillets. Regal Ware pots and pans.3 And these are just some of the most famous examples. Anyone who enjoys spending time in the kitchen, who treats Monday morning breakfast and Sunday evening dinner as a chance not just to eat, but to enjoy food, likely uses American-made tools and cookware.
Furniture. In these days of IKEA and Amazon, home furnishings are probably not what most people think of when they look for things made in the USA. But there are still over 5,400 furniture manufacturers in the United States with nearly 270,000 workers making our tables, chairs, bookcases, beds, and more.4 While California and New York lead the way in terms of states with the most manufacturers, 33% of American-made furniture comes from the south, and 28% from the Midwest.4 Special mention goes to North Carolina, which is the historical capital of furniture-making in the U.S.
Clothing & Textiles. Few industries in the United States have changed as much as textiles over the years. In fact, the textiles industry, once dominated by sweatshops, played an important role in the labor movement during the early 20th century. More recently, the industry has shrunk significantly due to automation and international competition.
But the U.S. is still the world’s second-largest exporter of textiles, producing top-of-the-line boots, dresswear, denims, uniforms, bags, and more. And during the COVID pandemic, some U.S. manufacturers heroically pivoted to creating medical masks for healthcare providers.5
Arts & Recreation. That Louisville slugger baseball bat you used as a kid? Made in America. The Wilson football you still throw around the backyard? That’s All-American, too.3
The beautiful Gibson guitar every weekend warrior and wanna-be rocker dreams of playing? That comes from Nashville.3 The paints that artists use; the super-nice drafting pencils beloved by architects?6 We don’t need to go to Europe to create a masterpiece. All we need is right here.
Speaking of masterpieces, there’s nothing like catching a sunset over the Grand Canyon, fishing in some tributary to the Colorado river, or camping in the Appalachian mountains. To do that, many people load up their Airstream RV or pack a Springbar tent, often with that classic blue Igloo cooler riding in the backseat. Those have the Made in the USA mark, too.3
Many of these companies, and thousands upon thousands more, have been family-owned and operated for decades, even centuries. Many have strong ties to their local community and wouldn’t dream of moving their factory or workshop. They sponsor the local symphony, dance company, or high school football team. And they are staffed by workers who have dedicated their entire lives to making the best products they possibly can.
According to research, eight out of ten Americans would rather buy U.S.-made good. But it’s not just about patriotism. To be Made in the USA is a mark of quality. A mark of hard work and commitment. Sometimes, it’s even a mark of human rights.
So, this Labor Day, as we celebrate all that labor has given us — sick leave and safety, weekends and holidays, and all the many rights in between — let us give thanks to the things made in this country that we could not do without. The things that enhance our homes and enrich our lives. And let us give thanks, too, for the people who make them. Happy Labor Day!
Content Provided by BGM.
1 “Close to 90% of U.S. consumers’ food spending is for domestically produced products,” USDA, https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/charts-of-note/88950
2 “40 maps that explain food in America,” Vox, https://www.vox.com/a/explain-food-america
3 “25 Famous Products Still Proudly Made in America,” Readers Digest, https://www.rd.com/list/famous-products-still-made-in-america/
4 “Key Statistics & Trends in the U.S. Furniture Industry,” Industry Select, https://www.industryselect.com/blog/key-statistics-on-us-furniture-manufacturing
5 “U.S. Textile Makers Hope Boom Days Are Ahead,” The NY Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/25/business/textile-manufacturing-trump-tariffs.html
6 “Arts and Craft Supplies,” Still Made in USA, https://www.stillmadeinusa.com/crafts.html