We’ve made some big strides with the development of foodzie.com, and we’re excited to share the latest version of our site with you. We think you’ll find that it’s quite a bit more representative of Foodzie than what you may have seen the last time you checked.

The latest iteration of our site embarks on a complete design overhaul that we think better reflects the future look of our marketplace, and also includes some screenshots of what the individual producer’s stores will look like (without giving away all the surprises!).

One of the most important components of the redesign in terms of functionality is our new product recommendation form. We’re calling all foodies to help us in our search for the best artisanal food products from across the country. If you have a favorite and don’t mind sharing, let us know here. We’ll do everything we can to get your favorite products on Foodzie.

We’d love to discuss ways that you feel we can make Foodzie more relevant, more useful, and more attractive for you, our fellow foodies. Leave us a comment or drop us a note at info@foodzie.com. We’d really love to hear what you’ve got to say.

Happy Eating!

Before we know it we’ll be heading out to Anaheim, CA for the Natural Products Expo West show. We are thrilled to have another excuse to head out to the west coast. Most of our time away from the show will be in LA and we’re starting to put together our list of “must tastes” while we’re in the area - here’s what we’ve got on the list so far.

Bonbonbars, homemade chocolate bars (yes we love chocolate!) - available @ Clementine in LA 

June Taylor Preserves, artisanal jams

Little Flower Candy Co., handmade caramels & marshmallows - both available @ The Cheese Store of Silver Lake in LA

Colorado Blvd., this street is just packed with fantastic food finds.

I’m particularly looking forward to stopping into Elements Kitchen for a Curry Chicken Salad Sandwich–yum!

If you have any recommendations for tasty products or restaurants in the area, please let us know!

About 2 blocks away from my house in Greensboro there is a dusty little grocery store that has tons of charm, Bestway. A lot of their business comes from UNCG students picking up beer, cigarettes and toilet paper at the last minute. Bestway type grocery stores are everywhere. They aren’t large chains; they still place price stickers on every can of soup and every 4-pack of butter. \n\nLook hard enough and just about every one of these little markets taps into their patron’s local pride. Bestway recently started carrying Old Guilford Mill products; this mill is 15 minutes outside of Greensboro. It started in 1767 and still stone grinds grits, corn meal and sells pancake mixes, muffin mixes, flour, etc. We’ve tried two products both were rich with flavor - so much flavor that putting a corn syrup based product on the pancakes was not appealing at all (okay, so we are a little snobby when it comes to corn syrup).

We’ve visited the mill; the connection created between you and the product after you meet the owners and see everything going into the product is invaluable. So the next time your in the dusty little local market picking up the milk you forgot at the Harris Teeter - ask if they have any local products. If your lucky, you’ll find a gem.

Bestway has gone from my backup-last-minute grocery store to my regular stop for local milk, local grains, and bread.

*Photo credit: Ruth Anne Lee

The Greensboro Curb Market isn’t lacking in publicity, but that’s because it deserves every mention and tip of the hat it receives. The curb market is a perfect blend of southern and international culture brought together by a passion for local food.

It’s only open on Saturdays until noon (Jan - April), but if you manage to get out of bed you can easily pick up most of what you need for the week. It has produce, baked goods, locally milled grains, middle-eastern cuisine, tea, seafood, and any kind of meat you want - including whey (from the Goat Lady Dairy Farm) fed pork.\n\nToday we were able to get a hold of Clara Marie’s Banana Pudding. Recently mentioned in Southern Living, the pudding is absolutely fantastic. If you find yourself in Greensboro on a Saturday morning you owe it to yourself to go to the curb market and pick up a 16oz cup. It’s rich - you may need help finishing it.

Valentine’s Day is a good reason to buy a box of truffles, but sometimes you find a product that’s so good you make up reasons to be able to enjoy it any old day of the week. LØVE Chocolate out of Asheboro, NC is good enough not to need a reason other than it’s just that darn good. Their unique truffles are hand-crafted and made to order, so you won’t find chocolate much fresher. The sea-salt caramel is classic, the olive oil truffle is divine and the ginger cherry cordial makes my mouth happy. You can customize your own box and it arrives in a fun hand-stamped package. So go ahead, give yourself a little LØVE.