With our warmest regards,

Lynne, Mark, Cody and Canta

Mark and I began this blog about sixteen months ago. We started it because we enjoy eating, specifically eating here in Bucks County. There is so much [...]]]> A couple of things have been simmering in my little head these days, and I feel the need to share them with you all, my loyal readers.

Mark and I began this blog about sixteen months ago. We started it because we enjoy eating, specifically eating here in Bucks County. There is so much good stuff happening in this county (and nearby), we wanted to get the word out. 

From the beginning, family and friends – well, mostly my mother – have asked, “How do you plan to make money from this?” A fair question. And we weren’t quite sure. It’s the big question in the world of online publishing.

Now, I don’t want you thinking we are independently wealthy. Far from it. But at this point in time we are fortunate that we can get by (sort of) on one salary and then some (that would be me). Mark knows from his professional experience that it takes awhile to grow a Web site – to shape the voice, provide a “product” people want to read, and build traffic. Fortunately the start-up costs for this are relatively low – if you don’t count cost of time.

Last month we started offering advertising space. People are interested (even in this sour economy) but it takes time, and quite frankly, I’m appreciative of the interest. I remind myself to be patient and to continue creating a Web site that provides value for followers. I think we are offering access to a very targeted audience, one that loves food and loves supporting local food, and it’s a good deal. All the same, I’m new at this entrepreneur thing and I have to remember to take deep breaths occasionally.

A friend recently asked about our advertising philosophy. You really should let people know where your “line” is between editorial and advertising, he urged. What does that mean? Well, there are a lot of bloggers (and print publications) out there trying to make money, and sometimes the line between advertising and what appears to be a feature or story gets a little blurry. I myself have written for other publications that will “give” an article to an advertiser who buys a certain amount of advertising. It has become quite common.

So, maybe I’m stupid, and maybe I’ll never be rich, but I’m going to keep that line between what we write, and the advertising we accept, quite solid. That means you can trust that what we are publishing as editorial is not influenced by the businesses who have decided to advertise on Bucks County Taste. If we do a story, it’s because we think it’s worth doing. And Mark has a Masters in Journalism from Northwestern. He would stand on that line with his arms folded were I ever to waiver.

When Mark and I started this blog, we decided that it would be a positive site. By that I mean if we went someplace and didn’t like it, we just wouldn’t write about it. We would only write about the things we liked, that we thought needed exposure. Sort of a “look what we found!” kind of flavor. You may not always agree with our opinion, but that’s okay. Ultimately we all vote with our dollars. And I decided a number of years ago that kindness would be the prevailing value in my life. It’s worked for me so far.

So please bear with us, as we grow and work to publish good content, as well as juggle marketing, sales, technical problems and barking dogs. And do let us know what you like, what you’d like to see more of, and even, what you don’t like. Be well.

We also see it as another way to support [...]]]> Well, we’ve finally done it. Decided to stop working for free, that is. We’ve been thrilled at the positive response to Bucks County Taste, and after sixteen months of building it up, we decided it was time to offer advertising. My mother will be so happy.

We also see it as another way to support local businesses. We’re not using some ad program that puts up national advertisers, or businesses that don’t even sell here, because, well, it’s not local. We think our readership is pretty special – you like food, and you like supporting the local economy. And you think Bucks County is a pretty special place too, like we do. So we’re starting local with our advertising, and calling them “sponsors,” because that’s how we see it. These businesses are sponsoring our work to get the word out about all the great food in Bucks County.

So if you or your business is interested in reaching an educated and hungry local consumer group, please contact us for more information. You can email us at: info@buckscountytaste.com for rates and placement.

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

NOTE: This is a work in progress, nowhere near complete. My plans are to eventually have specific maps for where to find Bucks County meats, cheeses, fish, [...]]]> I am SO pleased with myself. I, a lowly little blogger with no HTML experience, have managed to create a Google Map locating all our Bucks County Taste posts. So cool!

NOTE: This is a work in progress, nowhere near complete. My plans are to eventually have specific maps for where to find Bucks County meats, cheeses, fish, farm markets, producers, as well as restaurants and bars we’ve written about. You can click on the map, locate the business, link to our post about it and even look up directions using Google.

Take a look and let me know what you think! Click here: Bucks County Taste Food Map.

View Bucks County Taste Food Map in a larger map

The latest Big Bear Natural Foods market in Bucks County has been spotted in Langhorne!

One of the original health food stores in the area, this family-owned business opened its first shop in Morrisville in 1971, expanded with three New Jersey locations (Ewing, Lambertville, and Pennington), [...]]]> by guest blogger Elisabeth Villarroel

The latest Big Bear Natural Foods market in Bucks County has been spotted in Langhorne!

One of the original health food stores in the area, this family-owned business opened its first shop in Morrisville in 1971, expanded with three New Jersey locations (Ewing, Lambertville, and Pennington), and now returns to Bucks County with a Langhorne store.

I had heard great things about Big Bear, but had never made it to any of the other locations. However, once I heard the new store was opening close to me I couldn’t wait to check it out. An official grand opening will be held in mid-October, but the Langhorne market had its soft opening in mid-September; the doors opened and registers were ready for business, but the shelves were still being stocked and many of the store’s amenities, such as the juice bar, were not yet in place. I wasn’t the only one anticipating the opening though. Both times I went in during the first week I waited amidst boxes on a line a few people deep.

The 38-year old business is still run by original owners Eileen and Habib Gardee, who have made a point of featuring products and produce from the community. Big Bear has partnered with local businesses such as Awesome Foods, a Montgomery County company that produces prepared raw foods; Fruitwood Orchards in Monroeville, NJ, which provides honey; Podere di Melo , a West Amwell, NJ farm that supplies certified naturally grown eggs, and Bucks County’s own Brad’s Raw Chips.

Genya Gardee took a moment from stocking shelves to tell me that the Langhorne market is the biggest of the five stores and, in addition to a large variety of health foods and specialty products, the Langhorne location will serve made to order fresh prepared foods, such as sandwiches and salads and have a juice bar offering organic wheat grass shots, organic vegetable juices, and smoothies. The new shop also will be bringing in organic produce and meats, including Amish Country chicken from Eberly Farms, and is seeking out partnerships with other local farms and producers.

I would be doing a disservice to Big Bear by not mentioning its large selection of gluten-free products, including a frozen foods area that has many gluten-free entrees in addition to a wide selection of other organic and vegetarian/vegan selections. As someone with food allergies, it is reassuring to know there is a local business focusing on special dietary needs. And, like the other locations, the Langhorne store’s shelves are packed with nutritional and body care products and housewares. With the newest Bucks County shop, Big Bear Natural Foods is sure to be a frequent stop for me and a great addition to the area.

Big Bear Natural Foods of Langhorne
1246 Lincoln Highway
Langhorne, PA 19056