Match Made in Heaven

Ahh yes, Yum Runnerz is doing what they do best, match making. We work with many local artisans on many different levels and we work with many buyers also on many different levels. This little match made in heaven happens to be right here in our Capitol, home of Yum Runnerz, home of our artisan and home of the buyer. For those of you who live, work, and eat in Austin you have probably heard of our artisan ZHI TEA.

Starting at the newly remodeled and what used to be Zen now LUCKY ROBOT on South Congress you can now nab a lovely hot or a cold tea that has been hand blended and created to perfection in Austin, TX by ZHI TEA.

Tea travels well so get it to go if you’re in a hurry!

Zhi tea gallery is also located at

4607 Bolm Road Austin, TX 78702.

An Award Winning Addition

Just coming off of pepper season and an end to all of the hot sauce festivals and contests. Yum Runnerz has added a new member to our local family of artisans.

This is a spicy one (pun intended). Don't Panic Hispanic Salsa has won for the 4th year in a row the Austin Chronicle Hot Sauce Contest. You can find them at Specs and now with Yum Runnerz working every angle we can hopefully grab more places around town.

They have 3 varieties and 2 flavors, the Red salsa medium and hot and the Greengo salsa, DELICIOUS!!! These are all fresh salsas which in my opinion its hard to find a good fresh salsa with simple ingredients.

Stay tuned for upcoming locations where they can be found!

NEW ARTISAN JOINS YUM RUNNERZ!!!!!

Great things are happening and as we head into Fall it is only going to get better. Yum Runnerz has picked up a new artisan who has an amazing line of Culinary Oils.

Avocado Oil

Pecan Oil

Organic Sunflower Oil

Pure Mexican Vanilla (Dark)

Pure Mexican Vanilla (Clear)

These oils are low in saturated fat's, they have a high degree smoking point, and can be used to marinate, bake, make dressings, or fry. Keep your eyes peeled in the local supported stores and grocers around Austin.

Contact a yum runner for samples at foodiemccoy@gmail.com

www.yumrunnerz.com

Thanks for supporting local!

A little Side of Local Please.....

We may not even realize it when we are sitting down to a meal at our favorite restauraunt that what we are ordering may have a local ingredient. Knowing this makes the meal even better as you realize you have just taken a bite from something that not only shares better ingredients but shares the support to our local artisans. This in itself should make your meal all the more enjoyable.
The next time you order at the following locations Reds Porch, Trio at Four Seasons, and Cipollina keep you eyes peeled for anything with truffle oil and order it. 
The truffle oil comes from Spicewood Texas, Yum Runnerz who represents The Spicewood Food Co. For chefs and foodies around town has just made your meal yummy!

Packaging Test

In honor of our upcoming workshop, I've got a challenge for you this weekend. Are you ready?

Ok, next time you're out grocery shopping make note of a few things.

- Did you choose that product because it was on your list or because it just jumped out at you?
- If it was on your list, why did you choose that one over other options?
- If it's a product that you buy regularly, why do you keep going back?
- Have you ever been tempted to switch? If so, why?

The point of this questioning? To help you realize how big of an impact packaging and appearance can have on your buying decisions. Just last night, my (Jr. Yum Runner) mother almost bought a gelato from Whole Foods just because she liked the pretty packaging. Packaging can make a buyer pick up one product over another. And, even though it's the product that keeps people coming back for more, it's the appearance that can get a person to buy it for the first time.

We'd love to hear some feedback on packaging, so feel free to share any thoughts you have when out shopping.

Have a great weekend!

A Workshop on the Horizon

That's right, we are hosting another workshop!

This time we will focus on packaging and working with the lovely people at Envision Creative Group who will be there to answer questions and share stories. 

The workshop will be held at the Hope Farmers' Market's Pine Street Station on October 1st. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in advance here.

If you are an artisan looking to learn more about:
 - how to create the perfect packaging for a product, this workshop is for you.
 - some major do's and dont's of packaging, this workshop is for you.
 - how to create packaging that scares customers away, this workshop is NOT for you!

If you have any questions about the workshop, feel free to contact us at foodiemccoy@gmail.com.

We hope to see y'all there!

Local Products in Action

We represent a lot of great artisans and we've shown you a several of their products in the past few months. Today, I'm gonna share a few more ways to use the products in easy dishes... maybe even for a meal or two this weekend!

Start your day with Bona Dea's Positively Pancakes and top with this amazing Maple Blueberry Syrup.

Looking for a great snack? Why not make this Grilled Flatbread, to serve with Pate Letelier's assortment of veggie pates? 

For dinner, try East Meets West sauces in place of the marinade for this Beef & Broccoli Stir-Fry.

Or, if you're looking to try something new, try grilling some kale for a Grilled Kale Salad with Ricotta and Plums, using Spicewood Foods' Aged Balsamic Vinegar. 

More ideas to come but, for now, enjoy and Happy Friday!

Local: A Love Letter

We are taking a break from our regularly scheduled post to talk about one simple topic: Local. As food brokers to local artisans, clearly we love us some Local. But why, you may ask?

Is it just because local is supposed to be better for the economy?

Is it because we love Austin so much we don't feel like working with people outside of Austin?

Or is it because of the beautiful community that surrounds Austin's food community? Yeah, that one sounds more like it.

In case you haven't noticed, Austin restaurants and foodies are all about supporting local farms and artisans. We see it every day when we take products out to restaurants and stores to buy – businesses love local. And even in talking with people on a regular basis about food, there is a growing awareness of eating organic, local, and freshly made goods.

Austin's food community also supports its members beyond the business side of things. The community saw a great example of this just a few weeks ago when a fundraising event was held in honor of a local food artisan who is battling cancer. There was music, food, an auction, and a great number of people out to support. The night was an amazing model of community.

And we see this community strengthening all over town as the network of chefs, restaurants, and farms becomes intertwined and even more bold in their call to eat local.

So let this post be an open love letter to Local and, more specifically, the Austin food community. We love doing business with y'all.

Local Product of the Week: Eggplant Pâté

The first talk of eggplants has begun for the season. I remember getting so tired of eggplants by the end of summer/fall last year... I was constantly at a loss of what to make!

But, I love the idea of an eggplant pâté, which is one of Pâté Letelier's vegetable pâtés. It's got goat cheese, roasted garlic and onions, and some herbs and spices to complement the eggplant well. Try it spread on some toast or slightly warmed up and served with vegetable crudites or crackers.

Pick some up today at Fresh Plush Grocers on West Lynn or at La Patisserie, or stop by Pâté Letelier's booth at the SFC Markets on Saturday or Hope Farmers' Market on Sundays.

Local Product of the Week: Bona Dea Marvelous Muffins Mix

 
Last week I told you about our new additions to the family. Now it's time to get a bit better acquainted, starting with Bona Dea's Marvelous Muffins Mix!

Bona Dea's Marvelous Muffins Mix is so great because of its versatility. You can make it your own and change it to fit whatever you're craving - make it healthy with some nuts, dried fruit, and flax meal, or satisfy your sweet tooth by adding some chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and cinnamon. All this talk is making me crave a delicious Blueberry Muffin! Or even a Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffin... see, I told you the options were endless!

Pick some up at Whole Foods downtown or order yours online.

Local Products of the Week: Welcoming the Newbies

Have you heard? We recently welcomed two new artisans to the Yum Runnerz family. So, in honor of these additions, I thought I'd formally introduce them to y'all.

First up is Bona Dea Baking Co. a local company that provides gluten-free flour to at home bakers and restaurants. Their products range from an All-Purpose Mix to Pancake and Scone Mixes. You can purchase their mixes at local stores like Whole Foods Downtown or Avenue B Grocery (and more to come soon!) or taste products made with their mixes at restaurants like Hopdoddy Burgers and Sugar Mama's Bakeshop. Their mixes are perfect to have on hand for all your gluten-free baking needs.

 
Second is Wimberley Valley Gourmet Specialties a fabulous shop operating out of Wimberley, TX. We will be working to get their array of oils (including pecan, avocado, and sunflower) onto the shelves of stores near you. In the meantime, why not take the short drive out to Wimberley to peruse their shop and explore the wonderful town?

We are so excited to have both artisans as part of the family and we look forward to sharing their great products with the foodies of Austin.

Local Product of the Week: Ancient Texas Secret

 
The name of this sauce alone conjures up thoughts of a magical meal!

East Meets West Texasian Sauces are perfect to have in the pantry for those nights when you want to whip up something simple, or add a little kick to your favorite dish. They are great marinades, flavorful sauces for stir-fries, and would be delicious as a dipping sauce for your favorite roasted vegetables.

Ancient Texas Secret has the sweetness of apricots and the kick of horseradish and cayenne. Pour it over a steak, throw it on the grill, and you've got a fabulous meal. Or, for you vegetarians out there, toss it with some roasted mushrooms, potatoes, or summer squash from the farmers' market.

Find this week's product at local stores like Faraday's Kitchen Store, The Meat House Westlake, Live Oak Market, and Wheatsville. Pick some up today!

Local Product of the Week: Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar

 

Balsamic Strawberry Smash

photo by Kelly Carámbula of eatmakeread.com

After a nice long weekend break, it's back to work. We've been busy here at Yum Runnerz with meetings and tastings trying to get all our yummy clients into equally fabulous restaurants and stores. Our product of the week is perfect to be enjoyed at the end of a long and busy Hump Day like today.

I've talked about the delicious Balsamic Vinegar from Spicewood Food Company before, but today I'd like to share one of it's close relatives - Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. The sweetness of the strawberries paired with the thickness of the balsamic is oh so delicious.

We all know the basic ways to use balsamic - salad dressings, marinades, sautes, etc. But have you ever tried balsamic in a cocktail? Now, before you make any judgements, check out a few of these delicious recipes:

Balsamic Lemonade & Vodka Cocktail
Balsamic Strawberry Smash
Tequila + Balsamic
Bufala Negra

Don't those sound amazing?! Stop and imagine them not just with plain balsamic, but Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. I'm counting down to 5 o'clock!

Happy Wednesday! 

Local Products of the Week: Memorial Day Round-Up

It feels like just yesterday I was writing about springtime, and here we are in the last week of May thinking about Memorial Day!

For this week's highlighted product, we have a round-up of ways to use Yum Runnerz's local artisans' products at your Memorial Day celebration.

1. Use East Meets West TexAsian sauces to marinate some chicken or vegetables to throw on the grill. Try their Texas Szechuan for an extra kick!

2. Brew some Zhi iced tea. I've told you about two of our favorites in the past two weeks (here and here), but why not try their Berry Hibiscus or White Blueberry? Head over to their local tea shop to browse their extensive selection.

3. Serve up some of Pate Letelier's veggie pate with vegetables or chips - why not try their White Bean Pate?

4. Mix up a bowl of fresh fruit and serve it with some jam-sweetened whipped cream - wouldn't a whipped cream mixed with Blackberry Jam (with a Hint of Lavender) taste delicious?

5. And what's a party without a salad topped with some fruit, nuts, and a sprinkle of cheese, all tossed in one of Spicewood Food Company's vinaigrettes? I mean, come one... how good does a Blue Cheese and Pecan dressing sound?

These ideas will help make any summer BBQ or celebration a hit. For more ideas or info about any of the recommendations, just head on over to our Facebook page and leave us a message.

And don't forget to like us on Facebook. Our giveaway ends soon and we are far behind -- don't miss out on your chance to win a goodie basket filled with local products like the ones mentioned above. Like us before June 1st, and if we have 300 likes by then, we're giving a fabulous goodie basket away to one lucky person.

Local Product of the Week: Blood Orange Herbal Tea

Ok, so I know we featured a tea last week, but I tried a new kind of tea this week when sampling with a restaurant and I just fell in love. Zhi has an herbal tea called Blood Orange. Not only is the tea beautiful in the bag with chunks of orange peel, but it tastes wonderful also. I brewed a pitcher of the tea and poured to over ice... so good!

Pick some up and brew it hot for these dreary days and then pour it over ice once the heat comes back.

Check out Zhi and the rest of their tea selection on their website or at their tea shop at 4607 Bolm Road, Austin.

Local Product of the Week: Desert Blend

We started representing a new company and have been working like crazy to get their products into stores and restaurants. Zhi Tea is a local tea company that sells fair trade and organic teas that are made right here in Austin. Even you non-tea drinkers will be won over by the fruity Berry Hibiscus or fragrant Tropical Green Tea. Next time you're at Whole Foods, Central Market, or Fresh Plus Grocery be sure to pick up some of their awesome teas. 

This month, our Featured Local Product is one of Zhi Tea's most popular teas: Desert Blend (also sold as Sweet Desert Delight). Try it hot, try it cold... just try it!

And be sure to head over to our Facebook page and Like Yum Runnerz for your chance to win a basket filled with goodies like these. 

Local Product of the Week: Candy Apple Butter

 
Doesn't your mouth start to water just at the name of these preserves?

Letelier Food Company makes all sorts of amazing products like these preserves (as well as an array of other flavors), meat pates, and vegetarian pates.

Here are a few ideas on how to use the preserves (as if you needed help!):

As a filling for these homemade pop tarts.

Mixed into your favorite pancake recipe... check out this recipe for inspiration.

Make some little dumplings stuffed with the preserves.

Or just stay simple and spread it on a thick piece of toast.

The preserves are available at Fresh Plush Grocer on West Lynn, La Patisserie,  the SFC Downtown & Sunset Valley Farmers Market, and the Hope Farmers' Market.

Be sure to check out their website to read all about the delicious preserve flavors they are offering this season... you won't be disappointed!

And don't forget to Like us on Facebook!

Top 5 Reasons to Like Yum Runnerz

Yum Runnerz is on a mission: to gain more support from the community... in the form of Facebook Likes.

Why should you support Yum Runnerz? Here are just five of the many reasons:

1. We are a local company, pushing local goods, and spreading the word about local artisans... so in a way, if you like us, you like local. And anyone who's anyone knows that local is where it's at.

2. When you like us on Facebook, you will learn about new products that we are repping, exciting ways to use products we already rep, and every now and then we'll surprise you with an inspiring quote or a golden nugget of information.

3. Get connected with other local artisans by exploring our website and Facebook page.

(I just have to ask...)

4. Why not?

And, I saved the best for last:

5. You could win a goodie basket of local products! If we reach 300 likes, all new Facebook likes from April 12th to June 1st will be entered into a drawing for a wonderful basket filled with goodness from local artisans like Pâté Letelier, Spicewood Food Company, and others. Read more about the giveaway here.

Did I convince you, yet? If so, head on over to our Facebook page, check out what's happening, and Like us!

Happy Monday!

Local Product of the Week: Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Strawberries are starting to pop up in our CSAs and at the Farmers' Market and, while I know you don't need ideas of ways to eat them, here are a few ways to use strawberries AND support a local food artisan like The Spicewood Food Company.

The Spicewood Food Company specializes in infused oils, balsamic vinegars, and (this week's highlighted item) a Traditional Style Barrel Aged Balsamic Vinegar that has been aged twelve years.

Oh my... we just got so excited here at Yum Runnerz just talking about everything it would be good with.

Here are a few ways to pair strawberries and aged balsamic vinegar:

Cut strawberries in half and toss with a bit of balsamic. Let sit so juices from the strawberries can mix with the balsamic. Toast a few pieces of bread and spread a thick layer of goat cheese on top. Add a few pieces of prosciutto and top off with strawberries.

In a large bowl, toss together some spinach, sliced strawberries, walnuts, some goat cheese crumbles, a little bit of olive oil, sea salt, and a drizzle of balsamic.

Or, our favorite:
Slice up the strawberries, put them on top of a few scoops of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle with some aged balsamic.

You can find their products on the shelves at Specs or taste some of their other products at local restaurants like Cippolina, TRIO, and Siena. 

Hard Work is Key

If we've learned one thing at Yum Runnerz, it's that hard work is the key to success.

I know, I know... so cliche! But, the truth is that so many small business owners and local artisans get easily discouraged when a store says no to their product, or they have issues finding the right packaging, etc.... There are countless struggles that come with running a local artisan food company.

Don't be so depressing, you may say. The other side of the coin, of course, is that the fruit of your labor is so so sweet. With patience, persistence, and passion (and staying true to the heart of your business) you will see success. (See our post A Pesky Job that PAYS OFF!!!)

In honor of these lessons learned, the next few weeks we will be tweeting quotes about all of these topics... a little bit of encouragement for you local artisans out there.

And, remember.... you don't have to do it all on your own! That's what Yum Runnerz is here for – to lighten the load and do some of the leg work that you simply don't have time for. Check out our website to see a list of services we offer to help you and your business.

Nothing Better Than a Giveaway!

Ok folks... I'm about to make it really easy for you to win a fabulous basket of local products.

All you have to do is head over and Like us on Facebook. On June 1st, we will do a drawing of all new followers (you must have Liked Yum Runnerz on/after April 11th) and the winner will get a gift basket filled with goodies from local vendors like Zhi Tea and Pâté Letelier.

Now, that doesn't sound too hard, right?

Oh, and one more thing... We must reach 300 likes by the deadline for the drawing to take place. So, spread the word about Yum Runnerz.

Disclaimer: This is an independent contest arranged solely by Yum Runnerz... not Facebook.

2nd Retail Ready Workshop

We just held our second Retail Ready Workshop for local food artisans, so I thought it was a perfect time to get back into the swing of things here on the blog. We held the workshop at Hot Mama's Cafe in East Austin... a great little cafe with coffee, Mediterranean inspired food, and (of course) delicious desserts! At the workshop we had a great group of local artisans show up to take in all sorts of information about starting a local food company, getting products ready for the shelves, and actually getting them into stores. We then had special guest Jeffrey Lorien from Zhi Tea come share about the beginnings of his company, challenges, successes, and the importance of packaging. Thanks to everyone who came out for the workshop!

Stay tuned for more information about our next workshop that will focus specifically on packaging and marketing. There will be a few special guests who have tons of experience with design and packaging so you will not want to miss out!