The Liz Lovely Cookies Factory Tour

Yesterday, we ventured down to Waitsfield, Vermont to visit the crew at Liz Lovely Cookies: Liz, Dan, Andy, Lauren, and Don-all great people.  We had scheduled a bakery tour, and they were incredibly helpful, answering any questions we had, and more!

I wanted to see how a company (much bigger than Eddie’s) operates.  They started out much like us, with a five quart Kitchen Aid mixer in their house.  Luckily, they picked up a distributor and shot to the moon–they are now in over 400 stores nationwide.

It was quite the inspiration for my parents and I to see where Eddie’s Energy could potentially end up in a few years.  As most of you know, I still have two years of college to go through, and this is a long-term learning process, if you will.  To see other companies be successful (and in Vermont!) was so exciting for me.  It makes me want my own space with a couple of employees and nation-wide distribution–don’t worry, Mom!

One of the key things I learned from Dan, the co-founder of Liz Lovely Cookies, was that you continually have to innovate and launch new products.  As small as we are, we are constantly testing new flavors, as well as new product lines to see what the VIP customers think of our new creations.

With that said, if you frequent the three farmer’s markets that we do in Vermont: Williston, Hinesburg, and Middlebury, you will start to see new flavors to sample.  All I ask of you, is that you let me know if you like it or not.  Whether positive or negative, any feedback helps us create fantastic new products.

Enjoy the beautiful weather here in the Northeast and get outside for a nice hike!

I’m Going to Build an Ark

Ok.  Just kidding!  It has rained an incredible amount these past few weeks, and the rivers around our bakery are high.  I had thoughts of collecting two of every animal and going to Home Depot for some wood.

I thought I would use this time to update you all on how Eddie’s is doing through these humid summer months.  We have been creating a couple of new flavors and testing them out at local farmer’s markets.  You may see them up on the website for sale if one of them goes really well.  The best response we have gotten is for the strawberry banana bar, which we plan to bake more of next week.

We do our fair share of research, and I have  my two excel files calculating data, so I can let you all in on a little secret: our most popular flavors.  It turns out that the top rank goes to cranberry orange (which is on sale until the end of this month), followed by peanut butter chocolate chip.  All of you seem to ask so I thought you deserved to know.

The school year starts up next month, and we are stocking the freezers.  Selling to schools was something I never thought of doing until parents (and teachers) of students there were so enthusiastic about having their children eat a healthy, all natural snack, instead of greasy potato chips.  So, we went for it, and it has turned out to be a great outlet.  Look for this segment of our distribution to hopefully expand when we pitch our product to more schools in the area.

Lastly, and most exciting, we are up for a potential review in Backcountry Magazine in their upcoming White issue!  Sweet!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars

Keep Buying Local at Your Farmer’s Market

We are doing three farmer’s markets this summer, around the state of Vermont, so I have  a lot of time to browse the other vendor’s wares, and I have been very impressed with the produce that has been growing in this fine state.

It seems that this summer, I have been making most of my purchases locally, and eating a lot more local food.  It not only supports the local community, but it tastes SO much better.  The freshness of fresh picked carrots, just pulled from the ground that morning is amazing.  In this post, for you local Vermonters, or those traveling to the Green Mountain State, I have decided to list a couple of my favorite foods that I have bought at the Williston, Middlebury, and Hinesburg farmer’s markets:

• New Russet Potatoes from Scratch ‘n Earth Farm in Williston
• Snap Peas from Elmore Farm in East Montpeiler
• Raspberries from Norris Berry Farm in Monkton
• Maple Creemees from Comeau Family Sugarhouse in Williston
• Blueberries from Valley Dream Farm in Cambridge
• Carrots from Cricket Organics in Hinesburg
• Spinach from 2 Sweet Acres in Hinesburg
• Whoopie Pies at the Hinesburg Market–I am a sucker for a good whoopie pie.

So, as you can see, I have been buying a lot of local produce.  I encourage you to do the same and experience the difference.  With rising food costs at the grocery store, buying local is a great (sometimes more inexpensive) way to feed your family.

I hope everyone is doing well.  As a reminder, you can always find our energy bars (and mustard) at the Williston, Hinesburg, and Middlebury Farmer’s Markets.

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars

Attn Boaters: Grab an Eddie’s Bar at Shelburne Shipyard

Just a quick note here–we have been talking with the fine people over at Shelburne Shipyard, and just today, our bars will be offered there, through July and into early August (the busy season)

Although it is short notice, we believe this is the beginning of a great relationship with the Shipyard.

We have been getting a lot of you to recommend stores for us to go into locally and out of state.  We are looking into each one of them, and if we think it’s the right fit, we’ll make the call and see what Eddie’s magic we can pull.

Stay tuned!

Michael

Happy 4th of July from Eddie’s!

Good Morning Everyone,

It’s an overcast morning, here in Richmond, VT, as everyone gets ready for the Main Street Mile downtown, and the Las Vegas themed parade.

We’ll be heading down shortly to enjoy the festivities today, and coming right on back at dusk for what should be an incredible fireworks display.  If you are in the area, come on down! Richmond’s 4th of July celebration is enjoyable for all ages!

With that said, I hope everyone enjoys their 4th of July!

Michael, Owner
Eddie’s Energy Bars