Momma Told Me: March Foodie Penpal Reveal: A Little Early

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March Foodie Penpal Reveal: A Little Early

Hi there! If you're coming from Momma Told Me, then you're already a little aware of the Foodie PenPal program, but for those new, let me tell you what this post is all about. Started by Lindsay, of The Lean Green Bean, a year ago, this monthly (free) online social event is open to both bloggers and readers. Over 1000 participants signed up this month, in the US alone, committing to send a box of foodie goodies ($15 value cap) to a complete stranger; in the name of sharing great food, and meeting new people. Every month, on the 5th of the month, Julie sends out a spreadsheet with your randomly assigned match. The person you will be sending a box to is NOT the person you will receive a box from; so you get to meet 2 new people each month!
Once you have your contact information, it is up to you to reach out to your Foodie PenPal and request their mailing information, in addition to any food allergies/preferences. Then, you have until the 15th of the month to put together an array of store bought and/or home cooked goodies. Julie requires that each box contains something hand written, from an actual penpal letter to a simple explanation of what's inside. When you receive your box you're welcome to dig in and start enjoying all the wonderful treats. Then, on the last day of each month, all of the Foodie PenPals post a reveal of what they received. If your recipient doesn't own a blog, they can elect to write a guest post for your site and vice versa. This program was the inspiration for Time Out For Truffles new PetPals PenPal program, ran along a similar set-up, for pet owners. I highly suggest checking them BOTH out, they're great ways to take your social network offline, and even encourage social skills within families. Why not sign up the family and make it a monthly project?
This month my match was Jeannette from The Whimsical Cupcake, fellow bakestress and sweet tooth, who's last blog entry was just shy of a year ago, and her first Foodie Penpal post. This month I told my match that I loved indulgent snacks that would allow me to splurge, and cited flavors such as peanut butter and teriyaki. Jeannette did an amazing job; one of the first things I pulled out of her box, after the hand written note, was a bag of Teriyaki Pork Jerky from KRAVE. I thought it was cute how she apologized for sending me a brand of jerky made in my home state- KRAVE is still the best jerky, in my opinion, by far! There were plenty of peanut butter findings, including yummy stuffed pretzel bites and a Justin's Honey Peanut Butter single serve, as well as a White Chocolate Easter Reese's, which didn't last the night. I was really thrilled with the creativity and number of unique items my FPP had managed to put together. There was a bottle of Frank's hot sauce and some Pumpkin Spice mallows (the other half has claimed).
PEEPs mallows
 I have to admit, there was one find in particular that did make me squeal like a little girl- the above PEEPS 60th Anniversary package. These Vanilla Creme white PEEPS sparkled with a rainbow of hard candy flakes that tickled me down to the 5 year old pig-tailed girl inside. This just may never actually get eaten, they make me smile just looking at em! Some other hits included a Nutella To Go snack stick cup and Emerald Breakfast on the Go fruit and nut pouch. I always love receiving single portion or snack size items I can indulge in throughout the week, and this was a great months for that!

I hope you've enjoyed reading about my third month with the Foodie PenPal program. I truly love discovering treats that I can't find anywhere local to me! Thank you to Jeannette for the wonderful box of goodies, and Lindsay of the Lean Green Bean for organizing this month's event!

10 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for telling us about this fabulous program!!! I absolutely want to join. What a great way to meet new people and score some yummy food, love it!!

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  2. What a great program. And oh my goodness- those peeps!!!!

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  3. This looks like lots of fun! I've never seen those peeps before! Yum!

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  4. what a fun program and the Vanilla Creme white PEEPS would make me squeal too.

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  5. That is such a fun program. I had no idea it even existed. But that is really fun!

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  6. Cute idea. I love Conscious Box with all natural food and beauty products.

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  7. What a cool program! I had never heard of it before! Great way to meet people and experience new little treats!

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  8. That is pretty cool - especially almond butter

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  9. Well this certainly looks fun, is the postage high? and I want those Vanilla creme peeps too!

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  10. this looks like a fun program!

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