Exploring Tampa's Convenience Stores; Becoming A Food Influencer

Jeff Houck is a former newspaper reporter and food writer at the  old Tampa Tribune,  and is now the marketing and public relations director for Columbia Restaurant Group in Tampa. Jeff has lately become enamored of local, mom and pop convenience stores around the Tampa Bay area, and has been documenting them in his own pithy, humorous style. Isabel Laessig is the creator of  Sunday Supper Media, a network that connects social media influencers with food and wine companies seeking publicity. Brands like Certified Angus Beef, Cabot Cheese and the Florida Strawberry Growers Association have enlisted Isabel’s team to promote their products. Her own  Instagram page, @FamilyFoodie, has tens of thousands of followers. Getting paid to eat and post pictures of food sounds like a sweet gig—but aspiring food influencers should steer clear of the pitfalls, as Isabel explained to our producer, Dalia Colón. Support for The Zest Podcast comes from Seitenbacher Brand Natural Foods, like Muesli cereals, oils, oatmeal, energy bars, gluten free fruit gummies for the kids, organic coffee and more. Available in supermarkets, health food stores or online at Seitenbacher.com.