Photo: straitic

Yesterday a Facebook friend posted a link to a newspaper article highlighting Phickle's Pickles, a homegrown business finding success in my hometown. I am an unapologetic freak for pickled things, so it got my attention. And the media student in me was as interested in the article for a couple of different reasons...

1.  I'm a good 2,500 miles from the kitchen where this business started, yet I'd already heard of it by the time it was covered in the paper. Through the magic of social media, I recognized the brand immediately.

2.  It is a great thing that the local newspaper gave them some ink — But again, I'm struck by the notion that this customer would never have seen even the electronic version of it without the help of social media.

Realizing this made me smile, because Phickle's Pickles is just the kind of enterprise I'd love to see grow. Until now, I've always found products like this at local shops or farmer's markets and street fairs — So while I wait for my social media recommended Phickles to arrive, I was inspired to make a list. Here are some favorite discoveries that are too good to only be known locally. I'm happy to use this social media forum to spread the word.

	BLACK SHEEP GOURMET FOODS Visalia, CA We bought a jar of GOURMET ATOMIC FROG BALLS at a central California winery as a gag gift. Who would want to eat spicy pickled brussels sprouts except on a dare? Well, the joke turned out to be on us — we tried them ourselves and became instant fans. Just writing this makes me go to the fridge to get one for a snack. We went through that first jar with a quickness and got online to order six more.
	BUFALIA di VERMONT Woodstock, VT We would never have known about Bufalia di Vermont if it hadn't been carried by the precious cafe / general store where we stopped for lunch. MAPLE FLAVORED YOGURT is a marriage of two of the best things Vermont has to offer. But this isn't like any Vermont dairy product at your local market. It's made from water buffalo milk. Delicious and unique. I have not ordered this little discovery online, but it certainly stands out in my mind. If I never make it back to Woodstock, VT, I'm glad to know I can still buy it.
	CHINA RANCH DATE FARM Shoshone, CA I didn't even think I liked dates until I visited China Ranch. It's an oasis in the desert right outside of California's Death Valley, and their homemade DATE NUT BREAD is to die for. I enjoy the drive out that way, so I'll likely go again. But anyone anywhere can enjoy the date bread because they sell it on the Internet.
	MICKLE'S PICKLES Picayune, MS Mickey the Pickle Guy has a sense of humor. He travels to festivals and fairs to sell what he calls "the second best pickle on the planet." This kind of humility certainly works for him — his homegrown business continues growing. I became a customer at a New Orleans craft fair, and the first best pickle of Mickle's offerings in my opinion is the humbly named NOT HOT JALAPENO FLAVORED PICKLE. The thin-sliced sweet and spicy chips are practically required on any sandwich. That's why I'm glad they'll ship all the way to Las Vegas.
	ROBERT IS HERE Florida City, FL Robert Is Here is NOT here in Vegas, which is why I have to order GOOD AND EVIL PICKLES online. Robert runs an inviting fruit stand at the gateway to the Florida Everglades. Along with exotic produce, he sells these absolutely mouth-watering snacks. I've only ever tried the spicy pickles, but they're too tasty to only be known to travelers to the Everglades. So they are last, but certainly not least on my list of recommendations