Wellness Wednesday: Local Farmers Markets

In our last Wellness Wednesday blog post, Susan talked about her family’s decision to eat primarily whole foods. One of the most inexpensive places to shop for whole foods, especially produce, is at your local farmers market. Here are some additional benefits to shopping at farmers markets:

• The vendors are knowledgeable about which fruits and vegetables are in season, what they should look/feel like when ripe, and how to prepare them.
• Buying local will help boost your local economy.
• At many farmers markets, you can also buy prepared food, fresh bread, plants, locally-made art, jams & jellies, handmade jewelry, candles, and much more.

We want to help you find your local farmers market! Here are some Florida farmers markets that are near our offices and our clients:

Clearwater, Florida – Wednesdays, 9am-2pm, Cleveland Street District

Ft. Myers, Florida – Thursdays, 7am-1:30pm, Centennial Park

Ft. Pierce, Florida – Saturdays, 8am-12pm, Downtown Fort Pierce

Jacksonville, Florida – Open from dawn to dusk, 365 days/year, West Beaver Street

Kissimmee, Florida – Thursdays, 7am-1pm, Toho Square

Ocala, Florida – Saturdays, 8am-1pm, Downtown Ocala Square

Orlando, Florida – Sundays, 10am-4pm, Lake Eola Park

Sarasota, Florida – Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Main Street & Lemon Street

St. Petersburg, Florida – Saturdays, 9am-2pm, 1st Avenue South & 1st Street

Tampa, Florida – Fridays, 10am-2pm, Twiggs Street

Most of the markets are open from October-May but some are open year-round!

Thanks for reading and happy shopping,

Lindsey Lupfer
Communication Specialist
Bouchard Insurance

Wellness Wednesday: A Whole Foods Conversion

Last fall I made the decision to clean out the pantry and convert my family’s diet to whole foods. In one fell swoop we emptied the kitchen of nearly all of the packaged and processed foods and restocked with beans, grains and fresh foods. I researched, tried new recipes and discovered something resembling my grandmother’s kitchen in my own. Then the holidays came along and threw us off course; it was too soon to have built a firm enough foundation to keep us on track. The kitchen is finally cleaned out again and we are getting back in the swing of things, so I thought I would answer the most commonly asked question – isn’t eating this way more expensive?

My grocery bill has stayed relatively steady. Some things are more costly, others are not. I’ve learned that the key is planning. If I plan and shop for a weekly menu I’m not buying items or quantities I don’t need. Also, if I keep a few staples in the house I can pull something other than what’s on the menu together. I also cook ahead and use my freezer. Initially getting set up cost a little more; the same would be true to stock up on traditional pantry items.

To clarify whole foods vs. organic – in short, whole foods are foods found in their most natural state with as little processing as possible. Organic foods are grown with no pesticides, hormones or antibiotics. A whole food does not have to be organic. There is a higher price tag on most organic foods. I don’t buy everything organic, though I do where research tells me it counts the most.

Cut out this guide and keep it in your wallet to use when shopping for produce.

In the end my decision was about overall health. We are a society with more serious health problems than any other, and I can’t help but think that the altered and processed foods we eat contribute to the major health challenges we face today. Since making this change I have felt and slept better, been more focused and experienced other favorable changes to my health. When we slipped backwards over the holidays I felt a difference; now I am anxious to get back to where I was and see what is ahead as this becomes a more solid way of life.

Reference and recipe books I love (these views are my own!) –

Super Natural Every Day: Well-loved Recipes from My Natural Foods Kitchen – Heidi Swanson

Whole Grains Every Day, Every Way – Lorna Sass

The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia - Rebecca Wood 

Thanks for reading,

Susan Reynolds

Bouchard Insurance

Rebranding: A Design Perspective

One of my very first projects as Graphic Design Coordinator at Bouchard Insurance was to rebrand the company, creating a whole new look and feel, brand mark, and atmosphere that would best represent the company and its qualities. Bouchard needed a brand mark that was modern, professional, and representative of the company’s Mission statement and Guiding Principles.

It didn’t take long for me to learn that I’d joined a well-respected team. Bouchard Insurance has a reputation for not only always delivering strong customer service, but for constantly striving to find new ways to improve its customer service. Bouchard needed a redesign platform that would build equity and successfully position its new brand.

The challenge was to communicate a balance of the company’s primary Guiding Principle, Client First, and an integrious, professional work environment, while ensuring that the design was impactful enough to stand out amongst competitors. The former brand mark was outdated and representative of the company’s time under bank ownership.

The new Bouchard Insurance brand mark was designed using a subtle arch over the stem of the h, similar to an umbrella, signifying protection and coverage, along with a raised surface effect behind the logotype. The Client First tagline was incorporated directly into the new brand mark to communicate its significance.

Designing a new brand mark is the most important part of the rebranding process, but it is only the beginning; since then, I have redesigned letterhead, stationery, business cards, signage, promotional materials, and more. To make this process easier, I created a Corporate Identity Brand Manual, which ensures proper usage of the new brand mark by employees, printers, and other vendors. A brand manual should include a detailed description of the brand mark and its proper uses.

This is a one page excerpt from Bouchard's new Corporate Identity Brand Manual.

You can find more tips on creating a brand manual here.

Thanks for reading,

Jose Figueroa III

Graphic Design Coordinator

Bouchard Insurance

A Letter from Doug Bishop, CEO

Dear Readers,

Since 1948, Bouchard Insurance has been providing direction, confidence, and support to our clients. Our founder, Roger Bouchard, once stated, “Bouchard Insurance will become the premier insurance agency by offering the highest level of service, the most adequate insurance coverage available, at the most affordable price.”

Today, Bouchard Insurance is the largest privately held full lines insurance retail agency in the State of Florida.  We have achieved success by focusing on the core values identified by Mr. Bouchard in 1948, and later defined in our Guiding Principles: Integrity, Professionalism, and a “Client First” mentality.

We are excited to introduce our new brand mark that embodies these values and speaks to who we have become as an organization. The new brand mark emphasizes our name: Bouchard Insurance.  With over 60 years of experience, the name alone is recognized as a symbol of professionalism in the insurance agency industry.  This is evident by the insurance carriers’ requests we receive to represent their products, and the recognition we have received from national, regional, and state publications.  Yet the best compliment we receive is from our clients who thank us for our professionalism and our ability to deliver at high levels.

The brand mark also includes our primary guiding principle, “Client First”.  At Bouchard Insurance, “Client First” is more than a statement, it is our purpose. We know that putting the needs of our clients ahead of our own will provide support and security that will allow our clients to focus on what matters in their lives.  This is not a statement about providing great customer service.   The definition of great customer service has become fuzzy and is certainly open to interpretation. “Client First” is not fuzzy! There is no room for interpretation or misunderstanding; our clients’ needs come before our own, period.  The “Client First” purpose does not end with our clients. The needs of the employees of Bouchard Insurance come before the needs of the organization. The needs of our fellow co-workers come before our own needs. The “Me Second” mentality of Bouchard employees supports and promotes our “Client First” purpose and has created a workplace that is recognized year after year as one of the Best Places to Work.

We are confident that our tried-and-true values and new look will blend seamlessly in 2012. We’re attracting new talent and utilizing new technology while aiming to provide an unprecedented level of customer service. This month we are launching a brand new website, reviving our blog, and most importantly, renewing our commitment to putting our clients first.

Thank you for reading, and be sure to check back often. Happy and Hopeful New Year to you all.

Doug Bishop

CEO, Bouchard Insurance