Like many other bloggers, Taylor usually notes when a company sends her free samples. Since the site isn't her primary source of income, Taylor doesn't think accepting samples worth a few dollars will sway her opinion.

To generate buzz for its new hot cereals, Amy's Kitchen recently shipped out samples to several bloggers before the item hit supermarket shelves. The organic food maker was subsequently inundated with e-mails asking where the cereals could be found.

Since Amy's doesn't spend money on national advertising, online word of mouth is critical, said Michelle Erbs, the company's marketing manager.

Many of the 50 or so sites Amy's tracks are about vegan, gluten-free or vegetarian eating, making the readers ideal targets for the company. Amy's even tweaked its Indian samosa wrap recipe after several of the sites noted they were too dry and when HeatEatReview gave its Pesto Tortellini high marks, Erbs left a comment on the site thanking Jones for the review.

The way any given company reaches out to food blogs varies widely, of course. The Hershey Co. invites bloggers to product launches along with the mainstream media. Kraft Foods Inc., which owns Post, makes it a point to keep blogs aware of all its newest products and even advertises on the more popular sites like HungryGirl and Best of the Bite, said Sydney Lindner, a company spokeswoman.

Smaller companies, meanwhile, are more likely to reach out personally to bloggers and answer inquiries about ingredients or production. In return, being reviewed could make a bigger difference for new companies seeking to gain exposure.

Bonbonbar, a Los Angeles-based maker of handmade chocolate bars and marshmallows, saw an immediate jump in sales after its chocolate bars were reviewed on Candy Blog.

"A lot of people were buying as a direct result of (blogger Cybele May's) review," said Nina Wanat, the company's founder.

Wanat, a food blogger herself, said even a not-so-favorable review can help business. Loyal readers understand that reviews are based on the blogger's particular tastes, and may want to try a product despite a bad review, Wanat said. The important thing is making people aware that the product is available, she said.

Taylor of IAteAPie agrees.

"The only thing that's worse than a bad review is no review," she said.

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