Wishing you safe, healthy and happy holiday celebrations!

May they be full of local foods grown and made by farmers and makers from around our region, when possible! 
 

FEAST Season!

The FEAST! Local Foods Magazine is out—have you snatched a copy yet? Scroll down for the sneak peek, and keep your eyes out for the digital release, coming soon!

This year's hybrid FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is taking shape, with 40+ local food vendors on board, and sales opening Nov. 8 for pickup Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Graham Park Fairgrounds. Read on for profiles on two of the vendors you'll find in this year's event, and other ways you can enjoy supporting local.

FALL is here—and all that that implies

Cool nights and falling leaves. Gardens giving out their last glory. And of course, the election. But in the Midwest, with the inevitable cold on the way, it's a time to appreciate those good weather days along with the autumn beauty.  

The FEAST! Local Foods Magazine is taking shape, and we're looking forward to its October release! We're also signing up vendors to participate in this year's hybrid FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, which will open with online sales in November, and culminate on Sunday, December 6th, at the Graham Park Fairgrounds. Read on for all the news...

Announcing: FEAST!—the COVID-era version

We've all experienced fewer opportunities to gather together this year. We've also seen that with planning and precautions, things designated as "essential" have remained, though in a limited way. That has worked for farmers' markets, and for grocery stores. We believe that Local Food Is Essential—and are a part of that groundswell campaign (learn more below). 

And so, to support FEAST! connections this year as we have for six years running, we're working on a plan for a modified FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, on Sunday, December 6th, at the Graham Park Fairgrounds. Read on for all the news...

Celebrating the harvest

We need to celebrate all of the good things going on this year, more than ever, and plucking those ripe veggies from the garden is definitely one of those good things!

Check out some great farm-y news below, like vineyard happenings at Cannon River Winery, a combined farm+restaurant+bakery+nonprofit venture in St Joseph, MN, and a farm in Long Prairie, MN working on the wholesale side of things. Also meet a new leader at Grow North, and get the latest contest news!

Community is essential.

From COVID and social distancing, to the increased urgency around our need for actions and understanding around racial injustice, this has been a year of intense conversations. 

We welcome you to be a part of the local food conversation by getting involved with FEAST! Local Foods Magazine Volume Three, set for a mid-October release. Read on for an update from Ferndale Market and another partner that fuels FEAST!  Scroll down to learn about Adrian Lipscombe, her La Crosse, WI restaurant, and her crowdfunding project that's gathered huge momentum in a few weeks time.

Plus, enter this month's contest (scroll down for details). Here's to safe socializing and appreciating each other—especially those keeping our local food systems alive and well. 

Warm weather is here...

and farmers are growing nourishing food for us, as they do every year. Do you know your farmers and food makers? We're happy to help with that! 

This month we introduce you to a company working to help you find local makers NearestYou, check in with one of the many CSA farms selling out their membership subscriptions, and recognize a Rochester restaurant cooking for students and front line workers. Finally, we introduce you to FEAST! partner, GreenSeam, and invite you to enter another contest. We hope you're enjoying the 3-day weekend and unofficial kickoff to summer!