Welcome to fall—it's the pumpkin spice edition!

Let's make the most of the farmers' markets we have left—have you preserved any of that harvest? If not, never fear: the food businesses of the region are GREAT at using that bounty for their artisan products.

This month we're sharing profiles on West Indies Soul Food and Open Hands Farm, and introducing you to a marketing partner, Hospitality Minnesota. Also, a preview of this year's FEAST! Restaurant Week—coming October 7-13! 

Speak your mind in this month's contest for a chance to win some awesome sauce from West Indies Soul Food!

Where did summer go?

Hopefully you're still enjoying summery days and plenty of fresh veggies, but we all know the cool nights are a harbinger...well, let's not say it! 

This month we're sharing profiles on Seven Sundays and Keepsake Cidery, introducing you to our partner, Agricultural Utilization Research Initiative, and letting you know about some great demos at the Minnesota State Fair (going on now!). And enter this month's contest—with a photo—to win a muesli variety pack from Seven Sundays!

Also: if you'd like to support the FEAST! Local Foods Magazine by placing an ad, the deadline has been extended to Aug. 30! 

We're in the "dog days!"

The term doesn't refer to actual dogs, but to a constellation: to the Greeks and Romans, the “dog days” occurred around the day when Sirius appeared to rise just before the sun, in late July. 

This month we're sharing profiles on CTL Foods, Casablanca Cuisine, Aspelund Winery, Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, and a contest—and if you were waiting until the last minute to reserve ad space in the FEAST! Local Foods Magazine, now would be good...deadline is Aug. 12! 

Summer's bounty begins!

By now we've indulged in asparagus and rhubarb, and are awaiting much more to come! It's been a wet, late spring and our region's farmers are comparatively fortunate—many farmers south of us have a difficult year ahead recovering from flooded fields, which is a good reminder to be grateful for what we have.

This month we're sharing profiles on Wisconsin ginseng producer Heil Harvest, Fiddlehead Coffee Co., Midwest Elderberry Cooperative, and the Post Bulletin, plus a new contest for a chance to win a box of Heil Harvest ginseng tea! 
  

Bring on the May flowers, and outdoor Farmers Markets!

We deserve some pleasant weather and outdoor fun, at last, right?
This month we're sharing news about Valley View Farms, Bleu Duck Kitchen, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery, and the City of Cannon Falls.

PLUS, contests have returned!
Read on for a chance to win swag from Rochester Farmers Markets! 
 

This just in: April snow also brings May flowers!

Okay, we're all ready for warm weather, fresh air, and outdoor activities, right? Check out Kakookies for a healthy grab and go snack, Cameo at the Castle for a special meal when you're too busy to cook, and check in with a local farm if you think you had a tough winter!

Spring IS coming!

Days are getting longer, and farms all over the region are busy as they nurture seedlings and prepare for the soil to come alive again. Hands in the air if you've signed up for a CSA already!
Spring is special in the Midwest— life 'springs' back even after a winter like this...
Scroll down to read about a worthy crowdfunding PIE opportunity on this Pi Day, plus some other good things cooking, growing, and coming soon!

Take heart...there are just 33 days until spring!

Well, okay, that's just what the calendar says. But the good news is that all of this snow should be good for soil moisture, so good for farmers. 
Scroll down to read about some other good things for farmers: bees fostered by Bare Honey, farm-to-table champion Forager Brewery, nutrient-dense microgreens from My Sweet Greens MN, and economic development promoters, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. 
And if you need a jolt of spring, check out this countdown clock...
 

It's 2019...

Clearly, there's a lot of winter left to endure—and we hope you've filled your pantry and freezer with as much preserved local food goodness as you could. Are you full of hope for the new year, and plans to follow your resolutions? We'd like to suggest resolving to get to know more local growers —and also the local food businesses that source ingredients from them.
It's our resolution to help you do that...speaking of which, here's a date to add to your brand new calendar:

FEAST! 2019 will be Saturday, Dec. 7th this year