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Got Local?
Valley View Farms
A valued, 5-year exhibitor at the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, Hastings Cooperative Creamery, selling under the Valley View Farms brand, has merged with Plainview Milk Products Cooperative as of last December.
The Plainview Cooperative was established in 1899, and the combined 100 employees will appreciate more efficiencies for producing and distributing their quality dairy products while still honoring their model of sourcing milk directly from about 200 member-owners in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
As Marketing Manager Richard Trebtoske puts it, "We saw this as great merger, our products complement each other which makes us both stronger to serve our customers."
All Valley View Farms flavored milks are free of High Fructose Corn Sweetener and are certified rBGH/rBST free. In addition to a full range of milk products, they produce rich eggnog, buttermilk, heavy whipping cream and half & half. Richard notes, "Our Skim Chocolate milk has GREAT FLAVOR and NO AFTERTASTE."
Read more:
Plainview Milk Cooperative website
Pictured: Proud farm family member of the Plainview Milk Products Cooperative...one of about 200!
Plainview Cooperative is an asset to regional food businesses that want to source a variety of wholesale products, from butter to nonfat dried milk powder.
In this increasingly difficult time for family farms, Plainview Cooperative is doing it right!
Follow @valleyviewmilk on Facebook
Eateries
Bleu Duck Kitchen
Have you been to the Bleu Duck Kitchen? Co-owned by Chef Erik Kleven and Jennifer Becker, the trendy decor is not all that impresses. Reviews say things like, "offers eclectic delicious entrees and smaller plates" and, "Its location on the edge of downtown makes it very convenient and the service is always prompt and friendly. I love their rotating selection of craft cocktails and the bar menu has lots of good small bites options."
The Bleu Duck name comes from Adam Sandler's fictional character Billy Madison, and just like him, they like to try new things.
Established in 2016, Bleu Duck is proud to partner with local farmers and to offer an ever-changing menu. Their website warns, "Menus Change Often due to seasonality and Whim."
With a separate bar menu, daily noodle offer and a pastry chef on staff, you'll always find variety. Plus, Bleu Duck also features an exhibition kitchen — creating an environment of not only “fine-dining” but also “fun-dining.”
Bleu Duck offers a venue space and a private dining room is also available. Generally open evenings, they offer brunch on Saturdays and special occasions.
This Saturday Beatz and Brunch is back, with DJs Gavin Boss and SlimKidd, an À la carte menu, fully-stocked cereal bar and bottomless mimosas.
GET THERE:
14 Fourth Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902
Bleu Duck Kitchen website
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Fresh & Tasty
Four Daughters Vineyard & Farm
Since opening in December 2011, Four Daughters has become an agricultural powerhouse in the Midwest wine and craft beverage industry.
Located in rural Spring Valley, MN on 9 acres, Four Daughters grows 6 acres of grapes and sources additional grapes from farmers all over the tri-state area. Besides the vineyard, production area and tasting room, they offer a restaurant and scenic on-farm event center.
Six different varieties of cold-hardy grapes are carefully tended throughout the year, from wintertime pruning to training the vines throughout the summer.
“Our grapes grow on our family's farmland, so our vineyard and world-class tasting room are surrounded by cornfields!” says one of the four daughters, Kristin Osborne.
Did you know?
In 2016, Four Daughters was the official wine provider for the Sundance Film Festival! Among awards they've received is the coveted Governor's Cup trophy at the 2012 International Cold Climate Wine Competition (ICCWC), for their 2011 La Crescent, which also took home the "Best of Show" award for the top white wine.
Four Daughters hosts special events throughout the year, including their extremely popular Dine in the Vines series held on full-moon nights throughout the summer.
Osborne says, “These typically sell out by spring, but guests can always be added to a waiting list!” On the last full moon in August they hold their perennially popular Lobster Boil, which has sold out for the past several years.
Their Loon Juice has two new varieties for 2019: Rose, Eh? and Extra Juicy, which will be sold as six packs and variety packs. Visit their website to shop or see their events calendar, restaurant hours, and more. (Like dates for their free Movies in the Vineyard nights, starting with Crazy Rich Asianson June 12th.)
CONTEST TIME!
To enter, tell us:
What SPARKS JOY for you about local foods?
If you've heard of Marie Kondo, you know what we mean!
In life, we sometimes throw away old practices that aren't meaningful, but if buying local sparks joy for you, it's a habit that's a keeper. Give us your heartfelt homage to why local foods are important. Reply here to enter, or enter on social media using the hashtag #LocalFeastFTW (as in, For The Win!)
The Prize:
NEW Swag from Rochester Farmers Markets!
Fresh off of a successful winter market season, Rochester Farmers Markets is ramping up for a spectacular summer with three locations and a sharp new logo! The downtown market opened outside on May 4th and will be open every Saturday through October. Each week features 65-75 unique family farms from within 50-miles of Rochester as well as music, activities and events for the whole family. You'll find Rochester Farmers Markets on Wednesdays at Graham Park and Thursdays Downtown this season as well.
Who's Fueling FEAST!?
City of Cannon Falls
As the FEAST! Network is a collaborative effort, we're grateful for the active participation of the City of Cannon Falls!
Besides their involvement in planning meetings and the Marketplace event, they are very active in promoting the strong contingent of local foods businesses in their city and surrounding countryside.
Here we offer a sampling, and Farmers Market Manager Dianne Howard notes, "Other local businesses also support FEAST!, including Lorentz Meats, Cannon River Winery, Tilion Brewing Company, Artisan Plaza Food Hall and two farmers markets. Local foods is our business— come visit us soon and taste what we have to offer!'
Ferndale Market, just off Hwy 52, is a 3rd-generation farm raising pastured turkey AND offering products from over 100 local farmers and makers, from buffalo braunschweiger to vegan burritos and everything in between. According to Howard, "John Peterson is a local food champion that networks with the City on many different projects and is also very supportive of all other businesses in Cannon Falls."
Raw Bistro is a pet food company that uses sustainably-produced ingredients from the region. "We believe in the power of the raw food diet to help dogs live their healthiest and happiest lives," says owner Pat Greene. Pat parters with Cannon Falls often, and has been a regular vendor at FEAST!
The FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is a production of the FEAST! Local Foods Network, which is always open to new members. Founded by Renewing the Countryside (RTC) and Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF), both the Network and the Marketplace depend on collaboration with partner organizations and individuals.
The Network supports local food growers and makers by boosting access to financing, peer networking, and sales opportunities. We welcome you to share this newsletter with the buttons below.
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