An interview with artist Susan Waughtal about the Vegetable Alfombra created at the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace on December 7, 2019...

The FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace in Rochester, Minnesota featured the construction of a 20' by 30' mandala of local veggies, created in the style of Latin American street festival displays. The produce was purchased from 11 area farms through the Farmers Market Food Hub in partnership with the Rochester Farmers Markets.

Artist/farmer/baker Susan Waughtal of Squash Blossom Farm suggested the Alfombra idea after being approached by FEAST! co-founder Renewing the Countryside, a nonprofit based in Minneapolis. After the event, the produce was re-boxed and donated to the Channel One Regional Food Bank.

Thanks to Ross Ballinger for the video:

This activity was made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is made possible through sponsorship. Premier sponsors are Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Renewing the Countryside, and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.