by Bree Landherr, nutrition student volunteer

Did you know?

Consuming healthy protein in sufficient amounts is important for all, and especially during periods of growth such as childhood, adolescence and pregnancy. It has also been found to be beneficial during aging, for optimal muscle maintenance, and during injury healing. Protein forms the building blocks for new cells, and has the benefit of triggering our body's sensation of satiety. 

As you make your way around the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, keep an eye out for these companies that provide healthy options for protein! Here are a few of those businesses along with some facts about protein:

Ferndale Market (Cannon Falls, MN)- Turkeys just in time for Thanksgiving! Free range turkey that are rotated onto fresh pasture each week and antibiotic free.

Fun fact: one 3 ounce serving of turkey of has 24 grams lean protein 

Hidden Stream Farm (Elgin, MN) offers chicken, beef, pork, eggs, and seasonal vegetables. This environmentally friendly farm uses regenerative farming practices without chemicals or antibiotics.

Fun fact: one 3 ounce serving of chicken breast contains 23 grams of lean protein

After four years of sharing stories, the staff at LOCAL FEAST! Magazine wanted to include some content from you, our readers. So, we created a contest to learn a little more about the joys and challenges consumers experience in adding more local foods to the routines of daily life. 

Many thanks to everyone who helped spread the word about the Localize Your Pantry contest and entered the contest by answering our question: 

In 100 words or less, tell us:

What does buying, cooking and eating local foods mean to you? 

Describe the challenges you face incorporating them into your kitchen and lifestyle.

Our Grand Prize winner was Meeghan P. of Minneapolis, whose winning entry highlighted her appreciation for the way local food nourishes the mind and body, connects her to the past, present and future, and supports farmers and co-ops “who are contributing to a sustainable, healthy, and beautiful world.”

Here are some of the other thoughts you shared:

FEAST! Fall 2023

In-person Festival, Saturday, November 4th, 10am - 4pm

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN

see 2022 Festival vendors here

For inquiries, contact [email protected]

Photo above is from the FEAST! 2022 festival

*2023 VENDOR INFORMATION*

REGISTRATION FEES

Festival Booth: 

Alcohol vendors do not pay to attend.

All non-alcohol applications will be reviewed by a jury of professionals from the FEAST Network before being accepted. In the event that a vendor is not accepted, all fees will be refunded immediately in full. (See "Selection Process" below). 

We're encouraging businesses to sign up for the fall festival and spring tradeshow (March 21, 2024 in Cannon Falls) at the same time. This will positively affect our ability to communicate with wholesale buyers ahead of time about who will be at the the tradeshow and promote your great products.

Exhibitor booth fees (Early Bird discount through August 31)

• Festival, 11/4/23 in Rochester, MN:   $200 (Full price as of Sept. 1: $250)
• Tradeshow, 3/21/24 in Cannon Falls, MN:   $200 ($225 as of Sept. 1, Full price as of Feb. 1: $250)

• Festival booth dimensions: 10x10, including 8' table and two chairs.
• Tradeshow booth fees include 8' table and two chairs, plus networking lunch and afternoon networking sessions.
• Online Marketplace is not planned for fall 2023.
• All vendors are encouraged to attend Vendor Check-in meetings. Contact [email protected] for details. 
• To sell at the FEAST! festival, vendors should hold a retail sales license. See info about obtaining a special event license from MDA here. (Please submit applications at least 14 days before the event.)

VENDOR INFORMATION PACKET

MATCHING DISCOUNTS:

Minnesota businesses can take advantage of cost-sharing programs, and receive up to a 50% match on your exhibitor's fees. 

• Minnesota exhibitors can request a match for your exhibitor fees and some other expenses through the MN Dept. of Agriculture Tradeshow Support Program.   See eligibility information here.

COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS PLANNING:

• We are following guidelines from Governor Walz, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Olmsted County Public Health Services, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• Hand sanitizing stations will be provided. 

PAYMENTS:

When submitting your application you may either pay via credit card or check. Payment must be received before your application will be processed.

PAY ONLINE HERE

PAYING BY CHECK: Please make check payable to "Renewing the Countryside" and write "Feast Exhibitor 2023" in the memo line.

Please return check to:

Renewing the Countryside
312 Center St. East
Hammond, MN 55991

SCHEDULE: 

• Festival vendors may load in either Friday eve. or Saturday morning. See details in the VENDOR INFORMATION PACKET linked above. 

CANCELLATION:

50% refund available through Sept 1 for Festival fee and through Feb 1 for Tradeshow fee. 100% refund if FEAST cancels.
Fees are non-refundable for cancellation on or after October 1, 2023.

SELECTION PROCESS:

Companies and products are reviewed by the FEAST! jury committee based on responses to the application questions. Preference is given to companies that are sourcing ingredients locally or who are interested in learning more about using locally-grown ingredients.  

Would you like to discover delicious, local foods?

Have you been looking for ways to add regional products to your pantry?

Here's your chance to do both for FREE!

Disclaimer: Grand Prize is limited to food items only and does not include cabinetry or countertops of any kind. By entering, you agree to have your response and likeness shared with the FEAST! audience, including but not limited to social media, LOCAL FEAST! Magazine, the FEAST! Local Marketplace event on November 5, 2022, and any additional digital and print media necessary to promote the contest, Marketplace or magazine. Grand prize winner must live within 90 miles of Rochester, MN and be available for a Zoom session in June. Grand prize winner also agrees to approve release of any photographic images of their person or kitchen as needed to promote the story and FEAST! Marketplace event and must be willing to welcome FEAST! staff into their home for purposes of producing the magazine story.

*Deadline extended! All entries must be received by 11:59 pm on Sunday, June 5, 2022 to qualify for one of the following prizes:

	Grand prize winner receives a private consultation with James Beard-Award-Winning author Beth Dooley to revamp the shelf-stable items in your pantry. Beth will share thoughtful insights about how artisan grains, local nuts, oils, sauces and syrups add depth and richness to your cooking, while enriching the local economy. The grand prize includes a bundle of local foods and a grocery gift card to Dooleyize your pantry. You’ll also be featured in Vol 5 of LOCAL FEAST! Magazine. (Valued at over $500!)
	1st Runner Up gets a gift basket of local products and a pair of all-access tickets, admitting two to the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace event on Saturday, November 5, 2022 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. This special prize includes unlimited access to Wine Beer Cider Fest, the tasting extravaganza filled with craft alcohol makers from around the region.    (Valued at over $75!) Winner must be over 21.
	2nd Runner Up wins a pair of admission tickets to the November 5 festival and $10 in FEAST! Bucks (Marketplace Moo-la for event purchases). Includes all-day food sampling and shopping, chef demos, kids' activities, a chance to win delicious local food, as well as the opportunity to meet artisan makers. (Valued at $30!) Admission to Wine Beer Cider Fest not included.

Join us for Year 10 of FEAST!

Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023

10am - 4pm

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN  

Here's a glimpse of the 2022 festival:

Meet the people behind a wide array of local farms and food businesses.
Visit the Online Directory or check out the floor layout and print directory below!

Enjoy sampling Unique artisan-crafted cheese, jam, sauces and more. Stock up on your favorites, and discover fantastic finds for holiday gifts for foodies. Great finds to include in Thanksgiving gatherings!
	Craft Wine / Cider / Beer and Spirits! Fest DETAILS With the purchase of a wristband ticket, attendees over age 21 will have access to our fest within the fest sampling area, as well as the ability to purchase up to six bottles of wine or cider. And, back by popular demand, we're featuring distilleries that work with local grain growers to produce unique, flavorful #graintoglass spirits.
Cooking Demos DETAILS   11am: Mateo Mackbee Head chef and owner, Krewe restaurant 12pm: Erin Lucas  Head baker and owner, Flour & Flower 1pm: Shari Mukherjee MasterChef S10 Top 6 + Spiced Up Mom 2pm: Beth Dooley James Beard Award Winner + locavore at Beth Dooley's Kitchen 3pm: Annie Balow Head chef and owner, ThaiPop
Kids Activities Face painting | Veggie sampling Veggie car racing | Food & Farming books area Temporary tattoos | Carrot & Pea photo ops!	Gift Basket Winners Enter to win by voting for your favorite booth in our People's Choice Award Voting (details available at the festival). We'll present gift baskets throughout the day, and award the People's Choice winning exhibitor at 3:45 just before the show wraps up!
Music: 10am - 12pm Todd Wrigley - acoustic guitar Todd plays original solo fingerstyle Americana music, and says he loves to buy local because "it's all about fresh and great-tasting food, connecting and strengthening our community!" 12 pm - 2 pm  FLATT & SQUARE acoustic guitar, mandolin & string bass  Kat Conlin, Ben Manning, and David Vincent present a mixture of bluegrass and other fun music - be prepared to dance! 2 pm - 4 pm Greg Taylor - acoustic guitar Greg plays percussive acoustic rock, both originals and cover songs by artists like the Beatles, Tom Petty, Eagles, & Bob Dylan. Greg has recorded 2 CDs and has played for the first 4 Mid West Music Fest events in Winona, a summer full of Downtown Mainstreet Red Wing performances this summer, as well as repeat performances at the Rochester KTTC-Eagles Cancer telethon.    Food Truck: Infuzn Foods will be on hand with samosas and more! MENU  |  COUPON   Farmers' Market: A selection of farms will be there with fresh produce from apples to garlic to winter squash	Location: North Lobby & ground floor Exhibit Hall

Did you hear about the Spring '22 Localize Your Pantry contest?

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STAY UPDATED with THE SCOOP NEWSLETTER

Remember this?

Holiday Hacks with Beth Dooley

James Beard-Award Winning cookbook author Beth Dooley walked us through her tips on how easy—and delicious—it is to prepare your favorite holiday dishes with local ingredients. Plus Q&A with Beth! 

WATCH RECORDING HERE

Highlights from the 2019 festival

Cooking demos 

 10:30 — Jena Erie, People's Food Co-op Rochester Kitchen Manager

 11:30 — Erik Kleven, Head chef and co-owner, Bleu Duck Kitchen

 12:30 — Shari Mukherjee, MasterChef Season 10 Top 6 contestant 

   1:30 — Chef Adrian, Tonic Local Kitchen & Juice Bar

   2:30 — Beth Dooley, cookbook author and James Beard Award Winner

FEAST! People's Choice voting

FEAST! attendees helped crown the 2019 People's Choice Award, while entering for a chance to win a gift basket full of local foods goodies!

Children’s activities

Veggie Grand Prix race track! Craft table! And, Mayo Clinic dietitians hosted the Kids' Choice Veggie Sampling table where they could sample and vote with emojis!

Popup Rochester Farmers Market Attendees saw what the winter farmers market had to offer and met their farmers.	Wine and hard cider Samples & sales were allowed for wristband ticket holders (6 bottle limit)

Live music!

10a-12p: Mary DuShane and Nick Jordan, with vintage songs from a range of genres. Mary, the original fiddler on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion radio show, teamed up with Nick on vocals, guitar, mandolin, flute, whistle and foot percussion. Together they presented a lively array of vintage old time, Cajun and swing songs, with Appalachian and some Irish fiddle tunes.

12p-2p: CBB Jazz Combo, featuring Nathan Davidson on saxophone and Dan "The Piano Man" Rengstorf on keys.

2p-4p:  Jake Ilika and Joel Ward Guitar Duo offered their smooth guitar grooves and vocal harmonies

String Survey*

FEAST! attendees weaved yarn through the thought questions to contribute to the visual display! 

FEAST! planners have always worked to engage the community around the issue of local foods beyond the simple act of buying local, and were excited to have the Background Stories "String Survey" to provide a visual means for getting to the deeper level. String Survey asked attendees to weave their own yarn as they responded to survey questions, for a collective display that represents attendees’ thoughts about local foods. Background Stories founder Arlene Birt has participated in installations around the world with her work intersecting art, design, and visual storytelling.

Vegetable Alfombra*

This life-size vegetable design (alfombra means carpet!) was constructed on the floor out of local veggies from area farmers. Artist Susan Waughtal curated the project, creating a design in advance, and allowing festival attendees to take part in creating the giant mandala-like design. After the festival, the veggies were donated to Channel One Food Bank!

*Read more about it on the FEAST! blog

Videographer 

Ross Ballinger was on hand throughout the festival to document the creation of the alfombra and the string survey, capturing testimonials from thoughtful participants and spontaneous fun of all kinds!

Radio Broadcast

We had Minnesota 97.5 there, doing a live remote broadcast from 10-noon, ready to talk to folks about local foods raves & faves!

Come PLAY with your FOOD!

Directions and Parking for the Mayo Civic Center 

Cannon Falls, MN – The FEAST! Local Foods Network held its first-ever standalone tradeshow earlier this month to introduce wholesale buyers to the many unique food businesses in the tri-state region of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa. 

The FEAST! event included recognition of exhibitor businesses for exemplary practices in two categories: supporting regional farms by using locally-grown ingredients in their products, and giving back to their communities in charitable and inspirational ways. 

Ameeta Jaiswal-Dale of Panache talks with fellow exhibitor John Shonyo of The Bee Shed at the FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow, March 17, 2022 in Cannon Falls, MN.

The FEAST! Local Foods Network will hold its first-ever standalone Local Foods Tradeshow for wholesale buyers and manufacturers on Thursday, March 17, at The Grand O2 Event Center, Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Buyers and foodmakers from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota are encouraged to attend.

The Tradeshow focuses on strategies for growing a regional food business such as building relationships with buyers, entrepreneur peer networking, financing and marketing. The FEAST! Network believes it’s vital to support these businesses because they enhance their communities positively—creating jobs, markets for regional farms, unique food products, and business models that give back to the community. “When we support our local shops, local food growers and local food makers, we are helping our neighbors succeed,” says Katie Ruff, owner of By the Spoonful, a small grocery in McGregor, Iowa that champions local foods.

The day’s schedule includes a wholesale expo, networking lunch, and Makers’ Forum comprised of panel discussions and an optional driving tour of Cannon Falls area businesses.

Learn more about the 2022 Tradeshow from the post-event press release and event photos.

Join us for the

2023 FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Thursday, March 17, 2022

The Grand O2 Event Center [view venue]

32057 64th Ave
Cannon Falls, Minnesota 

The FEAST! tradeshow day includes a Buyers' Expo, Lunch and Awards Presentation, and Makers' Forum panel discussions. 

New for 2022, this Spring Tradeshow event will focus on business growth and relationships with buyers—there is no public component to the event, and no online marketplace. As shown below, registration is limited to vendors, buyers, and a small number of available spaces for aspiring entrepreneurs who would like to attend to learn with the "Attendee" registration.

The lunch features a keynote address from Paul Willis of Niman Ranch, (pictured, right) co-founder of Niman Ranch, a network of small, independent, U.S. family farmers raising livestock humanely and sustainably. Paul will share insights about how he scaled up his business responsibly and maintained strong dedication to his founding principles. Today, Niman Ranch products are available at thousands of grocers nationwide and on the menu of some of the country’s most celebrated restaurants and values-driven fast casual chains. 

As Paul says, they are the “to” in Farm to Fork. “I’m glad to have been able to offer an economically viable way for farms to adopt humane standards that are good for the animals, good for the farm, and good for the consumer.” as well as the presentation of the FEAST! awards for innovative local sourcing and inspiring social benefit, along with a new Local Food Champion award recognizing retailers who work to promote local foods.  

Catered lunch will be provided by The Local Plate MN.

The afternoon schedule offers sessions addressing creative financing (2pm), e-commerce practices (3pm), and an entrepreneur panel dedicated to discussing strategies for sharing your story (4pm). There will also be opportunities to step out for a 30-min driving tour of the many local foods businesses in and around Cannon Falls, culminating with a mini tour of the new CannonBelles cheesemaking facility. 

Finally, join us afterwards across the way at the GrandStay Hotel for a networking reception, hosted by the Cannon Falls host subcommittee.

2022 SCHEDULE OVERVIEW 

Hotel Accommodations
GrandStay Hotel, 32027 Alexander Ct, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, (507) 757-1100
Mention FEAST when making the reservation for a 10% Discount

Caravan Motel, 31913 64th Ave, Cannon Falls, MN 55009, (507) 263-4777
FEAST! Room Rate $75.00. Mention FEAST when making the reservation. 

List of 2022 registered buyers: 

Abundant Kitchen [Buffalo, MN]

Blossom Hill Orchard & Farm [Preston, MN]

Co-op Partners Warehouse [Minneapolis, MN]

Costco Wholesale [Rochester, MN]

Farmhouse Market [New Prague, MN]

Just Food Co-op [Northfield, MN]

Kowalski's Market [Woodbury, MN]

Lakewinds Food Co-op [Eden Prairie, MN]

Parkway Market & Coffeehouse [Lanesboro, MN]

Pedal Pushers Cafe [Lanesboro, MN]

People's Food Co-op [La Crosse, WI]

RonMar Foods [Minnetonka, MN]

Seasoned Specialty Food Market [Saint Paul, MN]

Spiral Food Co-op [Hastings, MN]

The Greensted [Zumbrota, MN]

Victual [Remer, MN]

Waconia Public Schools - Cafe #110 [Waconia, MN]

Thank you to our Reception Sponsors!

Join us at the GrandStay Hotel for drinks, bites, and off-topic convo of all kinds...5-7 pm or as long as you'd like to linger!

CannonBelles Cheese

Cannon River Catering

Cannon River Winery

Ferndale Market

Mel-O Honey

Tilion Brewing

At right:

FEAST! 2017 Vendor reception at the Mayo Civic Center Art Center. Photo by Jesse Womack.

The FEAST! Local Foods Network Tradeshow Planning Committee:

Jennifer Alexander, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Pam Bishop, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Elena Byrne, Renewing the Countryside

Brian Erickson, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Eli Goodwell, Renewing the Countryside

Shannan Harris, Red Wing Ignite/E1 Collaborative

Jan Joannides, Renewing the Countryside

John Katz, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation

Brett Olson, Renewing the Countryside

Jason Robinson, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

John Shonyo, The Bee Shed

Michael Sparby, Agricultural Utilization Research Institute

Sam Ziegler, GreenSeam

Cannon Falls Subcommittee:

Laura Qualey, Community and Economic Development Associates

Dianne Howard, City of Cannon Falls

Deeann Lufkin, CannonBelles

John Peterson, Ferndale Market

For questions about the FEAST! Tradeshow schedule, email [email protected].

See the FEAST! 2022 Local Foods Tradeshow program at right:

View past FEAST! Tradeshow Programs:

Rochester, MN – Buying unique local foods is a great way to amplify the holidays, and the FEAST! Local Food Marketplace makes it easy. 

Starting now, you can browse the FEAST! Online Marketplace and order online anytime until midnight Dec. 9 for curbside pick-up at the Mayo Civic Center on Sat., Dec. 11. In addition, you’re invited to come in person for the eighth annual FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace festival, Dec. 11 from 10 am to 4 pm at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester. Find links to shop and buy festival tickets on the website at local-feast.org.

“This is much more than a farmers’ market—it’s like a farmers’ market on steroids,” says event co-host Tim Penny, President and CEO of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. “The FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace offers dozens of items ranging from Caribbean and Southeast Asian sauces to regeneratively raised meats, and vendors ranging from beekeeping chocolatiers to artisan cheesemakers.”  

by Kathryn Orme

Joyce Ford and Jim Riddle began Blue Fruit Farm in 2008. This organic farm in Winona, Minnesota grows a variety of nutrient-packed berries, including aronia berries, black currants, blueberries, honeyberries, and elderberries. They also grow and sell cherry plums and plums. Additionally, they sell jams and juices made from their antioxidant-rich fruits. These fruits are even more nutritious because the perennial shrubs are tended with the utmost care for soil health. 

by Kathryn Orme

Luvafoodie began as a dating website for single foodies in 2014. From there, it evolved into a brand dedicated to clean eating options for sweet treats in 2015. Starting off with caramels and chocolates, the ambitious owner, Michelle, has continued to grow her product line, most recently adding iced tea and all natural spice blends for humans and dogs. Michelle points out that many of the big companies selling spices add so many unnecessary ingredients, and it appears they don’t care about their customers’ health. Her spice line includes blends with no salt, because she knows that excessive salt can be a problem for some people. She emphasizes that she would never make or serve products that she wouldn’t consume herself. 

by Ellen van Roekel

Panache is a women-owned business based in Minnesota’s Twin Cities specializing in artisan, infused apple juices and hard ciders, using Ayurvedic recipes. With these health-conscious drinks, founder and CEO Ameeta Jaiswal aims to amplify the benefits of heirloom apples and support the market for regional orchards’ sustainable farming practices, as opposed to mass production of “table apples.” 

With Panache, Ameeta is committed to maximizing nutritional benefits and creating 100% apple juice with no preservatives, added sugars, or chemical colors. Their apples are sourced from the region around La Crescent, MN and all of its surrounding ridges and valleys formed by the river beds of the Mississippi, St. Croix, Iowa and Kickapoo rivers. The infusions of ginger, mint, turmeric, and elderberry and their creative names tie back to Ameeta’s culture of origin in South Asia, focusing heavily on ayurveda—the food science that is part of the yoga philosophy and lifestyle.

The following wine, cider and craft beer makers will be participating in the 2021 Wine/Cider/Beer Fest Saturday, Dec. 11 at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN during the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, 10am - 4pm.

A wristband ticket to FEAST! means access to the main exhibit area as well as the Wine/Cider/Beer Fest sampling and ability to purchase up to six bottles of wine or cider. 

CLICK THE LOGOS TO LEARN MORE

		Specializing in fruit wines, with the spicy flavors of tomato, the sweet, aromatic flavor of licorice, crisp zesty flavor of apples, sweet strawberries and rhubarb as well as many others. Gardens of flowers, apple trees, oak trees, park like setting. There is a tasting room with some seating, outdoor seating also.   Kenyon, MN
		Family-owned and operated vineyard and winery in Winona’s beautiful blufflands. Enjoy vine-to-glass experience with local artisan cheeses and beef sticks. Event hosting for up to 100 in Ridgeview Event Center. Winona, MN
		Minnesota's first farm brewery and taproom. Our beer is brewed using local ingredients and our hand picked hops are grown on our farm. We offer a wide variety of beer styles that can be enjoyed at the taproom or to go. Waseca, MN
		Minnesota's largest winery producing great wines from grapes developed by the U of MN and the late Elmer Swenson and grown in Minnesota. Come and enjoy great wine, great food from our kitchen, and live music every Friday and Saturday night. Janesville, MN
		Rochester's first Brewery since Prohibition, and home of the Med City Seltzer!  Rochester, MN
		Family-owned, local craft brewery and taproom located in Rochester with an emphasis on high-quality craft beer from approachable, easy-drinking beer to beers that are unique and experimental. A little something for everyone. Rochester, MN
		Bubbly for All! We're Minnesota's premiere sparkling winery specializing in bubbly wines made from local fruit. Did you know? Mousse is the layer of bubbles that floats on the surface of a glass of champagne or sparkling wine.  Jordan, MN
		Round Lake Vineyards & Winery in southwest Minnesota was first planted with grapes in the spring of 2007. Today we grow over 19,000 vines across four vineyards in seven blocks. We offer a variety of wines, from dry white and dry reds to sweet reds and sweet whites. Something to please every palate. Round Lake, MN
		A regional brewery located in Pine Island, Minnesota crafting true to taste and style craft beer for Southeastern Minnesota. Keeping it SxSE one beer at a time! Pine Island, MN
		Sweetland Orchard is Minnesota's original farmhouse cidery -- growing, pressing, fermenting, and now distilling on site in Webster, just south of Mpls/St. Paul. Webster, MN
		Minnesota veteran/family owned winery located in beautiful lake country just 10 miles west of Faribault on historic Dodd Road. We pride ourselves in making delicious crafted wines to appease any kind of wine drinker (even the non-wine drinker)! Kilkenny, MN

By Lilah Doster

Deeann Lufkin and Jackie Ohmann first decided to attempt making cheese in the fall of 2012. You might say it was a whim. Jackie had married a dairy farmer, so she had a constant supply of delicious milk. Logical, right?

The first time Deeann and Jackie made cheese together they thought it was fantastic, but soon decided to put some serious time into improving it. They kept at it—trying different ingredients to make the perfect cheese. When they created a cheese that looked, felt, smelled and tasted amazing, they knew they were hooked. 

By Lilah Doster

Peter Gengler and his family have worked hard to grow the best organic and processed frozen fruits and vegetables for the past 70 years. Their business, Sno Pac Foods, was established in 1943 by J.P. Gengler with the mission to create good quality food and share it with the community. Sno Pac Foods is a very family-oriented business based in Caledonia, Minnesota, that has been a part of the Gengler family for more than four generations.

This company finds interesting ways to stay connected to their past, such as the name of their company. Peter Gengler’s great-grandfather was a lumberjack back in the 1940’s after serving in WWII and he built his own man-made ice pond. He created his own shaved ice to preserve turkey meat, which is where the name Sno Pac Foods originated.

Below, preview the food & bev businesses participating in this year's

FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Mayo Civic Center
30 Civic Center Drive SE
Rochester, MN

Click the logos below to learn more. 

At right: Click to view the map of businesses exhibiting at the festival.

Looking for a vendor you met at a past FEAST! event?

See Past Participants by Year/Event

Past event participants by year/event

Spring 2026 Tradeshow

Fall 2025 Festival

Spring 2025 Tradeshow

Fall 2024 Festival

Spring 2024 Tradeshow

Fall 2023 Festival

Spring 2023 Tradeshow

Fall 2022 Festival

Spring 2022 Tradeshow

Fall 2021 Festival

Fall 2020 Online Marketplace

Fall 2019 Festival & Tradeshow

Fall 2018 Festival & Tradeshow

Fall 2017 Festival & Tradeshow

Fall 2016 Festival & Tradeshow

Fall 2015 Festival & Tradeshow

Fall 2014 Festival & Tradeshow

FEAST! 2021 Festival Dates

Saturday, Dec. 11

10am - 4pm

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, MN  

What's in store?

Holiday Hacks Cooking Demo with Beth Dooley Saturday, Nov. 20 3:00 - 3:45 pm Join James Beard-Award Winning cookbook author Beth Dooley for tips on how easy—and delicious—it is to prepare your favorite holiday dishes with local ingredients. After her demo, enjoy a Live Q&A with Beth! Free registration for this Zoom event enters you in a drawing for an amazing giveaway of a copy of Beth's latest cookbook, The Perennial Kitchen, along with selected local products from her demo.  WATCH RECORDING HERE
	Join us for the Festival on Saturday, Dec. 11 Meet a wonderful array of local farms and food businesses.
Enjoy sampling unique artisan-crafted cheese, jam, sauces and more. Stock up on your favorites, and discover fantastic finds for holiday gifts for foodies!
	Craft Wine / Cider / Beer Fest With the purchase of a wristband ticket, attendees over age 21 will have access to our fest within the fest sampling area, as well as the ability to purchase up to six bottles of wine from Minnesota Farm Wineries!
Location: We're back to our comfortable spot in the Exhibit Hall!

Highlights from the 2019 festival:

Cooking demos [more info]

 10:30 — Jena Erie, People's Food Co-op Rochester Kitchen Manager

 11:30 — Erik Kleven, Head chef and co-owner, Bleu Duck Kitchen

 12:30 — Shari Mukherjee, MasterChef Season 10 Top 6 contestant 

   1:30 — Chef Adrian, Tonic Local Kitchen & Juice Bar

   2:30 — Beth Dooley, cookbook author and James Beard Award Winner

FEAST! People's Choice voting

FEAST! attendees helped crown the 2019 People's Choice Award, while entering for a chance to win a gift basket full of local foods goodies!

Children’s activities

Veggie Grand Prix race track! Craft table! And, Mayo Clinic dietitians hosted the Kids' Choice Veggie Sampling table where they could sample and vote with emojis!

Popup Rochester Farmers Market Attendees saw what the winter farmers market had to offer and met their farmers.	Wine and hard cider Samples & sales were allowed for wristband ticket holders (6 bottle limit)

Live music!

10a-12p: Mary DuShane and Nick Jordan, with vintage songs from a range of genres. Mary, the original fiddler on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion radio show, teamed up with Nick on vocals, guitar, mandolin, flute, whistle and foot percussion. Together they presented a lively array of vintage old time, Cajun and swing songs, with Appalachian and some Irish fiddle tunes.

12p-2p: CBB Jazz Combo, featuring Nathan Davidson on saxophone and Dan "The Piano Man" Rengstorf on keys.

2p-4p:  Jake Ilika and Joel Ward Guitar Duo offered their smooth guitar grooves and vocal harmonies

String Survey*

FEAST! attendees weaved yarn through the thought questions to contribute to the visual display! 

FEAST! planners have always worked to engage the community around the issue of local foods beyond the simple act of buying local, and were excited to have the Background Stories "String Survey" to provide a visual means for getting to the deeper level. String Survey asked attendees to weave their own yarn as they responded to survey questions, for a collective display that represents attendees’ thoughts about local foods. Background Stories founder Arlene Birt has participated in installations around the world with her work intersecting art, design, and visual storytelling.

Vegetable Alfombra*

This life-size vegetable design (alfombra means carpet!) was constructed on the floor out of local veggies from area farmers. Artist Susan Waughtal curated the project, creating a design in advance, and allowing festival attendees to take part in creating the giant mandala-like design. After the festival, the veggies were donated to Channel One Food Bank!

*Read more about it on the FEAST! blog

Videographer 

Ross Ballinger was on hand throughout the festival to document the creation of the alfombra and the string survey, capturing testimonials from thoughtful participants and spontaneous fun of all kinds!

Radio Broadcast

We had Minnesota 97.5 there, doing a live remote broadcast from 10-noon, ready to talk to folks about local foods raves & faves!

Come PLAY with your FOOD!

Directions and Parking for the Mayo Civic Center 

Rochester, MN – Food and beverage businesses from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota are invited to register for the eighth annual FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, to be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021. Fans of the event should save the date to join us for the in-person festival at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, and participate in the Online Marketplace, where customers can preview products and order online for curbside pick-up. Regional food makers can learn more and register online at local-feast.org/registration2021. 

With both the in-person event and the online shopping experience you can savor the taste of the Midwest and learn why local is best. Buying regional food helps to build and support our local food system, from the families growing and creating the food all the way to your kitchen table. While a hybrid event is currently planned, hosts are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and will switch to an online-only event if necessary. 

Did you miss the forum? Register below as a post-event attendee to gain access to all four session recordings.

Tuesday, April 13

10 AM - Pitching Through Video
Discuss strategies and techniques, plus you'll be invited to submit a video for post-production that FEAST will share throughout the Online Marketplace.

Presenters:
Ashley Aukes, Beruck Studios
Brett Olson, Renewing the Countryside.

2 PM - Scaling-Up & Finding Support Services
Smart solutions for growing your business and building capacity.

Panel:
Amber Westley, Co-op Partners Warehouse
Aaron Molenaar, Collapsible Cooler
Craig Heurung, Spee-Dee Delivery Service
Brian Strom, Crapola Granola 

Wednesday, April 14

10 AM - Online Marketing
Learn about managing your online presence with consistency and leverage your personal branding to create emotional connections; discover what you might be missing in maximizing SEO and visibility online for both wholesale and direct customers.

Presenters:
Ryan Furness, Nearest You & Get Local Brands
Tami Enfield, Brand Yourself

2 PM - Finding Success with Wholesale Buyers
Tips and strategies for building and maintaining successful wholesale relationships.

Panel:
Hannah Barnstable, Seven Sundays
Sue Kakuk, Kakookies
Greg Mick, Hy-Vee
Andrew Nye, Spiral Natural Foods
John Peterson, Ferndale Market

Registration is $15 per individual.

Session recordings will be available to registrants.

Questions? Contact Elena Byrne: [email protected]