Who will win the coveted People's Choice Award at the 2022 FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace festival on November 5th?
We launched online voting at the 2021 event, when Panache received the award for their tangy, balanced Ayurvedic-inspired juices, and we'll open the online voting again this year during the festival.
In the meantime, here's a deep dive into the many different awards we've given out at the event since 2016!
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Our Tradeshow awards are designed to dig into exemplary and commendable business practices we've observed in these businesses. For some, it's their fantastic dedication to growing their brand; for others, it's the way that some of these founders have worked to give back to their communities. In 2018 we launched the Innovative Local Sourcing Award and the Inspiring Social Benefit Award. It's yet another indicator of what makes small, regional businesses special. Read more about the 2022 tradeshow awards here. |
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People’s Choice Award Winners: K-Mama Sauce (2016), kmamasauce.com Mama Stoen’s (2017–tie), mamastoens.com Millner Heritage Winery & Cidery (2017–tie), millnerheritage.com The Bee Shed (2018), thebeeshed.com CannonBelles Cheese (2019), cannonbelles.com Panache (2021), panacheapple.com |
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Innovative Local Sourcing Award Grandma's Gourmets (2018) Siren Shrub Co. (2019) Panache (2022) |
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Inspiring Social Benefit Award Heartland Burrito (2018) Ferndale Market (2019) Country View Dairy (2022) |
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Most Engaging Booth The Greensted (2018) —listed as their previous brand, My Sweet Greens MN Sailor Mercy (2019) |
In Spring 2022, we launched a new award to recognize retailers going above and beyond to promote local foods.
The 2022 Local Food Champion Award, presented at the March 2022 Tradeshow in Cannon Falls, went to The Greensted of Zumbrota, MN for their dedication to filling their new farm store with a range of foods from local vendors.
We've also offered a range of awards to recognize excellence and provide opportunities for growth:
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Ready to Grow Minnesota Award Kakookies (2016) CannonBelles (2018) Sara's Tipsy Pies (2019)
Buyer's Choice Minnesota Grandma's Gourmets (2017)
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Outstanding Wisconsin Vendor B&E's Trees (2016)
Something Special from Wisconsin Award CTL Foods (2018) Out of the Kitchen (2019)
Buyer's Choice Wisconsin Alsum Corn (2017) |
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Outstanding Iowa Vendor O'Brien's Own Granola (2016)
Buyer's Choice Iowa Agri-Cultured Foods (2017)
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Lastly, in 2019 we presented The Nicci Sylvester Award for local foods passion to Jennifer Becker and Erik Kleven of Bleu Duck Kitchen, along with Tim Wiste of Tonic Local Kitchen and Juice Bar. Tim, shown at center here, was Nicci Sylvester's business partner at Tonic until her tragic passing due to illness in 2018. Read more about the award and Nicci's dedication to local foods from the Post-Bulletin here.