From the coveted People's Choice Award at the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace festival in November, to the Innovative Local Sourcing and Inspiring Social Benefit Awards presented at the Tradeshow, we strive to hold up exemplary food businesses.
We launched online voting at the 2021 Marketplace, when Panache received the award for their tangy, balanced Ayurvedic-inspired juices. Online voting is now routine during the festival, though in 2023 we brought back paper ballots, tallying votes from both systems.
The People's Choice Award went to Sailor Mercy (Stillwater, MN) in 2022, and then again in 2023—our first repeat in this attendee-vote contest.
In 2024, Madame Chu (based in Madison, WI) won the People's Choice. At right is Madame Chu owner and founder Josey Chu receiving the award from John Monsen of Compeer Financial.
The 2025 People's Choice Award went to a first-time exhibitor at the festival—Jen Schulties of Bernie's Bloody Mary (Blaine, MN).
Here's a review of 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 2024 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 Sailor Mercy (2022, 2023), sailormercy.com Madame Chu (2024), madame-chu.com Bernie's Bloody Mary (2025), berniesbloodymarys.com |
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Innovative Local Sourcing Award Grandma's Gourmets (2018) Siren Shrub Co. (2019) Panache (2022) Spirit Creek Farm (2023) Hidden Springs Creamery (2024) Sno Pac Foods (2025) Hidden Stream Farm (2026) |
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Inspiring Social Benefit Award Heartland Burrito (2018) Ferndale Market (2019) Country View Dairy (2022) Dogpatch Gardens (2023) Indigenous Food Lab (2024) Lovejoy's (2025) Behind the Breadbox (2026) |
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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; this award was inspired by the Nicci Sylvester Award, as you can read about below.
The 2022 Local Food Champion Award was presented to The Greensted of Zumbrota, MN for their dedication to filling their new farm store with a range of foods from local vendors.
The 2023 Local Food Champion Award was presented to Kowalski's Markets.
As a result of their conversations with vendors at FEAST!’s 2022 & 2023 events, Kowalski's onboarded 15+ local brands to their 11 stores throughout the Twin Cities. Their dedication in seeking out and bringing great fare to consumers, provides eaters with more local options while supporting area agribusinesses and the regional economy. Their support exemplifies the importance of the connections made through FEAST! and how a single conversation can make a big impact.
Pictured, L to R: Marlene Petersen and Elena Byrne - Renewing the Countryside, Max Maddaus - Kowalski's
Local Food Champion 2024: Ferndale Market
Pictured, L to R: Rachel Wandrei and Jen Alexander - MDA, Matt Montgomery - Ferndale Market
Local Food Champion 2025: Seasoned Specialty Food Market
Pictured, L to R: Hattie Fredericks - Seasoned, Jen Alexander - MDA, Kayla Yang-Best - Seasoned
Local Food Champion 2026: Lakewinds Natural Foods Co-op
Lakewinds Food Co-op has attended the Tradeshow every year since 2014!
In 2019 a representative spoke to makers about working with buyer on a panel, and they have a long history of supporting farms and food businesses including through their Organic Field Fund grant program for farmers and a round-up program for nonprofits.
Pictured, L to R: Jason Robinson - AURI, Abby Ayers - Lakewinds, Brett Olson - Renewing the Countryside, Turk Mehmet - Lakewinds, Jen Alexander - MDA
In years past we 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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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.