The FEAST Local Food Network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local and regional food system which encourages innovation. As a result of our work, we hope to see current businesses flourish and new businesses get established.

The graphic at right depicts a variety of programs supported by the FEAST Local Food Network, including Peer Networks, Feast Financing, the Grow a Farmer loan program, the Smart Start technical assistance program, and the Local Foods Marketplace event.

Supported by: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Renewing the Countryside, MN Department of Agriculture, U of M SE Sustainable Partnership, and many more.

If you'd like to know more and learn how to be involved, please contact Jan at [email protected].

ABOUT THE FEAST! LOCAL FOODS MARKETPLACE

The Feast! Local Foods Marketplace festival and tradeshow was created by the FEAST Local Food Network.  The network is a partnership of many organizations, businesses, and individuals committed to growing a sustainable, local and regional food system which encourages innovation.

The event was created to see current local food producers and businesses in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin flourish and new businesses get established.  This event gives businesses the opportunity to connect with both the public and wholesale buyers through the festival and tradeshow days, respectively.  By developing a food system that continues to support local producers and foodmakers, we are also supporting the economic development in our region.  This event was made to help with the growth!

In May of 2016 the Network received an award from the Environmental Initiative. Read more about that award here.

During the second Feast! Local Foods Marketplace in 2015, the KSMQ public television program Off 90 came to the tradeshow and interviewed Jan Joannides about the event, as well as talked with some of the vendors. Host Barbara Keith was very entertaining! Please enjoy a great glimpse of Feast! here: