(June 19, 2018) – The Fifth Annual FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is now accepting applications for food and beverage businesses from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota for its event Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2018, Mayo Civic Center.

FEAST! hosts more than 100 juried exhibitors who utilize locally grown ingredients when possible and operate at or near a distributor-ready scale. Exhibitors show, sample and sell their artisan food products to wholesale buyers and consumers during the two-day event. They also participate in a Friday tradeshow with networking and workshop sessions. (2017 exhibitors here).

FEAST! 2018 brings new opportunities for engagement, including a Virtual Pitch Experience and more interaction with wholesale buyers during the Friday tradeshow. FEAST! Restaurant Week returns, with local restaurants featuring FEAST! vendor products. The Saturday festival will once again invite the public to pick their favorite for the People’s Choice Award. Three new award categories, focusing on innovation, social benefit and booths/displays, have been added for 2018.

Exhibitor registration for the FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace is open!

Above: Rosemond and her team from Kalahari Foods, MN at the November 2024 Marketplace

For inquiries, contact [email protected]

Below, find details regarding:

Marketplace 2026

Tradeshow 2027

Registration Payments

2026 Marketplace (Festival) Exhibitor Information

Interested in becoming a Marketplace exhibitor? Returning as an exhibitor and want to know what this year has in store? Review our vendor meeting recordings.

MARKETPLACE BOOTH

FEAST! is a curated event, showcasing local food makers who source local ingredients (or are interested in doing so). To that end, applications will be reviewed by a jury of professionals from the FEAST! Network before being accepted. Please review the selection criteria rubric below. In the event that a exhibitor's application is not accepted, all fees will be refunded immediately in full. 

See the selection criteria rubric

The Melvin Giles Emerging Food Entrepreneur Scholarship will allow one business to exhibit at the 2026 FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace without needing to cover their booth fee. If you are a new/emerging entrepreneur from MN, WI, or IA, source locally, and demonstrate financial need, we encourage you to apply by August 31. Find more information about the scholarship, eligibility criteria, and the section to apply for it in the application.

Pictured at left: Urban Farm and Garden Alliance leadership team members and Bethel University interns at Victoria Rondo Community Garden. Melvin Giles, for whom the scholarship is named, is standing to the right of the peace pole, second person from left.

REGISTRATION FEE

• Cost: $300
  • $225 early bird rate, available through August 31
• Booth size is 10x10, which includes the following (as shown at right):
  • 8' table with plastic tablecloth, fabric table skirt, and two chairs
  • pipe and drape
  • shared kitchen access: wash sink, prep surfaces, cooler, and freezer
  • small trash receptacle
  • electricity available if purchased directly from Mayo Civic Center (payment link available in September)
• Things you will need to bring include:
  • signage
  • tablecloth or table runner
  • product for display
  • hand-washing station (see blue container and green bucket in the photo at right)
• Things you may want to bring include:
  • samples with compostable sampling supplies, if sampling
  • cash box or card reader, if doing sales
  • extension cord, if using electricity
  • swag with your branding and contact info (however, please remember: NO merch sales allowed—only foods and beverages for sale)
  • S-hooks, bungee cords, or similar for your hanging signage (pipes are 2" in diameter)
  • extra table
  • extra trash receptacles
  • anti-fatigue mat for standing on the concrete all day

MARKETPLACE DETAILS

• Registered vendors are encouraged to attend Vendor Information Meetings on zoom. Meeting dates are listed in the Vendor Information Packet.
• Marketplace load in: FRIDAY 11/6 2-8pm or SATURDAY 11/7 6:30-9:30am
• Exhibitors MUST be fully set up by 9:30am on Saturday, Nov. 7
• Exhibitors MAY NOT break down booths until 4:00pm on Saturday, Nov. 7
• For inquiries, email [email protected]

2027 Tradeshow Exhibitor Information — date and location TBD

Like the Marketplace, the Tradeshow is also a curated event, but meant to connect exhibitors with wholesale buyers to enter grocery, school, or other institutional markets.

See the selection criteria rubric

TRADESHOW DETAILS

• Registered vendors are encouraged to attend Vendor Information meetings.
• Tradeshow load in: TBD
• Exhibitors MUST be fully set up by TBD
• Exhibitors MAY NOT break down booths until TBD
• 2027 TS VENDOR INFORMATION PACKET (will be available by early 2027)
• For inquiries, send an email to [email protected] 

PAYMENTS

Payment must be received before your application will be accepted. Please use the information provided in your application to either pay via credit card or check.

MATCHING DISCOUNTS

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.

CANCELLATION

50% refund available through Sept. 11 for Marketplace booth fee. 100% refund if application is denied or if FEAST! cancels the event.

Fees are non-refundable for cancellation after Sept. 12, 2026.