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It's CSA Time!
CSA, short for community supported agriculture, is a farm membership system that allows consumers to sign up to receive a season?s worth of a farm?s products (such as fruits and vegetables, cheese, meat, or flowers) on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Most operate through the summer growing season, though there are also winter and year-round CSAs available. A CSA subscription is an active way to support local farmers and get to know the people that grow and raise your local foods!
?Whenever the work is exceptionally hard, or the weather is exceptionally bad, knowing the people who are fed by our hard work makes it all worthwhile.??
- Janaki Fisher-Merritt of?Food Farm?in Wrenshall
Each farm's CSA program is unique in what it offers, so it?s a good idea to review the options in the Minnesota Grown online directory to find what is right for you or your family. Some CSAs offer smaller shares for folks living alone or in couples, some offer eggs, baked goods, or flower bouquet add-ons, while others are choose-your-own or customizable. Most importantly, pick a CSA with a convenient pick-up location, and be ready to enjoy what is in season!
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Soup's On (Two Ways)!
Make a big pot of vegetable soup this weekend and it will keep you warm all week long.
Start with this basic recipe and make it your own by adding your favorite meats, beans, or pasta.?
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Member Feature: Dancing Gnome Farm
Armed with a degree in ecology and several years doing ecological research around the world, Lauren Barry was drawn back to the Midwest to learn the practical skills of growing food and started Dancing Gnome Farm in 2014. You can find their traditional or market-credit CSA at the Hopkins and Wabasha Farmers' Markets!
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Urged to ingenuity by the short growing season, Minnesota farmers are finding ways to grow food and connect with consumers throughout the winter... and people are talking about it!
Redhead Creamery, winner at the US Championship Cheese Contest, was interviewed on ABC News.
Hydroponic farming at Rahe of Sunshine Farms was featured on CBS News.
Prairie Hollow Farm, The Greensted, Mill City Farmers? Market, and the Saint Paul Farmers? Market were all featured in the Star Tribune.
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Six Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have received the 2023 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year award!
This year?s winners include:
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Northwest: Lueken?s Village Foods, Bemidji
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Northeast: Chris? Food Center, Sandstone
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West Central: Pine River Family Market, Pine River
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Southwest: Mackenthun?s Fine Foods, Waconia
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Twin Cities: Kowalski?s, White Bear Lake
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People?s Choice: Knowlan?s Supermarket, Maplewood
Don't see your favorite store? Encourage them to apply!
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 Find a Farmers' Market Hub This Summer
A new kind of market combines the benefits of the CSA, the farmers' market, and even online ordering. Farmers' market hubs aggregate products from multiple farms and sell the products directly to consumers as well as to wholesale buyers. There are currently food hubs connected to markets in Aitkin, Grand Rapids, Mankato, Moorhead, Red Wing, Rochester, Virginia, Wabasha, and Willmar!
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