Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas from the Co-op

Americans are expected to spend more than $725 billion on holiday-related purchases during the last two months of the year, according to the National Retail Federation. Just think of the good it could do if even a portion of that amount was spent on sustainable, local gifts, Fair Trade items, or environmentally friendly gifts. If … Continued

Lakewinds Loves Our Staff

What’s the secret to Lakewinds’ success as a co-op retail grocery store and active member of our community?  It’s our fantastic staff, both on the sales floor and behind the scenes! We decided to sit down with Grocery Category Manager for Refrigerated, Bulk Foods, Bread & Coffee, Paris, to learn about her time at Lakewinds, … Continued

7 Ways to Use Plant-Based Protein Powder

Protein powders provide an easy, versatile way to get the necessary amount of protein in your diet. Over the last 5 years, the number of plant-based protein powders has grown at a much faster rate than animal or dairy-based powders. Some people prefer plant-based powders for their lesser effect on the environment, some choose them … Continued

2019 Maker to Market Products in Stores

  After months of hard work, from finding the right packaging to measuring, mixing and creating in The Good Acre kitchen, our 2019 makers are now in stores! Wallflour Liege-style frozen waffles and Northern Harvest Crisp apple and berry crisps are in the frozen section at all three Lakewinds Food Co-op locations. Owners can find … Continued

A Chat with Lakewinds Cheesemongers

  At Lakewinds, you’ll find passionate experts with deep knowledge of our products and how best to enjoy them. Our cheesemongers Judy, Freya and Jayne share what delights them about cheese, one of the world’s most varied and cherished flavors. Q: What do you love about leading your cheese department? Judy: Cheesemaking is a melding … Continued

Raised in Healthy Harmony

FARMER SPOTLIGHT: Peterson Craftsman Meats Meadow grasses and flowers bend in the breeze. Birds alight on a picture-perfect pond. In the distance, Limousin cattle happily graze on pasture. This prairie vista looks like a postcard, but it’s part of Peterson Craftsman Meats farm. “We start on one side, go across, and circle back,” says farmer … Continued

Top Essential Oil Blends for Fall

It’s official. Summer’s a wrap! And we all know what’s next. Along with fresh, crisp fall air and beautiful colors we wrestle with schedule changes, new routines, and, sadly, cough-and-cold season. To help your body and mind adjust, here are our top essential oil blends for fall. Mental Clarity It can be hard to adapt … Continued

Bolton Bees Honey

  Chiara and Travis Bolton have beehives throughout Minnesota, extracting and jarring location-specific honeys at their facility in Menahga, Minnesota. Their journey began in China, where Chiara learned the ropes working on a rural beekeeping project. When she returned to the U.S., she honed her new-found passion for beekeeping. Her husband soon joined her, learning … Continued

Local Spotlight: Coconut Whisk Baking

Myles Olson and Bella Lam both love to bake. But as busy students, they were short on time, and couldn’t find baking mixes that fit their dietary needs. That problem led to a partnership. They founded Coconut Whisk in 2018 to produce deliciously easy gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-friendly baking mixes. Interest grew quickly as their … Continued