Featherstone Organic Carrots: Why Everyone Loves Them

As soon as the leaves change color in autumn comes the perennial question at the co-op: When will the Featherstone carrots be here? If you’re not familiar with Featherstone, you might wonder why this question is even asked. A carrot is a carrot, right? Well … not always! When it comes to carrots, there is … Continued

Meet Doubting Thomas Farms

  Before noon, organic farmer Noreen Thomas meets with a local baker, helps harvest oats, feeds her chickens, checks on the lion’s mane mushrooms she’s growing, assesses her organic rye field, and stops by a field of experimental flaxseed. And within that busy morning, she takes time to talk about her local organic farm, the … Continued

The Core of Local Apples

Apple season in Minnesota is the epitome of local flavor. Across the state and throughout the produce department, local apples abound. But what’s the story behind the crisp, juicy fruits we love so much? Local apple growers give us the in-cider scoop! WHISTLING WELL FARM Hastings, MN Located in the rolling hills of Washington County, … Continued

Meet the Maker | Hacienda San Jose Chocolates

When you think of chocolate, you might not think of Minnesota. Cacao beans are not exactly a local crop! But Minnesotan Monica Jimenez knows the ins and outs of the entire chocolate-making process. Her family’s farm grows cacao beans and makes award-winning chocolate — Hacienda San Jose — in Ecuador. Standing in New Hope, Minnesota, … Continued

How Mushrooms are Grown

  It’s well known that mushrooms are nutritious (and many of us certainly find them delicious), but have you ever asked yourself how mushrooms are grown? We often lump them in with other vegetables when talking about nutrition, even though mushrooms don’t come from plants like carrots or lettuce. Not even a little bit. Mushrooms … Continued

Women Powered! – Maazah Chutney

  Yasameen & Sheilla Sajady Co-founders of Maazah Chutney in St. Paul    Sisters Yasameen and Sheilla started making chutney a few years ago. “We come from a family of small business owners,” says Yasameen. “I guess it’s in our DNA and our obsession with condiments. We love exploring new flavors and recipes, and we … Continued

Women Powered! Harmony Valley Farm

Andrea Yoder Co-Owner of Harmony Valley Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin As she sees it, Andrea Yoder’s background as a dietician and chef is a natural complement to her life as a farmer. “I’m still a chef,” says Yoder. “My job now is to nourish people by growing organic food, but I also try to help … Continued

Why Pasture Raised Pork Does a Body Good

  It’s a very exciting time for all of us at Lakewinds, with exclusive access to pasture-raised pork from TC Farm. Personally, when I hear the words grass-fed or pasture-raised, my first thoughts jump to the ethics — raising animals in a compassionate way, having the golden ticket to roam free, as well as the … Continued

From Pasture to Plate, the Passion of TC Farm

                  It was a July morning, blazing hot already at 8 am. We arrived at TC Farm with grayish blue skies threatening a little rain, the humid fog rising above the dark green pastures. As I opened my car door I was greeted by the sounds and smell … Continued