Experience the Story Behind Your Meal
The stories behind your food can be a powerful part of enjoying your meal. The Twin Cities food co-ops’ first-ever 2011 Eat Local Farm Tour on Saturday, July 30th will make these stories come alive for free. On this day only the general public can experience first-hand what local sustainable farming is all about. The event features tours of Minnesota farms, allowing people to meet directly with producers.
The tour kicks off the Twin Cities food co-ops’ August Eat Local America! Initiative presented by the National Cooperative Grocers Association (NCGA). Each summer Eat Local America! encourages people to visit their participating co-op to experience the flavorful, healthful and economic benefits of eating local. The nine Twin Cities area food co-ops sponsoring the tour are: Eastside, Lakewinds, Linden Hills, Mississippi Market, River Market, Seward, St. Peter, Valley Natural Foods and The Wedge.
“The Twin Cities food co-ops have led the way in connecting consumers with fresh, local foods,” says Liz McMann, Consumer Affairs Manager at Mississippi Market. “We also provide our customers with information about our growers, makers and farmers. Now we want to deepen that farm to table tie by giving the general public the opportunity to meet with and tour the operations of their favorite meat, vegetable and/or dairy producer(s).”
The 2011 Eat Local Farm Tour highlights 11 Minnesota farms in four geographic regions within a 100 mile radius, north, west, southeast, and southwest of the Twin Cities. All tours will be self-guided, meaning tour goers must provide their own means of transportation, whether by car or bicycle. Self-guided tours allow people to visit the farms that they are most interested in. The only cost will be time and gas!
Cedar Summit Dairy Farm in New Prague, MN will be featured on the southwest leg of the tour. Tour goers will be able to meet owner Dave Minar along with visiting the creamery and production facility, including viewing cows, pigs, and chickens at pasture.
“Our population today is far removed from agriculture,” says Minar. “We need to educate our next generation on the importance of sustainable local land development and how it can benefit our local food system. Local food doesn’t have to travel far, helping us conserve our resources. Moreover, it is about getting to meet the farmer and seeing what his operation is all about. It helps build trust and a positive relationship, which is key to selling any product.”
The hours of tour operation on Saturday, July 30th will differ from farm to farm. Starting June 20th, look for a free, detailed guidebook complete with maps, hours, and tour activities at any of the participating co-op locations. In the mean time, tour information and maps will be available on co-op websites beginning June 1st. The guidebook will also outline suggested tour routes that would make fun, easy day trips within each geographic region.
About the Eat Local Farm Tour:
The 2011 Eat Local Farm Tour is sponsored by nine of the area Twin Cities food co-ops: Eastside, Lakewinds, Linden Hills, Mississippi Market, River Market, Seward, St. Peter, Valley Natural Foods and The Wedge. The July 30th tour will highlight 11 Minnesota farms, allowing the general public to meet directly with local producers to learn more about our local food system and its importance. The farms participating include Eichten’s Hidden Acres in Center City, MN (bison & cheese), Big River Farm (vegetable) in Marine on St Croix, MN, the Women’s Environmental Institute (vegetable) in North Branch, MN, Ferndale Market in Cannon Falls, MN (turkeys), Thousand Hills in Cannon Falls, MN (beef) Shepherd’s Way in Nerstand, MN (cheese), Gardens of Eagan in Farmington, MN (vegetable), Cedar Summit in New Prague, MN (dairy), East Henderson Farm (vegetable) in Henderson, MN and Living Land Farm (vegetable) in St. Peter, MN and Riverbend Farm (vegetable), located northwest of the Twin Cities.
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