VIRGINIA - As the only locally-owned food cooperative on the Iron Range, Natural Harvest Food Co-op has for years been doing well.

However, with the April 26 opening of a new 9,000 square-foot store, business is now booming. 

“In the first three weeks, sales went from $50,000 weekly to $75,000,”  said Anja Parenteau, general manager. “That’s a whole lot of new customers.”

Whether it’s locally-produced meat, eggs, dairy, bread, honey or barbecue sauce – or a wider selection of wholesome grocery products – the new $3.2 million store, is answering a growing national and local trend to eat healthy.

“The Iron Range doesn’t have another natural foods store and more and more people have become interested in eating healthy and knowing what’s in their food,” said Parenteau. “We are attracting people who have never been to the co-op before because of our new and bigger location and more product offerings.”  

The brightly-lit, energy-efficient store on Fourth Street North near Silver Lake is more than double the size of the former co-op.

That’s allowed the co-op to expand its meat section, double the size of its produce and refrigerated sections, and triple its deli business with the addition of a salad bar.

“We’ve had a lot of people coming in to eat lunch,” said Parenteau. “People are coming in to eat healthy.”

An education classroom with a view of Silver Lake can be used for cooking, beekeeping, solar greenhouse, do-it-yourself classes, or as a community meeting room.   

The co-op “couldn’t be happier” with the public response to what was a “very big step” in constructing the new store, said Parenteau.

And it’s showing.

Over the past three years, membership in the co-op has grown by about 250 per year to 3,100 members.

Employment at the co-op has also grown to 35 at the new store compared to 25 at the former location. Another five employees may be added this year, said Parenteau.

IRRRB supported construction with an infrastructure development grant to the City of Virginia. 

To celebrate, a grand opening is 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 20. Local musicians will perform and free samples will be served along with Minnesota craft beer, popcorn, hot dogs, children’s activities and raffles.  

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. announced yesterday that production of the new Mustang superflux pellet has started at its United Taconite mine. The start up of the new production equipment, including supporting infrastructure, was executed on schedule, after nine months of construction, as planned, and within the original total investment budget of $75 million.

Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president and CEO, said, “Building a new facility on budget, without any lost time accidents, and in only nine months through the Minnesota winter is no small undertaking." 

Goncalves added, “I am also very thankful for the strong support of the State of Minnesota throughout this project’s development. As we expand in the Iron Range, we appreciate our established working relationships with our elected officials and their on-going support for our business endeavors.”

Cliffs will host a ribbon cutting event for the new facility at United Taconite on May 30. 

Trying to fashion time for health care workers to get away from their vital jobs for training is no easy task.

But Fairview Range and Advanced Minnesota found a way.  

Twenty-five employees of Fairview Range graduated Wednesday, May 17, from the Advanced Minnesota Leadership Academy.

Supported by an IRRRB workforce development grant, the Fairview Range Leadership Academy training offered the skills and tools needed to enhance leadership development and motivate staff.

“It’s the first time we’ve done this,” said Kris Madich, Fairview Range staff education manager. “We wanted to do this for our managers and supervisors as something they can take back and integrate with their departments and staff. It will boost teamwork.” 

Fairview Range is a non-profit health care system based in Hibbing.  

Employees from a variety of Fairview Range departments from January through May attended five training sessions focusing on principals of management; human resources concepts; leadership essentials; organization development; and hospital accounting and leadership review. Each received a certificate of completion from Advanced Minnesota.

“They were great people to work with,” Madich said of Advanced Minnesota. “We hope to do it again.” 

Advanced Minnesota, headquartered in Hibbing, provides customized workforce training solutions across Minnesota. Each year, Advanced Minnesota provides training to more than 11,000 people throughout the state. 

For additional information visit www.advancedminnesota.org

See large ore boats and freighters up-close.

Watch wildlife and birds in their natural habitat.

Soak in stunning views of Lake Superior and beautiful islands.

A powerful dual viewfinder has been installed near Taconite Harbor on Minnesota’s North Shore, allowing scenic views of the natural and historical aspects of areas surrounding Taconite Harbor.

The site opens with a public ribbon cutting at 1 p.m., Tuesday, May 23.

The free-to-use viewfinder is a Hi-Spy 20X binocular head viewer with a second 35X telescoping head viewer located on an extended arm for wheelchair users.

It’s located at the Taconite Harbor Public Access and Safe Harbor just south of Schroeder along Highway 61.

“The ADA compliant dual viewfinders should increase visitors to Taconite Harbor by providing an amenity to enhance their experience at a location with few similar interactive opportunities,” said Justin Otsea, executive director, North Shore Scenic Drive Council. “People will be able to view passing boats, wildlife on Bear and Gull islands and the Taconite Harbor basin.”

A mining bucket, large piece of taconite, two anchors, capstan, and other displays are also located at the site.

Schroeder Township, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and North Shore Scenic Drive Council, are hosting the ribbon cutting.

IRRRB supported the project with a Culture & Tourism grant. Minnesota Power, DNR, U.S. Forest Service, Visit Cook County, Schroeder Historical Society, and North Shore Scenic Drive Council also provided assistance.  

“The North Shore Scenic Drive Council has indicated the concept could possibly be replicated at other scenic North Shore areas in the future,” said Otsea.

Policy and a Pint is coming to the Iron Range on Thursday, May 18. The event, entitled "Talent Within Range: Bridging the Workforce Divide in Greater Minnesota," will be held at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. 

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a program at 6 p.m. Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be available.

Get additional details and register for Policy and a Pint.