Interested in selling to schools or early care centers? The first-ever Minnesota Farm to School Roadshow is a series of in-person events that will bring together producers, school nutrition professionals and early care providers to make new connections and learn how to build successful working relationships. Events will include training and facilitated networking with school lunch buyers. Attend a session near you!
- January 30th - Falcon Heights
- February 7th - Rochester
- February 12th - Grand Rapids
- February 13th - Detroit Lakes
- February 14th - Willmar
- March 4th - St. Peter
Eligible for Cost-Share Reimbursement
Interested in using Minnesota Grown branded plastic bags? Cindy at Afton Apple Orchard is organizing a group order for interested members.
The bags are designed for extra strength and are 1-mil high density plastic bags (12”x7”x23” T-sack, 1 color 1 side print on 1.0 mil white HDPE film). They are white with green ink and include the Minnesota Grown logo. Bags come 1,000 per box, for $75 ea., shipped on a pallet to Afton Apple Orchard, 14421 S 90th St, Hastings, MN, 55033. Shipping charge will be split among all orders and billed after final totals (about 7% of order total). Pick up or shipping details can be arranged directly with Cindy. Please also inquire for more details on customized bags that can have your logo positioned directly below the Minnesota Grown logo (sample pictured).
Reach out to Cindy by February 23, 2024, if interested in ordering: Info@aftonapple.com / 651-707-4331
The cost of designing and printing these bags would be eligible for the Minnesota Grown Labeling & Signage Cost-Share. This cost-share reimburses 50% of eligible costs, up to $300 per fiscal year per member, while funds last.
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Need ideas for ways to utilize Minnesota Grown's new E-Commerce and Digital Marketing Cost-Share? Join Minnesota Grown staff for a free hour-long webinar about social media. We'll discuss strategies for improving engagement, with a focus on the basics of running paid social media ads.
Topics will include: social media platforms and posting strategies; how trying paid ads can improve the results of your current social media efforts; the differences between organic posting, boosted posts, and ads; and an introduction to running paid ads on social media—from content, audience selection, and geographic targeting to maximizing results on any budget.
We're offering two sessions of the same content to accommodate varying schedules:
- Wednesday, February 28, noon-1 p.m. - Register
- Tuesday, March 5, 7-8 p.m. - Register
FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow returns to the Grand O2 Event Center in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, on Thursday, March 21, 2024. The exclusive local foods event convenes wholesale buyers and food entrepreneurs to enhance local food systems, build more resilient communities and offer consumers more local fare options. Makers and buyers can network at this year's Tradeshow during the popular Buyers’ Expo, learning and listening sessions, and an award ceremony.
The FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow is a nonprofit event presented by Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Renewing the Countryside, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Compeer Financial, and the FEAST!
Seven Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by Minnesota Grown in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association.
This year's winners include:
Congratulations to these grocers for their creative efforts to promote Minnesota Grown products! Learn more about this year's contest in the MDA's press release on the contest. Information about how to participate in future contests can be found on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.
Register now for one of the Product Safety Rule Grower trainings! This course meets the training requirements for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule (PSR) for farms fully covered by the rule. There are two course options:
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February 27, 2024: In-person (Minnesota Farmers Union in St. Paul). Full day; lunch included. $25
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March 7, 2024: Virtual training. Full day. $25.
Click the button below for more information and to register for a course!
Marketing Quick Tip is a new monthly series we're trying based on a request from a Minnesota Grown member. (Thank you!) Do you have ideas for ways we can support your marketing efforts? Share them with Minnesota Grown Program Manager Mallory Forseth at mngrown.mda@state.mn.us or 651-201-6140.
Minnesota Grown’s mission is to promote you! The program runs campaigns all year encouraging Minnesotans to buy locally and shop seasonally. Here are a few highlights from our recent marketing efforts:
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Yearly Website Visits: Over 384,000 people (not counting repeats!) visited the Minnesota Grown website in 2023, with over 1.3 million pageviews!
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Christmas Tree Coverage: The PR streak continued into winter with 49 stories about real Minnesota trees in news outlets from Austin to Virginia. For example, watch the WCCO visit to Pinestead Christmas Tree Farm in Isanti. A new 15-second ad ran on TV and streaming services through the season, and digital ads got over 1.8 million impressions.
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Holiday Gift Guide: This year’s gift guide featured 77 items from 49 Minnesota Grown members. The gift guide pages were viewed more than 8,000 times. It’s not too soon to think about products you’ll list next year!
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“Pick of the Month” E-newsletter: Minnesota Grown’s monthly newsletter for consumers reached more than 40,000 subscribers in December. If you aren’t already getting it, sign up to see what we’re sharing with these avid followers of all things local.
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