Exemplary local food businesses received awards at March event

Jan Joannides of Renewing the Countryside presenting the Innovative Local Sourcing Award to Amy Forgues of Hidden Springs Creamery following the wholesale expo at the FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow, March 21, 2024 in Cannon Falls, MN.

CANNON FALLS, Minn. — This year’s FEAST! Local Foods Tradeshow was the biggest in the FEAST! Network’s 10-year history. The industry-only event, which introduces wholesale buyers to an array of farms and food businesses from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa, showcased the achievements of makers as well as retailers. 

The FEAST! Local Foods Network recognizes food makers with exemplary practices in two categories: the Inspiring Social Benefit Award (for giving back to their communities) and the Innovative Local Sourcing Award (for the use of locally-grown ingredients). 

Indigenous Food Lab (Minneapolis, Minn.) took home the Inspiring Social Benefit Award for their work in addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways and increasing access to Native-made goods. They imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises. They also offer a Market space with high-quality Indigenous foods and products.

Continue reading at morningagclips.com/feast-tradeshow-a-springboard-for-food-businesses/