Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Contest

"Fresh from your Neighbor"

2024 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Winners Announced

A grocery store produce display at Hugo's Marketplace in Grand Forks.
Hugo's Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks
A grocery store produce display at Chris' Food Center.
Chris' Food Center, Sandstone
A grocery store produce display at Elden's Fresh Foods.
Elden's Fresh Foods, Alexandria
A grocery store produce display at Mackenthun's.
Mackenthun's Fine Foods, Waconia

Minnesota grocers recognized for promoting locally grown products

St. Paul, MN: Seven Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2024 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA).

This year’s winners include:

Northwest: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks
Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
West Central: Elden’s Fresh Foods, Alexandria
Southwest: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia
Southeast: Nilssen’s Foods, Zumbrota
Twin Cities: Kowalski’s Markets, Grand Avenue
People’s Choice: Festival Foods, Hugo

“We commend these seven grocers for their creative efforts to promote fresh, local foods from Minnesota Grown members,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “When consumers have the chance to eat more foods grown and produced by their neighbors, it benefits Minnesota’s farmers, grocers, and communities.” Read the full press release.

A grocery store produce display at Nilssen's
Nilssen's Foods, Zumbrota
A grocery store produce display at Kowalski's market.
Kowalski's Market Grand Avenue, St Paul
A grocery store produce display at Festival Foods Hugo.
Festival Foods, Hugo

Do you value local?

We want to celebrate our Minnesota grocers who support local farmers. Are you one of them? The Retailer of the Year contest recognizes grocery and liquor stores that promote foods produced by Minnesota Grown members, including fresh produce, meat and poultry, cheese and dairy, packaged goods, and wine, cider, beer, spirits and more!

2020.9.3 Taken Pine Tree Orchard Close up apples

Contest Period

The 2023-2024 Retailer of the year contest concluded on September 29th, 2023.  Please fill out the interest form below to be notified about the 2024-2025 contest.

During the contest, each applicant will choose a one-week showcase during the contest period for a focused promotional effort in their store, and through related marketing.

Scoring will be based on 60% of total points for the one-week showcase and an additional 40% of points will be awarded for partnerships throughout the entire Minnesota Grown contest period. Winners will be announced early 2024. All entries must be received no later than 4:00 PM on Friday, 10/13/2023 through the online entry portal.

A grocery store produce display with ta farm theme with a corn silo and scarecrow.

Brinks Market, Chisago City (2023)

A group of grocery store staff gathered in their produce display. Many of them hold Minnesota Grown signs.

Mackenthuns's, Waconia (2022)

Kowalskis Display 3 2021-2022

Kowalski's, Woodbury (2021)

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Lunds & Byerlys, Edina (2020)

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Festival Foods, Hugo (2019)

The annual Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year contest is a partnership between the Minnesota Grown program and the Minnesota Grocers Association.

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Interest Form

Complete this form to stay in the loop for the 2024-2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Contest.  We will alert you and update the webpage when the application is live.

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Eligibility

Complete this form to stay in the loop for the 2024-2025 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Contest.  We will alert you and update the webpage when the application is live.

Contest Details

Download and review the Contest Overview Document to learn about contest procedures, judging criteria, and privacy notice.

Are you a chain retailer with mulitple stores? Set up a Mini-Contest with us! Learn More.