Sweet Strawberries are in Season

We spoke with strawberry producers across the state about the upcoming season, asked for some preservation and freezing tips, and even got a delicious Strawberry Shortcake Bars recipe. “Strawberry picking is a family activity,” said Katherine Brozek of Hilltop Harvest Strawberry Farm in Redwood Falls. “We love to watch young kids learn where their food comes from.” Click here to learn more about the 2017 berry season.

Don’t Be a Bird Brain!

Good food safety practices are important for all foods, including locally grown and organic foods. Minnesota Grown member Jane Jewett of Willow Sedge Farm shared some of her insights on food safety. Given the hard work farmers are doing to sell high-quality, safe food, it’s important that customers help keep food safe in transport and at home. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends four simple steps for food safety: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. Read the full article on food safety here.

Shop Local at the Farmers’ Market

We’re all about local at Minnesota Grown. This month, we’re celebrating one of our favorite ways to shop lots of Minnesota Grown members in one stop: farmers’ markets! June is opening month for many summer farmers’ markets. Strawberries bloom and ripen, fresh flowers and herbs abound, and products like jams and jellies, honey, meat, and eggs are available and easy to find. Click here to learn more about Minnesota farmers’ markets.

Member Spotlight: Redhead Creamery, LLC

We are not moo-staken… June is National Dairy Month! To celebrate, we talked with Alise Sjostrom from Redhead Creamery, LLC. After Alise spent time learning the trade in Vermont and Wisconsin, she and her husband Lucas moved back home to Minnesota, joining her parents to launch Redhead Creamery. In 2013/2014, the family built a cheese plant on their dairy farm in Brooten and the business has continued to grow. Today, Redhead Creamery sells cheese in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, South Dakota, North Dakota, and will soon be selling in Illinois. Check out their full interview here.