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Local Food Resources

Local Food is Essential has compiled a list of excellent resources to help you find local food you can purchase within your community. None of these resources are an exhaustive list, but they should provide a number of options for buying from local farmers in whichever way is most convenient for you. Whether it is through a grocery store, farmers market, CSA or roadside stand there are so many ways you can eat local in MN and WI. If you know of a great local food resource that we have not listed, please contact us and let us know.

We believe that local food is essential.

It is essential to our local economy, to the health of our communities and to the environment.

Minnesota & Wisconsin Resources

Farmer’s Markets
Although many farmers markets have made changes due to COVID-19, the large majority remain open to customers.  Many markets even offer options for online ordering and no contact pickup.

Minnesota Grown

Minnesota Farmers Market Association

Farmers Market 360 (greater Twin Cities Metro area markets)

Driftless Grown

WI Farmers Market Association

Farm Fresh Atlas – WI

Food Co-ops / Supermarkets / Retail
There are many different types of retailers that sell food from local farmers. Food Coops tend to have a special emphasis on carrying items from local farmers and paying them an equitable price for their products. Despite what the name sounds like you do not need to be a member of a coop to shop there. In fact, almost all food coops are open to the general public.

National Co-op Grocers

Cooperative Grocers Network

MN Cooks Farm-to-Table Directory (includes retaurants that are committed to sourcing products for their establishments directly from farmers)

National Coop Grocers Association

Farm Fresh Atlas – WI

Cooperative Grocers Network

CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) and Farmer Direct
Community Supported Agriculture is a way to purchase food directly from a local farmer. You pay the farmer a set price at the start of the season and in return the farmer delivers in season food they grow to you for a set number of weeks. Every CSA works a little differently, so make sure to check in with your farmer about how their CSA operates. Although the majority of CSA farms sell vegetables, many of them also include the option to purchase items like meat, cheese, fruit and honey.

FairShare CSA Coalition

Minnesota Grown

Land Stewardship Project

Driftless Grown

Farm Direct Minnesota

FairShare CSA Coalition

Farm Fresh Atlas – WI

Pick Your Own
Going to a pick your own (PYO) operation is a great way to get out of the house and see how your food is grown, while saving some money at the same time.  PYO farms allow you to go out to the farm and actually pick your own fruit and/or vegetables.  In return for doing the harvesting yourself you often get the fruit and/or vegetables at a discounted price.  Many PYO operations remain open during the pandemic.  However, many have changed their hours and how they operate for the safety of customers and staff.  Always call ahead before showing up to a PYO farm.  

Minnesota Grown

Farm Fresh Atlas – WI

Please join us in the Local Food is Essential movement by taking the
Eat Local Pledge.

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