Skip to Content
Close

The Medley Blog

Local Profile: Roots Essential

Image for Local Profile: Roots Essential

Roots Essential was started in 2015 by local female entrepreneur Evangeline Stacy. She creates therapeutic bath and body care products in small batches using plant-based ingredients and recyclable, locally sourced packaging. No synthetic chemicals or fragrances, fillers, artificial colors, petroleum, formaldehyde or parabens are ever used. This guarantees clean, safe…

Read more

Local Profile: Gerhard’s Brats

Gerhard’s Brats has been crafting small-batch, handmade bratwursts since fall of 2012 and selling them wholesale to co-ops and groceries for the past six years. During their first three years in business, Gerhard’s Brats were sold exclusively at local Twin City food co-ops, supported by shoppers…

Read more

Local Profile: Pranarom

For the past 10 years, Mississippi Market has partnered with Veriditas Botanicals, a scientific aromatherapy company from Minneapolis established in 2008. In fact, 10 years ago, we were one of Veriditas’ only trusted partners where you could find their extensive line of certified-organic essential oils. Since then, they’ve grown and…

Read more

Local Profile: Farmer to Farmer

Farmer to Farmer (FTF) is a primarily volunteer-run nonprofit that supports international peace, mutually beneficial friendships, and cross-cultural understanding among rural farmers. A Wisconsin-based organization with deep grass-roots beginnings, FTF does much more than operate a successful fair-trade coffee business. Rooted in the creation of solidarity among small groups of…

Read more

Local Profile: Tempeh Tantrum

Image for Local Profile: Tempeh Tantrum

Begun in 2014, Minneapolis-based Tempeh Tantrum makes two varieties of fresh organic tempeh. A traditional Indonesian staple dating back to the 12th century, it has a unique nutty flavor and firm texture. Unlike tofu, which is made using soy milk, tempeh is made using whole soy…

Read more

Local Profile: Hmong American Farmers Association

Image for Local Profile: Hmong American Farmers Association

Hmong American farmers have been transforming the local Twin Cities food economy since arriving from Laos and Thailand over 40 years ago as political refugees during the Vietnam War. From an active presence at metro-area farmers’ markets, where local Hmong American farmers now account for more than 50 percent of…

Read more

Local Profile: Rochdale Farms

A favorite producer here at Mississippi Market, Rochdale Farms is locally and cooperatively owned. Rochdale Farms is the creation of Mary Bess Michaletz and Bentley Lein. It was created with the intention to foster the growth of small local dairy producers and create delicious, artisan cheeses,…

Read more

Local Profile: Pastures A Plenty

Image for Local Profile: Pastures A Plenty

Pastures A Plenty is third generation family-owned-and-operated by the VanDerPols. Pasture-to-Plate Pork Pastures A Plenty in Kerkhoven, Minn., is decidedly different. This mutigenerational family-owned-and-operated farmstead takes a hands-on approach, focusing on attention to detail. For over three decades, the VanDerPol family has shown strong commitment to the…

Read more

Local Profile: Larry Schultz

Image for Local Profile: Larry Schultz

Larry Schultz’s family has been using organic farming methods since his great-grandfather first moved onto their land in Owatonna, Minn. Larry Schultz has been supplying free-range, cage-free, certified organic eggs, chickens and turkeys to Mississippi Market for many years. He prides himself on selling the freshest eggs possible — they’re…

Read more

Local Profile: Ferndale Market

Image for Local Profile: Ferndale Market

Dale Peterson arrived in Cannon Falls, Minn., in 1939 ready to do what he loved — grow turkeys. He founded his farm in the Little Cannon River Valley with his wife, Fern. Now their grandson, John, and his wife, Erica, carry the farm into the third generation. They raise free-range…

Read more