At the co-op, local is at the heart of what we do.
We define “local” as food and products grown, produced, or processed within a five-state area that includes Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. We know our local farmers and locally-owned businesses personally – we visit their kitchens and farms and love seeing exactly where our food comes from and how it’s grown, raised, and made. When you choose local, not only does it taste better (thanks to shorter travel distances!) but more of your food dollars stay in our local community.
Heartbeet Farm
Zumbro Falls, MN
Since 2009, Joe and Rebecca Schwen have owned and operated their family farm. After a few years, the Schwens began to cooperatively market their produce as Heartbeet Farm along with two nearby small-scale family farms. All three farms are dedicated to farming in healthy, holistic, sustainable ways and are certified organic.
HiBar
Minneapolis, MN
Started by four friends with a mission to rid the bathroom of plastic, HiBar shampoo and conditioner bars are all-natural and made with plant-based ingredients. Their cardboard and paper packaging are also recyclable and compostable, resulting in zero plastic waste.
Hoyo Sambusa
Bloomington, MN
“Hoyo,” which means “mother” in Somali, was founded on the goal of employing and empowering Somali women. They hire moms to make one of their favorite dishes, sambusas. This way, they are able to share a piece of their culture with the Twin Cities community while also providing for their families. Their recipe originates from Halima, a mother of six, and each sambusa is hand-folded, allowing you to experience traditional and authentic Somali cuisine.
Intown Sushi
Minneapolis, MN
Owner Than Zaw has been supplying sushi to Minnesotans for over a decade. Intown Sushi’s chefs are traditionally trained and make fresh, authentic sushi and poke bowls every morning. They handle their ingredients with great care and source from local suppliers.
Jajja Wellness
Excelsior, MN
Jajja Margaret Luttaaya was born in 1939 in Uganda. She was a pioneer, mixing ancient indigenous wisdom, organic fruits and other healthful ingredients to make and sell her delicious wellness tonics. Her energy and love went into every bottle. Today, Jajja’s grandson, Henry, carries on her legacy, making those same wellness tonics for all to enjoy.
Kadejan
Glenwood, MN
Kadejan began custom processing pheasants and hens in 1989 for local area farmers and developing a market for their products in Twin Cities-area fine dining establishments. As they were working with various local chefs, many began asking for free-range hens. Kadejan chickens are raised naturally in small flocks, are free roaming and never caged, and are fed whole grains.
Komoni
Wayzata, MN
Komoni was founded in 2015 by Evangeline Stacy who creates therapeutic bath and body care products in small batches. All Komoni products use plant-based ingredients and recyclable, locally sourced packaging. No synthetic chemicals or fragrances, fillers, artificial colors, petroleum, formaldehyde or parabens are ever used. A percentage of net sales is donated to the Clean the World Foundation, supporting efforts to reduce body care waste from the hospitality industry and improve access to personal hygiene products for vulnerable communities.
La Perla Tortilleria
Minneapolis, MN
After husband and wife Jose and Noemi Payan moved to Minnesota from Chicago in 1994, they quickly realized that there were no tortillerias to be found. They decided to make and sell their own tortillas under the name La Perla, meaning “the pearl.” Today, they have dozens of employees, multiple locations, and make and sell more tortillas than anyone else in the city!
Living Waters
Wells, MN
Owned by the Klingbeil family, Living Waters has been in business for over 34 years. They grow 7,000 plants using hydroponics in an acre-sized greenhouse. In the winter, they use recycled wooden shipping pallets (that would otherwise end up in a landfill) to heat the greenhouse. This agricultural system means they’re able to deliver a variety of fresh produce grown locally and delivered straight to Mississippi Market.
Marieke Gouda
Thorp, WI
Marieke was born and raised in the Netherlands where she grew up on her parents’ 60-cow dairy farm. After moving to the U.S., she started a 350-cow dairy farm and began producing authentic Dutch gouda in Thorp, Wisconsin. In 2015, Marieke was the first woman to win the Wisconsin outstanding young farmer award. The equipment, cultures, herbs and spices she uses are all imported from Holland. Milk for Marieke’s Gouda is rBGH-free and comes from nearby Penterman Farm cows, directly from the first milking of the day.