Mazopiya in Prior Lake

What is a Mazopiya anyway? In the Dakota language it means, basically, a store. But the Mazopiya in Prior Lake, Minnesota, is hardly basic. You get the sense of great care and thought and community the minute you walk in. As they put it:

"Our mission is to support a healthy, sustainable community; environmentally, economically, and socially. We will focus on products that are locally produced and sourced. We will provide the highest quality natural and organic foods and exemplary customer service."


 Even the design and construction of the building was done with great care. As much of the building material was sourced locally and a lot of attention was paid to keeping waste and energy consumption to a minimum. The result is a delightful place to shop for delicious, healthy food.


We'll be there Friday, August 5, from 11-2 to join in their Grand Opening Celebration. Join us to sample lots of great, local food, including Barsy's Almonds, of course!

Meet your local food producers at White Bear Lake Kowalski's Market

On Saturday, July 30, we'll be participating in a yearly event we always look forward. That's when Kowalski's Markets celebrate their commitment to local sourcing by inviting dozens of local vendors into their stores to meet the customers, talk about their products and, of course, offer free samples.

We can speak from experience when we say Kowalski's is totally committed to sourcing as much as they can locally. This local chain goes out of its way to attract and support the best local bakers, growers, cheese makers, candy makers and, it goes without saying, almond roasters!

Anyone who's ever been at one their nine stores is immediately struck by how clean, well-stocked and easy-to-navigate the store is. And it doesn't take long to also notice the attentive, cheerful staff. Maybe that's because Kowalski's is committed to running their organization with an emphasis on democratic process and fair treatment.

You can meet up with Barbara on 7/30 at the White Bear Lake Kowalski's at 4291 S. Lake Street, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Come and say hi and much on some almonds, then be sure to browse the store to get a sense of just how varied and vital our local food scene really is.
White Bear Lake, MN

Saint Cloud's Good Earth

Friday, June 24, Barbara will be at The Good Earth in Saint Cloud, Minnesota for lunch, dispensing good vibes and samples of Barsy's Almonds. Good Earth carries quarter pounds of all five Barsy's flavors, as well as Naughties in bulk.

Every Friday through September 2, The Good Earth hosts its "Good-for-You Cookout" from 11:30 to 2:00, offering deli selections and healthy grilled food. Barbara will miss John Hooper's yak burgers by a week (he's at Good Earth on the first Friday of every month), but she'll probably take time out for a portabella burger. If you're looking for healthful tasty Friday lunch, the Good Earth is the place to be in St. Cloud. Cookout cost is seven bucks; six to members.

While you're there -- Centennial Plaza, 2010 8th Street North (Veteran's Drive) -- get to know this community-owned source for least-cost nutritious food.

Check progress on the deli seating expansion, due to open the second week of July. Good Earth is committed to healthy lifestyles and cooperation between producers and consumers, with respect for the ultimate source of health and wealth always in mind. In addition to a pleasant atmosphere in which to enjoy your food, the expansion will include space for classes in preparing and enjoying nutritious foods that are good for your family and the environment.

Grand Opening - St. Peter Co-op

Join us in St. Peter, Minnesota on Saturday, June 11, to celebrate the grand opening of the St. Peter Food Co-op's new store. St. Peter is located in the Minnesota River Valley, about seventy miles southwest of the Twin Cities  on US 169, and twenty minutes northwest of Mankato. The new store is on the right at the intersection of 169 (Minnesota Avenue) and Mulberry Street, across from the Nicollet County Courthouse.

The St. Peter Co-op has been supplying the scenic home of Gustavus Adolphus College with healthy and delicious food since a handful of residents organized to supply themselves with better nutrition in 1979. The spacious new store is the Co-op's third location, and can supply a food-conscious household with everything it needs. The staff prides itself on "personalized customer service," "product expertise," and "customer advocacy." Store personnel have shopped for housebound patrons, and will special-order the odd item you don't find on the shelves.  There are free in-store classes, and Brand Development Manager Jennifer Luhmann says that members and staff "are passionate about food, about its look, smell, and taste. They know where it comes from and the people who supply it."

In addition to groceries (and nutritional supplements and body-care products), the Co-op includes a delicatessen with hot bar, sandwich- salad- and build-your-own-burrito bars. On the day I'm writing this, the hot bar features Teriyaki Chicken, Ma’sMashed Potatoes, Baked Penne, Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Vegetarian Sloppy Joes, Pasta with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Veggie Pizza, and Brown Rice.  Today's soups are Tomato Basil Feta and Cream of Spinach. Seating is airy and inviting. The day I visited, it was full of people enjoying tasty lunches with friends.

St. Peter carries all five Barsy's flavors -- Smokies, Sweeties, Naughties, Hotties, and Stuffies -- in bulk. We will be at the Grand Opening on the tenth to tempt you with free samples. Other local food suppliers with be on hand, too, showing off their wares.

Lanesboro Local and the Rhubarb Festival

We'll be doing a demo at Lanesboro Local in Lanesboro, Minnesota on Saturday, June 4, right smack in the middle of Lanesboro's wonderful Rhubarb Festival.


Lanesboro Local is an interesting and timely non-profit venture. Their mission is to support local growers and producers whose success directly contributes to the strength of the local economy. Through their website and their retail Marketplace in Lanesboro, they are building awareness of the true value of locally grown and produced goods. It's definitely a venture to watch.


It helps that they're located in a lovely town that's been going through a lively revitalization in recent years, thanks to plenty of pretty scenery, a charming town, a great location on a major bike trail and lots of local enterprise. There's even a nice little feature on them in the April 2011 Smithsonian!


As for the Rhubarb Festival, it promises to be a blast, with lots of rhubarb treats, music, games and the ever-popular Rhubarb Olympics.


Sounds like a nice weekend destination, no? Do join us at Lanesboro Local to sample our almonds and check out the local foods. Then head out into town for good times at the Rhubarb Festival.

Midtown Farmers Market

We'll be at out regular booth at the Midtown Farmers Market on Saturday, May 21 and it will feel like home. Why? Because in May 2007 this is where it all started. Back then, we sold one kind (Smokies) at one spot (Midtown) every Saturday through November. And it was the enthusiastic support we got from the market, the Corcoran Neighborhood and the folks who came to our booth that convinced us we had a product with legs.

We come back to the Midtown every year to support this lovely market, meet with our long-time customers, try out new flavors and just soak up the wonderful community atmosphere.

The Midtown Farmers Market was founded in 2003 by volunteers from seven South Minneapolis neighborhoods. This open-air farmers market was the result of their vision to create a public marketplace at the hub created by the new Hiawatha light rail station.

Since its inception, tremendous community support has enabled the Midtown Farmers Market to grow and evolve. It was the first Minnesota farmers market to accept SNAP-EBT. Each year over 60,000 people visit the market. Midtown Farmers Market shoppers’ votes propelled it to 4th place out of 5,272 farmers markets nationwide in the 2009 Local Harvest and Care2 Love Your Farmers Market Contest.

We'll be there several times this summer, so you'll have lots of chances to drop by. Check our Events Calendar for all the dates and come say hi!

Eastside Co-op Plant Sale

Don't let spring get away from you! Head to the lovely Eastside Food Co-op  in Northeast Minneapolis this Saturday (5/7) for their annual plant sale. You'll find everything you need to get your garden off to a great start including potting soil, compost, straw and, of course, lots of healthy fruit and vegetable plants.


We'll be there from 11 to 2, meeting with customers and handing out yummy samples. Come to say hi, nibble on some almonds and pick up your heirloom tomato plants.


Self-christened “The Little Co-op That Could,” the Eastside Food Co-op opened its store in Northeast Minneapolis on December 4, 2003 after a long, dedicated effort. They're totally committed to their community, offering not just great food, but classes, film nights, farmers markets and more. Not only that, they're just  really nice folks!

Live Demo Saturday at Roots Market in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Join Barbara on Saturday, April 30, for a live demo with free samples at Roots Market in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Roots Market is a full service grocery store specializing in organic and naturally produced food.  Whether you are looking for fresher, more naturally produced food to feed your family or shopping for a family member with special dietary needs, you will find everything you need at Roots Market...plus a few surprises!

Easter at Linden Hills

Since 1975, Linden Hills Co-op has been providing access to organic, local and natural food. In the thirty-five years since then, Linden Hills Co-op has moved and expanded its offerings four times while remaining the neighborhood’s primary grocer—“big enough to meet your needs; small enough to meet your neighbors.” With a full service deli, great selection of locally made and locally raised foods, many choices for different dietary needs, and a sunny indoor dining area, the co-op serves as a community gathering place—-with groceries.


We'll be at Linden Hills Co-op on Friday, April 22, from 3 pm to 6 pm, handing out samples and meeting customers. Come on by to fill up your Easter basket with local goodies! 

Upcoming demo in Decorah, Iowa

Join Barbara for a live demo at Oneota Community Food Co-op in Decorah, Iowa. You 'll get a chance to meet one of the owners of Barsy's Almonds and sample our almonds.
The Oneota Community Food Co-op is a cooperatively-owned grocery store specializing in organic, local, and sustainably produced products since 1974. Located in beautiful Decorah, IA, the Co-op has become a hub of activity over the years, and is a destination for visitors to the area
There's a full service deli as well, so you can grab lunch while you're there.
Hope to see you there!