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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Make it Minnesota Program is supporting thirteen food and beverage brands at the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show, held annually in the North Hall of McCormick Place, in Chicago, IL. They will exhibit as part of the 
"A Taste of the States" showcase, organized by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. 

NRA provides exposure to a regional, national, and international audience of buyers looking for new and better products for their foodservice. The event is touted as the largest annual gathering of foodservice professionals in the Western Hemisphere.

"We’re proud to support these outstanding Minnesota brands as they work to expand their reach into new markets," said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. "The National Restaurant Association Show is an incredible opportunity to introduce their innovative products to buyers and distributors from across the country and around the world."

Seven of the 13 Minnesota brands participating this year are new to the NRA Show, but one standout company has been a staple of the Minnesota Pavilion for 25+ years. Captain Ken’s Foods, a St. Paul-based family-owned and managed company, is known for its famous oven-baked beans (not canned), hearty chili recipes, and other comforting classics including cheesy hash browns, taco meat, and more.

Capitan Ken’s Foods owners, Mike and John Traxler recently shared how valuable the show has been to help grow their business. “The connections we’ve made at the NRA Show have helped us expand our reach, which now touches over 40 states and Canada," said Traxler. “It’s always exciting to share our tried-and-true favorites alongside new recipe innovations as we continue to develop new business with prospective customers, thank existing customers for their years of patronage, and of course, to see other first-time Minnesota exhibitors make their mark."

The following brands will exhibit in the Minnesota Pavilion at NRA 2025.

• 3 Cricketeers
• Captain Ken's
• Compart Duroc
• Deeply Rooted Farms
• Good Sense Foods
• J's Kombucha
• K-Mama Sauce
• Utopia Borealis
• Nordic Waffles
• Sweethaven Tonics
• The Amazing Chickpea
• Triple Crown BBQ Sauce
• Valley's Own Bakehouse/Kakookies

The MDA will host a “Minnesota Mingle” reception for Minnesota exhibitors, retailers, brokers, service providers, and other industry attendees on Saturday, May 17. Minnesota NRA attendees interested in attending can contact Erika Camplin, Food Business Development Administrator, at Erika.Camplin@state.mn.us.

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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.user
 

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is now accepting applications for a grant to develop enterprises, supply chains, and markets for continuous living cover crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development.

Continuous living cover (CLC) refers to agricultural systems in which there are living plants and roots in the ground throughout the entire year. This can take many forms, from winter cover crops sown between summer annuals to agroforestry practices, perennial forage crops, perennial biomass crops, and perennial grain production. This includes, but is not limited to, regenerative poultry silvopasture systems, Kernza® perennial grain, American hazelnuts, winter camelina, and elderberry.

This fourth request for proposals is funded under the Minnesota Climate Smart Food Systems (CSFS) Initiative. A summary of the previous 21 grant-supported projects can be found on the Developing Markets for CLC Crops webpage.

CLC crops have been shown to enhance water and soil quality, sequester carbon, build soil health, and provide greater biodiversity and pollinator habitat. Significant environmental benefits from these crops will result from widespread production, which requires robust value chains and markets.

Grant proposals must aim to develop and accelerate enterprises, supply chains, and markets for CLC crops and cropping systems in the early stages of commercial development in Minnesota. This could include customized equipment to harvest the crop, clean and store seeds, and process crops for food products, as well as market and business development. The intended outcomes are a robust supply chain and a growing market that can increase acreage of CLC crops and cropping systems on agricultural lands in Minnesota.

Applicants must:

• Be an organization in Minnesota, including a company, government, tribe, urban American Indian Community, partnership, and any type of civil or political association of people.
• Focus on continuous living cover.

The MDA will use a competitive review process to select grantees. The minimum award is $10,000 and the maximum award is $100,000.

The Developing Markets for CLC Crops Grant application must be received by 4:30 p.m. Central Time on Monday, July 9, 2025, through the MDA’s online application system.

For more information and to see the complete request for proposal (RFP), visit the Developing Markets for CLC Crops webpage.

Note: Due to the recent uncertainty of federal funding, publishing this request for proposals (RFP) does not commit the state to awarding any federal funds.

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Media Contact
Allen Sommerfeld, MDA Communications
651-201-6185
Allen.Sommerfeld@state.mn.us