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The Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Pavilion is returning to Anaheim, California, for the Natural Products Expo West trade show March 7-11 to highlight 12 Minnesota food and beverage companies.

Expo West is the largest tradeshow of its kind for CPG (consumer packaged goods) businesses, attracting more than 80,000 industry attendees annually. Focused on marketing opportunities for makers of organic, natural, and healthy foods, the event brings together folks from across the national and international food ecosystem.

The MDA will support the exhibiting Minnesota food and beverage companies with promotional and logistical support leading up to the show and on the ground in Anaheim, with an aim to increase the use of Minnesota agricultural ingredients, create and protect jobs, and promote economic development in Minnesota’s agriculture and food sectors.

“We are thrilled to be returning to Expo West to highlight these Minnesota-based companies that are offering innovative products in the natural and organic food space,” said MDA Assistant Commissioner Patrice Bailey. “The MDA is proud that we can continue to provide exposure on a national-scale for these brands.”

The following Minnesota brands will be exhibiting as part of the Minnesota Pavilion:

• Acremade
• All Clean Food
• Bim Bam Boo
• Clo-Clo Vegan Foods
• Coconut Whisk
• Freak Flag Organics
• JonnyPops
• Mighty Spark Foods
• Peace Coffee
• Seven Sundays
• Toom Garlic Dips
• UFisheries

Minnesota food and beverage startup companies can also attend Expo West as mentees through the MDA’s Walk the Floor Mentorship Program, to learn about trade show preparation and execution for possible future exhibition. Junita’s Jar and Plucky Pickle Dip will join as this year’s mentees.

Additionally, the MDA and Naturally Minnesota are teaming up to host the fourth annual Minnesota Mingle event at Expo West on March 9. This offers the opportunity to meet and connect with other attendees from Minnesota's growing food startup and innovation community including founders, industry leaders, investors, retailers, and more.  More than 150 guests are expected to attend this year’s event, showing Minnesota’s continued strength at the trade show.

The Minnesota Pavilion at Expo West is made possible by the MDA and the support of our event sponsors and partners: AURI, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), GreaterMSP, GoodCarts, Naturally Minnesota, NearestYou, and Renewing the Countryside.

Learn more about the New Markets Program and the Minnesota Pavilion at Natural Products Expo West.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us
 

Six Minnesota grocers who promote locally grown and produced products have been named a 2023 Retailer of the Year by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Minnesota Grown program, in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA).

This year’s winners include:

• Northwest: Lueken’s Village Foods, Bemidji
• Northeast: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
• West Central: Pine River Family Market, Pine River
• Southwest: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia
• Twin Cities: Kowalski’s, White Bear Lake
• People’s Choice: Knowlan’s Supermarket, Maplewood

“We thank these grocers and their employees for their leadership in highlighting locally grown foods for their customers,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Minnesota-grown products are essential in providing fresh and nutritious foods to communities across the state.”

MDA and MGA staff will be presenting the awards in-person at a MGA event this spring, and will be conducting a Retailer of the Year tour to visit each of the winning stores. The retailers in their respective regions will receive a commemorative plaque, exclusive rights to use the “Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year 2023” logo in their ads and displays, as well as recognition amongst retailers and consumers that they are champions of all things local.

Judging was based on several factors, including the number of Minnesota Grown products and the number of Minnesota Grown farmers and producers that the grocer carried. Judges also looked at how the grocer used ads, displays, social media, and other events to promote Minnesota Grown items to customers.

“Grocers are the foundation of the communities they serve and are incredibly proud of our innovative local partnerships from farm to fork,” said MGA President Jamie Pfuhl. “The success of the Minnesota Grown program is driven by the exceptional efforts of all in the food industry. We are proud to play a role in this collective effort that showcases and celebrates innovative partnerships and brings wonderful local products to our customers.”

The 2023-2024 contest opens on August 1, 2023, and runs through September 30, 2023. Information about how to participate is available on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.

The Minnesota Grown Program is a statewide partnership between the MDA and Minnesota producers of specialty crops and livestock. It was created over 30 years ago by specialty crop growers to differentiate their produce from produce grown thousands of miles away.

The Minnesota Grocers Association is the only state trade association that represents the food industry of Minnesota from farm to fork. It has served the industry for over 125 years, with over 300 retail, manufacturer, and wholesale members supporting nearly 1,300 locations statewide. MGA member companies employ over 150,000 union and non-union Minnesotans. It actively advances the common interest of all those engaged in any aspect of the food industry as a leader and advocate in government affairs.

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Media Contact
Logan Schumacher, MDA Communications
651-201-6193
Logan.Schumacher@state.mn.us