By Scout Nelson
St. Paul, MN, has become a hub of recognition for local food promotion as the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), in collaboration with the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA), announced the 2024 Retailer of the Year winners. This prestigious title is awarded to grocers excelling in promoting locally grown and produced products.
The 2024 honorees are distinguished for their innovative approaches in marketing local produce and products, reflecting a strong partnership between grocers, farmers, and consumers. These winners include:
- Northwest Winner: Hugo’s Family Marketplace, East Grand Forks
- Northeast Winner: Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
- West Central Winner: Elden’s Fresh Foods, Alexandria
- Southwest Winner: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Waconia
- Southeast Winner: Nilssen’s Foods, Zumbrota
- Twin Cities Winner: Kowalski’s Markets, Grand Avenue
- People’s Choice: Festival Foods, Hugo
MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen applauded these grocers for their creative strategies in boosting local food consumption, thereby benefiting farmers, communities, and the local economy. Each winner will receive a commemorative plaque and exclusive rights to the "Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year 2024" logo, elevating their stature among retailers and consumers.
The selection criteria included the variety and number of local products offered, and the range of Minnesota Grown farmers and producers represented. Judges evaluated the effectiveness of their marketing strategies, including ads, displays, and social media campaigns.
Jamie Pfuhl, President of the MGA, emphasized the crucial role of grocers in their communities and their innovative partnerships from farm to fork. The success of the Minnesota Grown program is a testament to the collective efforts of those in the food industry.
The contest for the 2025 Retailer of the Year will commence in August 2024. This ongoing initiative is part of the broader Minnesota Grown Program, a partnership between the MDA and local producers to promote specialty crops and livestock, which has been active for over 35 years.
The Minnesota Grocers Association, representing the state's food industry from farm to fork for over 125 years, serves over 300 members, supporting nearly 1,300 locations and employing more than 150,000 people statewide. This association stands as a crucial leader and advocate in government affairs, continually advancing the interests of those in the food industry.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling
Categories: Minnesota, Business, Crops, Livestock