Fall has arrived, the days are getting shorter, and Mother Nature has no shortage of abundance for us as we reach peak season for fresh produce and more. Sample the best of the season with Community Foods producers, who have at least two of the five following attributes: small-scale, local, sustainable, inclusive, and/or cooperatively run.
Celebrate Changing Seasons with Community Foods
Autumn Harvest Wild Rice
Small-scale, local, sustainable, inclusive
Harvested by hand by members of the local Ojibwe nation, Autumn Harvest Wild Rice supports Indigenous producers. The flavor of wild lake rice is enhanced by the traditional processing method of open, wood-fire parching. Enjoy Autumn Harvest rice mixed with dried cranberries, sautéed onions, and herbs stuffed into bell peppers or roasted squash.
Try this recipe for wild rice porridge from the Indigenous Foods Class Series.
Whistling Well Apples
Small scale, local, sustainable
Whistling Well Farm, founded in 1972, is an apple orchard located in the St. Croix River Valley. They offer autumn-time picking at the farm while also selling their apples to area co-ops, including Seward Co-op. Through a partnership with Cornell University and by practicing integrated pest management, Whistling Well is committed to sustainable and bee-friendly orchard management. Bob for their many varieties of apples, including First Kiss, SweeTango, Honeycrisp, Haralson, and Zestar!, at your next Halloween party, bake them into pies, or cook them down into a delightful sauce to pair with pork chops.
Learn more about Whistling Well and about apples.
Wild Acres Hens
Local, sustainable
Wild Acres Processing, Inc. is a family-run poultry and game farm located in Pequot Lakes, Minn. Throughout the lifecycle of the birds, the animals rotate through different areas of the facility, from incubators to free-range areas, with the intention of prioritizing the comfort and mobility of the birds with each move to a new space. Cook Wild Acres chickens and pull the meat for enchiladas or tacos, and don’t forget to save the bones. Roast them and use to make a beautiful golden stock with onions, carrots, and celery and store it in your freezer for soups as the weather gets cooler.
Learn more about Wild Acres.
Maple Valley Cooperative Maple Syrup
Small-scale, local, cooperative
Maple Valley Cooperative was founded over 30 years ago by maple farmer Cecil Wright and two friends. They minimally tap their maple trees so they stay healthy and can produce for up to 200 years. Many of the farms Maple Valley works with are multi-generational family farms. In return for their dedication to quality and stewardship, the co-op offers their farmers a competitive, sustainable living wage. Use Maple Valley maple syrup to sweeten seasonal lattes, drizzle over yogurt, or toss with root vegetables for a bit of sweet to balance their earthy flavors.
Learn more about Maple Valley Cooperative.