March is Women’s History Month. We are proud to stock our shelves year-round with many women-owned businesses that often qualify for our Community Foods program. Learn more about a few of them below, then check out more Community Foods producers here.
Fair AnitaSmall-scale, inclusive, sustainable
When Fair Anita founder Joy McBrien learned that financial insecurity is the number one reason why women stay in abusive relationships, she knew she wanted to be a resource for survivors. Fair Anita is named after a social worker-turned-friend who Joy lived with when visiting Peru, and the company collaborates with over 8,000 talented artisan partners and brilliant women to create jewelry, accessories, and gifts. They strive to build a more inclusive economy for women and recognize that artisan partners are crucial to changing the future of fashion. Joy built her business on a vision – one where women and girls can grow up feeling safe, respected, and valued, no matter their geography.
Small-scale, local, inclusive, sustainable
Salad Girl sprouted from a summer job owner Pam Powell had as a teenager right here in Minnesota! This opportunity led to a life-long love of eating and preparing fresh and flavorful dressings. She believes that eating fresh, organic goodness benefits us individually, communally, and environmentally. Salad Girl cold-blends their dressings to maintain the delicious flavor and nutrients of organic ingredients. They are deservedly proud to be the first certified organic fresh salad dressing on refrigerated shelves in Minnesota. Like us at Seward Co-op, they are also celebrating a milestone anniversary – Salad Girl turns 15 this year!
Seemore Meats & VeggiesSmall-scale, inclusive, sustainable
Seemore Meats & Veggies was founded by fourth-generation butcher Cara Nicoletti. Butchery is in her blood, and the company is named after her 91-year-old retired grandfather, Seymour Salett. He ran their family’s butcher shop for 60 years and the name is a reminder to keep quality and transparency at the forefront of her business. Cara’s goal in making sausages is to use high-quality, humanely-raised meat, and less of it per sausage. Her goal is to ensure that Seemore sausages contain 35% or more vegetables for a more sustainable — and flavorful — sausage.
HoyoSmall-scale, local, inclusive, sustainable
Hoyo is produces traditional sambusas from scratch in Bloomington, Minn. Hoyo (HOY-oh), the Somali word for mother, employs Somali mothers, many of whom have ownership in the company, to make sambusas. Sambusas are a traditional dish of spiced meat and lentils wrapped in flakey pastry, and they pair perfectly with Hoyo’s flavorful sauces and salsas. Hoyo first started offering ready-to-bake sambusas at Seward Co-op in 2017—and now it’s available at more than 20 grocery stores and co-ops throughout the metro. Sambusas are how the mothers and women of Hoyo share a piece of their culture with the Twin Cities community while also providing for their families.
