The Seward Co-op Creamery Café relaunched last fall with a casual, comfortable atmosphere and family-friendly menu. It may be a pit stop on your way to work or a go-to lunch spot or happy hour choice for your family—but to many it’s evolved into more than that. Over the last year, thanks to our staff and community, the space is a venue in which to learn about food by sharing experiences with loved ones and also those who bring it from the farm to the table.

The menu features familiar favorites, as well as several dishes that range from vegetarian sandwiches to classic brunch fare. Local producer, Sonny’s Ice Cream, located in Uptown, provides our hand-dipped ice cream. We also offer local ice cream treats from Sweet Science and Jonny Pops. During warm-weather months, customers can sip a beverage or enjoy a meal on our new patio. The warm and inviting physical space is conducive to conversation and a great location in which to study, enjoy a family meal, or host a business meeting.

The café intentionally sources from local farms that may be too small or lacking the resources to support the sales and customer demand of our retail stores, in an effort to support up-and-coming farmers growing their operations. Plus, it keeps money right here in the community we share. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our eNewsletter for information on attending one of our upcoming Farm Table Dinners, forums or other community events.

Not only does the café rely heavily on many of the small farmers and producers who provide our grocery stores with local ingredients, but we also source from ourselves. Café customers can expect Seward Co-op baked goods, sausage and housemade soups. Keep an eye out for cooperatively handcrafted items for sale in our retails case, like pesto, curry sauce, and jam.

Customers who dine in the café are also supporting the businesses with which Seward Co-op partners. The cooperation within Seward Co-op and among our farmers and diners contributes to the creation of wealth in our community one dish at a time.

Stop by the co-op September 20—October 3 to learn how you can support the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund. Blue Marble Brands, the company that brings you some of your favorite products like Woodstock Organics, Koyo Ramen and Mediterranean Organics has long supported the importance of organic farming. With their promotion, “Plant the Seed: Eat. Learn. Grow Organic,” you can pick up a coupon at Seward Co-op that not only gives you a $1 off select Blue Marble Brands products, but also supports more organic farmers. For every coupon redeemed, Blue Marble Brands will donate $1 to the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund.

The Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund is a program that provides educational opportunities for students that focus on organic agriculture. The grant is awarded to K-8 teachers for an educational experience called “Look at Agriculture…Organically!” It is also used to fund Future Farmers of America (FFA) projects for high-schoolers as well as tuition and educational expenses related to organic agriculture programs for higher education students.

You can learn more about the Future Organic Farmer Grant Fund here. Do you know any local schools, FFA members or college students that could benefit from this grant? Encourage them to apply in their respective category – and help grow organic agriculture!

On Aug. 16, Seven Sundays of Minneapolis, MN issued a voluntary recall of their Vanilla Cherry Pecan Muesli (12 oz. pouches) because it may contain undeclared almonds. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Vanilla Cherry Pecan Muesli $5.79
UPC: 8-56088-00315
Sell By: June 29, 2018
Size: 12 oz.

If you purchased this product at Seward Co-op between May 16 – Aug. 16, 2017, it will be fully refunded at either our Franklin or Friendship store Customer Service desk.

Box Tops has helped local schools earn over $800 million for things like helping build playgrounds, installing computer labs, and funding other programs that enrich their school communities since 1996, and are featured on some of your favorite Natural and Organic brands like—Cascadian Farms and Annie’s.

We’ve always placed great importance on listening to our consumers. After learning that over 90% of Annie’s consumers wanted Box Tops on Annie’s packages*, we’re pleased to announce that you can now find Box Tops on many of Annie’s products including: mac & cheese, fruit snacks, cereal, frozen snacks, granola bars, and more.

Help us continue to help schools earn cash, by clipping Box Tops! From Wednesday, Aug. 16—Tuesday, Aug. 29, visit our stores to find specially marked packages stickered with TWO BONUS Box Tops. You’ll find many of your favorite Annie’s & Cascadian Farm products on sale too! So, keep clipping your Box Tops, and help support your local schools!

Each box top is worth 10 cents to redeeming school when clipped from box tops products and sent to the redeeming school. Only BTFE registered schools can redeem box tops. Limit $20,000 per school per year for box tops redeemed through the clip program. See www.boxtopsforeducation.com for program details.

*Source: Annie’s Box Tops Study, May 2015

Creamery Café’s staff thanks everyone who attended our first Farm Table Dinner, featuring pasture-raised Red Wattle pork from Pork and Plants Heritage Farm. Chef de Cuisine Matt Kappra, with support from Sausage Production Supervisor Kyle Wondrasch, offered a delectable menu of head cheese, pork rillette, loin sliders, bratwurst, pork pibil and even a summer cherry pie made with pork lard. Beverages paired with the food – beer from local brewing cooperative, Fair State, and cider from Sweetland Orchard – provided balance and delight! As part of the dinner, we were honored to host Eric and Ann Kreidermacher, the farmers at Pork and Plants.

Seward Co-op Creamery Café may be a pit stop on your way to work or a go-to lunch or happy hour choice for your family. To many of us, it’s more than that. We’re happy to offer the Creamery Café as a space to learn about food by sharing experiences with those who bring it from the farm to the table. Stay tuned for more opportunities to engage with local farmers, producers, and community members in the future.

Seward Co-op Creamery Café may be a pit stop on your way to work or a go-to lunch or happy hour choice for your family. To many of us, it’s more than that. We’re happy to offer the Creamery Café as a space to learn about food by sharing experiences with those who bring it from the farm to the table.

Join us at the Seward Co-op Creamery Café for a dinner event on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., featuring two farm partners just west of the metro area: York Farm (Hutchinson, Minn.) and Rebel Soil (Litchfield, Minn.). Farm owners Andy Cotter & Irene Genelin and Andy Temple & Aimee Haag—along with their certified-organic and sustainably grown produce—will be our special guests for the evening. Creamery Café staff are delighted to feature a variety of vegetables, fruits, greens and sprouts showcasing the season’s harvest. Beverage pairings from Indeed Brewing and Feral Kombucha are available for $15. Tickets are limited, so grab your seat at our “Farm Table” right away!

Follow the Seward Co-op and our Creamery Café on social media and visit our website for future opportunities to engage with local farmers, producers, and community members.

York Farm

World champion unicyclists turned second generation farmers Irene Genelin and Andy Cotter embarked on their farming adventure together in 2010. Andy’s family originally bought the farm in 1971. As the local food movement gained momentum and Andy became interested in balancing food production and sustainability, farming became appealing to the General Mills IT professional. In 2002, Andy bought the farm for his residence. Today, York Farm is in their eighth season and has a dozen acres filled with rows of certified-organic grapes, strawberries, apples, plums, pears, currants, gooseberries, apricots, and Arctic kiwi.

Rebel Soil

Rebel Soil’s farming practices “rebel” against modern agricultural methods dependent on harmful chemicals, cheap labor and heavy machinery. Aimee and Andy vow to grow healthful, freshly harvested produce free of harmful pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Farming on their small, four-acre farm in Litchfield provides them with daily opportunities to do more than simply grow produce, the couple also advocates for increased access to clean food, a healthier environment and stronger community ties.

Seward Co-op is issuing a voluntarily recall of its Chorizo Empanadas due to mislabeling and undeclared allergens. The product label incorrectly identified the product. In addition, the product contains tree nuts, a known allergen which was not declared on the finished product label. Between Aug. 12, 2017 and Aug. 14, 2017, Seward Co-op sold the product affected by this recall at both the Franklin and Friendship stores.
Seward Co-op Chorizo Empanadas ($7.99/lb.)
UPC: 203725202xxxxxx

If you purchased the above product at Seward Co-op between Aug. 12, 2017 and Aug. 14, 2017, recalled products will be fully refunded at either our Franklin or Friendship store Customer Service desk. Questions may be directed to Seward Co-op’s Franklin store at 612.338.2465 or Friendship store at 612.230.5595.