JULY 2015                                                                                         www.minnesotagrown.com
In This Issue...
Strawberry Update!
Garlic Fest
Eating Seasonally
Red Raspberry, White and Blueberry
Local Food Cookout


 Curious about what an actual CSA share looks like and contains each week? Check out our interactive map illustrating all the local goodness grown and raised by Minnesota Grown CSA Farmers! We will this map each week with photos and information on what can be found in CSA shares throughout the state of Minnesota.
 
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When eating local this summer don't forget to pick up some of those lesser known fruits and vegetables from your local producer or farmers market! July brings a bounty of tasty, versatile vegetables to fill market stands and CSA boxes. There are plenty of ways to incorporate underestimated Minnesota Grown produce into your dishes and fill your table with fresh, new dishes. Eggplant and kohlrabi are some of our favorites and we have provided the preparation tips and recipes to make sure they become some of yours as well.  

 

Check it out!
straw 
Across the state, we have been hearing great things about strawberries this season. We have had a long and plentiful harvest at farms in the south and metro regions of the state with picking still going strong at many farms! Northern farms growing these delicious berries have started to spot the red berries and are getting ready to open! Ter-Lee Gardens in Bagley and Lavalier's Berry Patch in Grand Rapids expect their berries to be right on track and are preparing to open this week. Peterson Berry Farm, who are a little further north in Eveleth, are seeing many healthy green berries and watching them closely for ripening. They expect to be opening in a couple more weeks. 

Remember to call ahead to your favorite berry farm before arriving to pick and keep an eye on their Facebook pages for updates! To learn some strawberry picking tips from the experts, hear some farmer testimonials on the 2015 season, or learn how to freeze and store your berries, check out our Minnesota Grown Fresh Strawberry article from the June Pick of the Month Newsletter.

To find a berry farm near you visit: www.MinnesotaGrown.com


The Minnesota Grown Promotion Group, Inc. will be hosting a fundraiser for new Minnesota Grown t-shirts with this fresh design!

These shirts will be available to order for two weeks only from July 6th to the 19th! Keep an eye on our Facebook Page or our website for more details!

 
garlic festivalgar 
Join Minnesota Grown and other cool Minnesotan's at the

Presented by the Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota, the Garlic Festival is a fun, family friendly event with silly activities for all ages from 10a to 6p, on Saturday, August 15th at the McLeaod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, MN.

Get there early to see the open ceremony and the "first bulb" being thrown at 9:50a. Have you always wanted to be in a parade? Join in the fun for the Peculiar Pragmatic Promenade starting precisely at 1:37p (meet at 1:20 to line up) - you can wear a silly costume and win a prize! Stay all day and participate in kite making from 2-4p. With tons of food vendors, competitions and games to play - it truly is an all day event for everyone!

And for those of you who are 21+, don't forget the Minnesota Wine and Craft beer exhibit to help wash down all that garlic goodness you ate! For just $20, you receive a commemorative wine glass or beer mug and three drink tickets! Stay until 5:30 to hear the winner of 'The Garlic Festival People's choice award".

So mark your calendars, add the event to your phone and be sure to set a reminder - Saturday, Aug 15th in Hutchinson Minnesota. Don't forget to stop by the Minnesota Grown booth and say hello!
2013 garlic festival
 






(Photo from the 2013 Minnesota Garlic Festival) 
 








2014 garlic fest
 


 (Photo from the 2014 Minnesota Garlic Festival)  
We love Minnesota Grown blueberries. Like, in everything. If you are anything like us you are going to
love this quick and easy puff pastry swirl recipe that is perfect for Sunday brunch or a picnic in the park.
You can use any kind of fruit and make them year round. Try using your frozen Minnesota Grown berries throughout the winter! Make this recipe patriotic, and perfect for the Fourth of July weekend by
 including raspberries!




There has been amazing growth in the number of vineyards and wineries in Minnesota since the first opened here in 1978. There are now more than 40 wineries in the state, and they make a great outing. In fact, there are several farm winery "wine trails" to make it easy for visitors to explore our wineries. In addition to the chance to taste and purchase their wines, most wineries offer more experiences, as well. Check for tours, food and wine pairings, and other special events including live music, festivals and, during the fall harvest, grape stomps!