Eight retailers demonstrating excellence in promoting locally grown and produced products have been named a 2025-2026 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year. The honor is presented by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program in partnership with the Minnesota Grocers Association.
“Minnesota grocers are leading the way in making locally grown and produced foods more accessible in their communities,” Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says in a news release. “This recognition is well deserved. These retailers are not only supporting local farmers and food businesses, they’re helping build stronger local food systems across the state.”
This year’s winners include:
- Northwest — Hugo’s Family Market, Thief River Falls
- Northeast — Super One Foods, Duluth Miller Hill
- Central — Chris’ Food Center, Sandstone
- Southwest — Wells Marketplace Foods, Wells
- Southeast — Nilssen’s Foods, Zumbrota
- Twin Cities — Kowalski’s Market, Excelsior
- People’s Choice — Knowlan’s Fresh Foods, Maplewood
- Beer, Wine and Sprits — Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, The Cove Wine & Spirits, Minnetrista
Each winner receives exclusive rights to use Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year branding in their ads and displays and will be recognized by their peers at an Minnesota Grocers Association event in the spring.
“The Minnesota Grocers Association is proud to support partnerships between grocery stores, distributors and food producers who are showcased in the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year contest,” says Patrick Garofalo, association president. “The Minnesota Grocers Association invites others to join us in celebrating these Minnesota-focused enterprises who bring fresh, healthy and locally sourced products to consumers across our state.”
Awards are determined by multiple factors, including the number of local products offered and the number of Minnesota farmers and producers the grocers purchased from. The review panel also looked at use of ads, displays, social media and events to promote Minnesota-grown items to customers. More information can be found on the Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year webpage.
“We hear from participating retailers how this contest generates increased sales and inspires them to carry more locally grown products,” says Rachel Wandrei, marketing manager for Minnesota Grown. “So, it is a triple win — for the stores, the farmers and ultimately the shoppers who can access fresh, high-quality products.”
