From Farm to Fork
The Good Acre’s Recipe for a Healthier Minnesota
BY EMMA GEARY
How MN’s largest nonprofit food hub is reshaping access, equity, and the future of local food.
In Minnesota, food is everywhere—on our farms, in our traditions, and at the center of how we gather. But what if the way we shop and eat could reshape the future of our communities?
The Good Acre has taken the farm-to-table approach and scaled it to the community level, making it easier for individuals and large wholesale buyers to purchase locally. As the largest nonprofit food hub in Minnesota, The Good Acre works with over 100 farmers, many of whom you see at farmers markets, to create enough collective volume to unlock larger business opportunities. This helps growers, retailers, institutions, consumers, governments, and donors sustain a healthier and more equitable food system. In 2024, The Good Acre directed $2.6 million to local farmers through purchasing, and 73% went to BIPOC farmers.
“We’re at a point in time where many people are desperate for a tangible way to live their values and have an impact on what’s happening around them and to the people in their communities,” said Sarah Hovseth, The Good Acre’s Director of External Affairs. “I’ve learned that as Minnesotans, we care deeply about the place we live and have a lot of pride in our state. As a nation leader in agriculture, we can do more to nourish both our farms and community members.”
No matter what social or political issue is closest to your heart, your daily food choices can help you live your values every day: supporting sustainable practices, fair pay for employees, ethical consumption, and the community as a whole. ‘Shopping local’ means supporting these values in ways that stretch beyond voting or donating (and arguably, it’s far more delicious).
“For me, this isn’t just about today: I’m thinking about what local food will look like 50 years from now. We all know what it looked like to see empty store shelves in 2020, and Minnesota is in a position to create resilience in our food supply chain, especially as our climate changes.” Sarah said.
Minnesota is the sixth-largest agricultural state in the country, but 85% of the food we eat comes from outside the Midwest. This is primarily because the products we’re growing here aren’t made for human consumption (think animal feed and biofuels); however, it doesn’t mean there isn’t still ample quality produce grown by local farmers, or that we can’t shift our local system to serve our eaters.
This year, The Good Acre celebrates their tenth anniversary. In their first ten years, they’ve unlocked over $10 million in purchasing, buying products from farmers and other small producers to support our local agricultural community and bring their food to our neighbors. In the last five years alone, they have generated a $14M benefit to the regional economy. The Good Acre is here for good, and there’s a role for everyone to play in reshaping our local food system.
Ready to shift your daily diet toward more locally grown food? Here are four easy ways to start:
1. EAT:
When it’s possible, shop at your local co-op, farmer’s market, or participate in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program to bring the freshest, most locally grown options to your plate. At your more conventional grocery store, look for ‘local’ produce and product signage. Start eating local today by purchasing a CSA at thegoodacre.org.
2. THINK:
As you cook, consume, and dine out at your favorite places, consider who grew the food you’re enjoying. Are they paid fairly, and would their family be able to eat the way you’re eating today if they wanted to? As these questions become more top of mind, it invites an opportunity to make more informed, mindful decisions daily.
3. ASK:
Sometimes, the easiest way to make a change is to start the conversation. Inquire with your workplace, campus, or children’s schools about their purchasing policies and how they source their food. Perhaps your child’s school already participates in a program that sources from local vendors. Still, if not, The Good Acre is here to help larger organizations support local farmers in affordable, efficient ways.
4. VOLUNTEER:
Whether it’s your time, your dollars, or your professional expertise, The Good Acre relies on a huge force of volunteers seasonally to ensure each farmer’s food gets into the hands of local families. Get your hands dirty and join in on the fun!
To learn more about The Good Acre, and purchase your Late Season CSA visit thegoodacre.org and follow along at @thegoodacremn.
Embrace harvest season with this fall-approved comfort meal, courtesy of local chef Beth Dooley.
Ginger Carrot Bisque
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon coconut oil or sunflower oil
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, or more to taste
4 cups chopped carrots
1 small potato, peeled and chopped
½ cup apple cider
6 cups stock or water
Generous pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of crushed red pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Chopped crystallized ginger for garnish
HOW TO
In a soup pot set over medium heat, heat the oil and saute the onions until soft and translucent.
Stir in the ginger, carrots, potato, apple cider, and enough stock or water to cover by 1 inch.
Increase the heat, bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the vegetables are soft.
Puree the soup in batches. Season to taste with the nutmeg, red pepper, salt, and pepper. Serve the soup garnished with crystallized ginger.
