The Minnesota Grocers Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, has named eight retailers as 2025-2026 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year winners.
The awards recognize retailers demonstrating excellence in selling locally grown and produced products. Winners were selected across regional categories; a beer, wine and spirits category; and a people’s choice category determined by public vote.
Winners are:
- 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 Spirits: Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, The Cove Wine & Spirits, Minnetrista
“Minnesota grocers are leading the way in making locally grown and produced foods more accessible in their communities,” said MDA Commissioner Thom Petersen. “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.”
Awards were 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 evaluated use of advertising, displays, social media and events to promote Minnesota-grown items.
“We hear from participating retailers how this contest generates increased sales and inspires them to carry more locally-grown products,” said Minnesota Grown Marketing Manager Rachel Wandrei. “So, it is a triple win – for the stores, the farmers and ultimately the shoppers who can access fresh, high-quality products.”
Winners receive exclusive rights to use Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year branding in their advertising and displays and will be recognized at a 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,” said MGA President Patrick Garofalo. “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.”
Minnesota Grown is a program of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture created to promote products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years, the program has connected consumers with local farmers, farmers markets and agricultural producers through resources including the Minnesota Grown Directory.
The Minnesota Grocers Association represents the food industry from farm to fork, with more than 300 retail, manufacturer and wholesale members supporting nearly 1,300 locations statewide.
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