ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop will open at 6 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 to serve fairgoers their first cup of morning coffee on the opening day of the 2021 Minnesota State Fair. The Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located at 1635 Dan Patch Ave., will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of Minnesota State Fair.
This year we debut Cucumber Jalapeño Limeade in addition to our locally roasted coffee menu. The Cucumber Jalapeño Limeade, which made this year’s Official 2021 New Fair Foods List, is made with juiced Minnesota-grown cucumbers and jalapeño syrup, served with a cucumber slice. The jalapeños are sourced from Tangletown Gardens in Plato, Minn., and the cucumbers are sourced from Twin Organics in Eagan, Minn.
“We are proud to work with Minnesota farmers to showcase Minnesota foods at the Minnesota State Fair,” said Minnesota Farmers Union (MFU) President Gary Wertish. “By working with local growers, local businesses and local suppliers, we are strengthening the local economy while at the same time raising awareness about the variety of options available in Minnesota.”
Returning to the menu this year is our Heirloom Tomato and Sweet Corn BLT. The BLT is served on Kernza® focaccia bread from Baker’s Field Flour & Bread in Minneapolis. Kernza® is a perennial grain and we’re doing our part to introduce eaters to this new grain to create a market for farmers who wish to grow it.
For those of you who are looking ahead, the 2022 Minnesota Cooks calendars will be available at the Farmers Union Coffee Shop. We made the difficult decision to cancel Minnesota Cooks Day due to COVID-19 concerns.
“We value our longstanding relationship with the Minnesota State Fair and the opportunity we’ve had to showcase our local foods program, Minnesota Cooks, on the Dan Patch Park stage for the last 18 years, where we connect with Minnesotans about the importance of local foods,” Wertish said. “This year, however, with the continuing health concerns of COVID-19 and the Delta variant, we have made the difficult decision not to host our annual Minnesota Cooks Day event. We do not feel that we can ask our program participants, many with young families, to attend given the risks it may bring.”
This state fair is sure to be unique and if you’re attending, be sure to stop by the Farmers Union Coffee Shop while at the Great Minnesota State Fair.
About Minnesota Farmers Union
Minnesota Farmers Union works to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life of family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. MFU is a nonprofit membership-based organization. Membership is open to everyone. Learn more and join at www.mfu.org, and follow MFU on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
— Minnesota Farmers Union
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