FEAST Local Foods Marketplace Returns to Rochester This Saturday!
This event brings together regional food makers from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa under one roof at the Mayo Civic Center. The public festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continues its mission of connecting consumers with locally grown and crafted products.
Now in its 12th year, FEAST! combines a gourmet tasting experience with unique shopping opportunities. Attendees can sample and purchase a wide range of artisan foods, from cheeses and chocolates to craft beverages produced in the region. The event celebrates local agriculture, food entrepreneurship, and the growing community of makers dedicated to high-quality, locally sourced products.
Families are encouraged to attend, with hands-on kids’ activities that include food sampling and educational games led by Mayo Clinic dietetic interns and Olmsted County Master Gardeners. Children will also receive a free gift courtesy of Mayor Kim Norton. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy live cooking demonstrations from regional chefs, including Zach Ohly, Beth Dooley, Rick Didora, Nick Kosevich, and Mary Jane Miller, as well as live music from KAVE duo and Greg Taylor.
Vendors at the festival participate through reserved booth spaces, showcasing their products and connecting directly with attendees. Festival-goers can also vote for their favorite maker in the “People’s Choice Award,” with the winner announced at 3:30 p.m., and enter FEAST! gift basket giveaways throughout the day.
The event is hosted by Renewing the Countryside and sponsored by organizations including Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Compeer Financial, Mayo Clinic, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, Ferndale Market, and more. Tickets are available online at local-feast.org/buytickets or at the door. General admission is $12 for adults at the door, $10 online in advance, and free for kids 12 and under. VIP tickets, which include a craft alcohol tasting for those 21 and older, are $35 at the door or $30 online in advance.
FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace offers a one-day celebration of the Upper Midwest’s culinary talent, connecting food lovers with local producers, supporting small businesses, and inspiring a stronger local foods economy.
For a full list of participating makers, cooking demonstrations, and sponsors, visit local-feast.org.
This article was made with assistance from AI
