Nicollet Mall Farmers Market

When I first hatched the idea to start an artisan cheese business, one of my first visions was the three of us, Alex, Mari and I, sampling and selling our cheese at a farmers market.

Yesterday that vision became a reality, and it lived up to all of my wishes and expectations. We served many hundred samples and sold a bunch of cheese. Since my plans to secure a shade tent went south, we also got a bit of a sunburn.

With the girls at the stand, I was able to stroll around a bit. Almost twenty years ago, I worked downtown, literally a stone's throw from our location. It felt odd to think about my path from there to here, but my overwhelming emotion was gratitude. I'm doing something I love with help from my two favorite people.

We grabbed dinner before heading back to Mankato. What a great feeling to just sit and share memories after a hard day's work. Thanks, daughters; you made your old man proud.

Farmers Market

Starting tomorrow, we will be at the Minneapolis Farmers Market on Nicollet Mall most Thursdays. Alex and Mari are joining me for the maiden voyage. If you are anywhere nearby, please stop by for a free sample!

Kowalski's Does Mankato

Six intrepid cheesefolk from Kowalski's Markets made the trip down from the Cities to tour our plant and soak up the culinary culture of Mankato. After lunch at the famous (or infamous) Wagon Wheel, they stopped in for a few hours to watch the cheesemaking process and pepper me with hundreds of questions. They shot a number of pictures for a small feature in next month's Kowalski's Magazine.

Pictured are Jody (Hennepin), Scott (Woodbury), Jill (Head Honcho), Kylene (Grand), Bode (Eagan), and Bruce (Eden Prairie).

What a joy it was to have such a knowledgeable and enthusiastic group. Even after the extended conversation, I noted nary a glazed eye; I think they were even a little sad to go.

So, thank you all for braving Highway 169 and taking a day to visit. I hope it won't be the last time.

Online Orders

Last night, after a full day of deliveries in the Cities and a sample session at Surdyk's (as always, a great time), I returned back to the "plant" to offload the now empty coolers and tend to the cheese.

Finished with my duties, I booted up my laptop and checked my email. Lo and behold, our first ever online order from a "stranger" appeared. Donald Salamone of Philadelphia, PA, you are the first of, I hope, many. Your cheese will be shipped overnight on Monday--thanks so much for finding and taking a chance on us!

Props to my lifelong friend, Grant Keeney, for order number one. I sort of, well, strong-armed him to buy, to ensure the site actually worked. Karma, Grant, Karma. A close second place goes to Greg Herring, friend and partner who needed some Bent River for his annual Memorial Day gathering. He assures me it was a hit.

For those of you interested in ordering, keep in mind the shipping cost (thirty-two dollars) is the same whether you order the minimum of two wheels to the maximum six. It's a little steep, I know, but the cheese is well-packed in an insulated box and overnighted when the warm months are with us.

Again, thanks so much Donald; I hope to get a review back when you have a chance!