Top 10 Holiday Gift Ideas from the Co-op

Americans are expected to spend more than $725 billion on holiday-related purchases during the last two months of the year, according to the National Retail Federation. Just think of the good it could do if even a portion of that amount was spent on sustainable, local gifts, Fair Trade items, or environmentally friendly gifts. If … Continued

Winter Squash 101

Here at Lakewinds, we’re all about getting cozy and comfy as the winter months arrive. What better way to settle in than make a delicious recipe using winter squash? Though a humble fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!), squash is very versatile and enhances the flavor of many dishes. What are winter squash? Winter squash come … Continued

Lakewinds Loves Our Staff

What’s the secret to Lakewinds’ success as a co-op retail grocery store and active member of our community?  It’s our fantastic staff, both on the sales floor and behind the scenes! We decided to sit down with Grocery Category Manager for Refrigerated, Bulk Foods, Bread & Coffee, Paris, to learn about her time at Lakewinds, … Continued

7 Ways to Use Plant-Based Protein Powder

Protein powders provide an easy, versatile way to get the necessary amount of protein in your diet. Over the last 5 years, the number of plant-based protein powders has grown at a much faster rate than animal or dairy-based powders. Some people prefer plant-based powders for their lesser effect on the environment, some choose them … Continued

2019 Maker to Market Products in Stores

  After months of hard work, from finding the right packaging to measuring, mixing and creating in The Good Acre kitchen, our 2019 makers are now in stores! Wallflour Liege-style frozen waffles and Northern Harvest Crisp apple and berry crisps are in the frozen section at all three Lakewinds Food Co-op locations. Owners can find … Continued

Round Up Recap: Small Donations Leading to Big Change

Our community giving Round Up program is one of the ways Lakewinds cares for the communities we serve and call home. By rounding up their grocery bills at the register each month, Lakewinds shoppers contribute thousands of dollars to local nonprofit organizations doing important work in the Twin Cities metro area and surrounding communities. In … Continued

A Chat with Lakewinds Cheesemongers

  At Lakewinds, you’ll find passionate experts with deep knowledge of our products and how best to enjoy them. Our cheesemongers Judy, Freya and Jayne share what delights them about cheese, one of the world’s most varied and cherished flavors. Q: What do you love about leading your cheese department? Judy: Cheesemaking is a melding … Continued

Raised in Healthy Harmony

FARMER SPOTLIGHT: Peterson Craftsman Meats Meadow grasses and flowers bend in the breeze. Birds alight on a picture-perfect pond. In the distance, Limousin cattle happily graze on pasture. This prairie vista looks like a postcard, but it’s part of Peterson Craftsman Meats farm. “We start on one side, go across, and circle back,” says farmer … Continued

Lakewinds Volunteers – Tree Trust & Wilderness Inquiry

As a co-op, we’re dedicated to caring for our communities (one of the 7 co-op principles). We show our care for the communities our stores serve through programs like Round Up, which lets our shoppers choose to round up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar to donate to a local non-profit organization. Occasionally, we … Continued