Lakewinds Store Tours
Understanding where our food comes from and how it gets to our plate is essential for the next generation to build empowering relationships with food. That’s why Lakewinds partners with local schools to support programs and provide opportunities to learn about basic nutrition, how to grow food, and the local food system. When you shop at the co-op, you’re supporting this work and helping to reach more schoolchildren in the communities around our stores.
Store Tour Topics
Each school year the co-op welcomes hundreds of children from schools and community groups across the Twin Cities for tours of our stores free of charge. Topics fluctuate depending on the age and interests of the group, but generally we cover things like:
- Basic nutrition (ideas like “eat your colors” or “always foods vs. sometimes foods”).
- The importance of choosing local products when we can.
- Food miles and environmental impacts of the foods we eat.
- Sustainable growing and packaging methods.
- How a cooperative business functions.
- And other food system topics tailored to the tour group’s needs.
Of course, samples are always a big hit, especially local Kindercrisp apples and Featherstone carrots when they’re in season.
More Details
Store tours aren’t limited to schoolchildren; groups of adults are welcome too! Tours typically last 40 to 60 minutes. Due to store traffic and staffing needs, Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays are off-limits, as are the months of September, November, and December. Thanks for understanding!
If you’d like to schedule a store tour for your group, please fill out the form below. We’ll reply with scheduling options within 5 business days. Space is limited, so it’s best to submit your request 3-4 weeks ahead of your preferred tour date. Thank you, and see you at the co-op!