7 Cool Things at the Farmers Market … That Aren’t Fruits or Veggies

For most people, the Maple Grove Farmers Market is known for its ample selection of fruits and vegetables grown around Minnesota. Yet fruits and vegetables are far from the only offering at the market.

Below is a look at seven cool vendors offering something a little different. But don’t take our word for it. The Maple Grove Farmers Market—located in the Maple Grove Community Center parking lot—is open Thursdays through October 24. The hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through September and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in October.

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Pride of Louisiana

• Hometown: Maple Grove
• Why it’s cool: It’s fresh shrimp. In Minnesota. Pride of Louisiana offers residents a chance to shop local while still enjoying delicacies from the Gulf.

Worm Farms of Minnesota

• Hometown: New Hope
• Why it’s cool: Let’s get our giggles out of the way now. Yes, the name has echoes of Dumb and Dumber. But the product itself couldn’t be any smarter. The company sells a fertilizer made up of worm castings—or worm poop. Casting nutrients are absorbed easily and immediately by plants, and the fertilizer is a natural ant repellant. “It’s the best kept secret,” said owner Jerry Snyder.

Natasha’s Pierogi and Dumplings

• Hometown: New Hope
• Why it’s cool: Natasha Obuhov is new to the Maple Grove Farmers Market, but her Eastern European staples taste like they belong with all the other fresh food at the market. They’re tasty, filling and low in sodium and fat. Pick up a package to take home.

Big Apple Bagels

• Hometown: Forest Lake
• Why it’s cool: There are a handful of bakeries at the market. Big Apple Bagels, though, doesn’t just have the typical bagels and scones. It also has a selection of pasta varieties.

Yer Yang Produce

• Hometown: Rosemount
• Why it’s cool: Flowers are a farmers market mainstay, but Yer Yang’s towering bouquets are a beautiful $7 bargain sure to brighten any table.

Barthel’s River Road Gold

• Hometown: St. Michael
• Why it’s cool: No need to head to Vermont to get fresh maple syrup. Barthel’s has 600 trees that it taps right here in Minnesota.

Smude’s Sunflower Oil

• Hometown: Pierz
• Why it’s cool: Sunflower oil is a little like shrimp in Forrest Gump: There are endless ways to use it. Janel Lamp-Wiese suggested using it for salad dressings, popcorn, fish fries and pan-fried veggies—among countless other options. It’s healthy and locally grown. Smude’s has 1,200 acres of its own sunflowers and purchases more seeds from five other growers in Morrison County.

• Hometown: Corcoran
• Why it's cool: Wood-fired brick oven pizza made right before your eyes at the market (or in your driveway if desired)