Join Second Harvest Heartland and Our Partners at the State Fair!
It's State Fair season! The Great Minnesota Get Together returns to Saint Paul, bringing its dazzling array of vendors, livestock exhibitions, crop art, amazing music, educational experiences, and, of course, delicious eats.
We hope you will visit our State Fair booth on Wright Ave between August 22nd and 25th, sign the pledge to vote on or before November 5th, and pick up your free "Hunger Is a Policy Choice" tote bag while supplies last. Your participation will help us advocate for a future where no Minnesotan goes hungry.
We also wanted to highlight a few of our Second Harvest Heartland partners: whether you’re stopping by to learn more about livestock, or indulging in some State Fair treats, make sure to say thanks.
WCCO celebrates 100 years on the air at this year's State Fair.
WCCO
WCCO has been telling Minnesota’s story to listeners since 1924. A trusted source of local and national news, WCCO has also been an integral voice in telling the story of hunger through their partnership with Second Harvest Heartland. WCCO’s annual radiothon brings varied stories of hunger to their passionate listeners, bringing in financial donations that go a long way toward helping Minnesota families access the nutritious food they need to thrive. Friday, August 30th will be officially deemed 830 Day by the governor--help WCCO celebrate 100 years on the air!
Afro Deli's newest offering can be found in the food building.
Afro Deli
One of our Kitchen Coalition's kitchen partners makes their return to the State Fair after their debut in 2023. Afro Deli helps provide culturally connected and ready-made meals to neighbors with barriers to cooking. Their newest fair offering, Afro Poppers, are bite-size pastries infused with an African blend of spices – ground vanilla, cardamom, ginger, cloves and nutmeg – deep-fried and coated with choice of coconut flakes, sugar or served plain.
The Turkey Kristo can even be prepared vegetarian!
MN Farmers Union
The voice of agriculture opens their wildly popular coffee shop once again in 2024. New this year is their Turkey Kristo: Minnesota made Pan-O-Gold Texas Toast, house made apple butter from Westcott Orchard, house made spicy brown mustard, CannonBelles white cheddar, sliced Ferndale turkey, topped with powdered sugar. All local ingredients from Minnesota farmers. Plus, a great first stop if you need an early morning caffeine boost!
Families enjoying a fun interactive way to learn about farming.
Kemps Little Farm Hands
The State Fair at its heart is an agriculture festival. What better way to celebrate than to have kids and their families experience a day on the farm? This beloved agricultural exhibit lets kids and their families help with farm chores, collect fresh fruits and veggies, and even spend their hard-earned bucks at the grocery store.
MFJN is a collaboration of individuals and organizations in the Twin Cities Metro Area partnering to advance racial equity by transforming our food system.
The Common Table
Metro Food Justice Network is bringing members and friends of the network to The Common Table exhibit in the Agriculture/Horticulture Building. This year The Common Table will feature over 20 exhibiting partners, family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, and awesome daily prizes from the local food network. Join Second Harvest Heartland and other MFJN network members to learn about food justice and find common ground!
Sticky Rice--on a stick!
Union Hmong Kitchen
Union Hmong Kitchen became the first Hmong food offering at the State Fair when it debuted in 2022. An instant classic stop for eats, this year's new offering is in true fair fashion: Grilled Sticky Rice with Hmong Beef Jerky on a stick! For the vegetarians in the crowd, a Grilled Sticky Rice with Pickled Mushrooms is available--and gluten free! Find their signature yellow signage in the International Bazaar.
Baby piglets birthed at the Oink Booth
The Oink Booth
Sponsored by Minnesota Pork, the iconic Oink Booth has showcased the life of a pig farmer for years. Put on your signature pig ear headband and learn about modern-day Minnesota pig barns. Visit the MN Pork Booth on Sunday August 25th for kid’s fitness-themed challenges, a photo booth, and a pig!
The All-You-Can-Drink-Milk Booth
All-You-Can-Drink-Milk sponsored by Midwest Dairy
It’s long been known as the best deal at the State Fair: All-You-Can-Drink-Milk. Operated by our partners at Midwest Dairy and staffed by dairy farmers and their families, the stand offers both 2% white and 1% chocolate milk at the corner of Judson and Clough. On average, customers drink two to three glasses of milk, and the stand serves about 26,000 gallons of milk each year!
The food served is made with ingredients purchased from Indigenous vendors
Indigenous Food Lab
Making their State Fair debut, the Indigenous Food Lab will be posted up at the Midtown Global Market from August 28th until September 2nd. In the words of Ismael Popoca Aguilar, the Indigenous Food Lab’s culinary leader, it will be the State Fair’s “first Indigenous vendor selling Indigenous food on Indigenous land.” The vendor will offer a nixtamal and wild rice bowl with bison meatballs or sweet potato dumplings to hungry fair-goers.
Family farms receiving century and sesquicentennial honors will be recognized in the building
Minnesota Farm Bureau
The Minnesota Farm Bureau building, located on Underwood Street across from Ball Park Café, is full of ways agriculture plays a key role in sports. From food to equipment and everything in between, learn more about how products you use every day start on the farm with our interactive games and displays. Plus stop by for spatulas, mini foam fingers, and other giveaways! [Editor's Note: My son's favorite toy is a Minnesota Farm Bureau squishy ball]
Come visit Second Harvest Heartland at the Fair!
Second Harvest Heartland
We're excited to announce that Second Harvest Heartland will be at the Minnesota State Fair from Thursday, August 22nd to Sunday the 25th to officially kick off our new "Hunger Is a Policy Choice" initiative. To end hunger, we need policymakers at every level at the table - alongside neighbors, nonprofits and the private sector. Register to vote and make sure to vote on or before November 5th! We invite you to visit our booth on Wright Ave. near the main gates and receive a free, limited-edition tote bag!
Not making it to the fair on the first weekend? No worries! Head over to the Minnesota Secretary of State's booth in the in the northeast section of the lower level in the Grandstand to learn more about the voting process, as well as fill out your voter registration!