Stop Food Waste Challenge - Calendar of Events
Partner Events
All partner events are free unless otherwise noted.
Partner and Team Captain Kick-off with Ecochallenge
Thursday, August 1st 6 –7 p.m.
Virtual event (click the link to join)
Join Liz Zavodsky and Josh Newport from Ecochallenge to learn how to fully utilize the website platform to engage your organization or team and make the most of the challenge. Open to all challenge partners, team captains, and other interested individuals.
Mississippi Market Co-op classes
Please register with Mississippi Market Co-op for any of the events below at msmarket.coop/event
Safe Food Preservation
Thursday, August 1st 6 – 8 p.m.
Virtual event, Free
Learn about the many ways to save, store, and preserve seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy the best flavors and highest nutrition for as long as possible. This class introduces participants to best practices for storing fresh produce and the many different methods of food preservation. This class is offered by the U of M Extension Master Gardener volunteers of Ramsey County, who are eager to share research-based gardening best practices with the people in their community.
Herbal Tinctures and Salves
Tuesday, August 6th 6-7:30 p.m.
Dayton’s Bluff Mississippi Market - 740 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106
$5
Join Budding Herbalist Laurie Witzkowski to learn hands-on tinctures, salves, and other herbal remedies. Students will learn how to use leftover herbs in their garden and fridge to make herbal infusions and preparations. Students will create some goodies to take home after class.
Drop-In Food Scrap Dye with Textile Center
Saturday, August 10th 11 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Dayton’s Bluff Mississippi Market- 740 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106
Free
Use food scraps to create a unique design on a bandana or tea towel. Teachers will guide students through the dye process and steam your garment as you shop in the grocery store. On this event date, the market will have sampling from 4 local farmers, vendors, and other goodies throughout the store. Use the provided food scrap materials, or you can gather food scraps from home and bring them with you! This is an all-ages opportunity.
See the link for more information: In Person at East 7: Drop-In Food Scrap Dye with Textile Center - Mississippi Market Co-op (msmarket.coop)
Cooking with Food Scraps
Tuesday, August 13th 6-7:30 p.m.
Dayton’s Bluff Mississippi Market - 740 E 7th St, St Paul, MN 55106
$5
Join Madeline Summers in the kitchen to turn leftovers and food scraps into something delicious. The demonstration will include corn stock and general stock-making tips, turning veggies scraps into baked goods and candied peels, some ideas for bean water, end-of-the-jar dressings, perpetual soup, and more!
Documentary viewing and discussion of ‘Wasted! The Story of Food Waste’
Wednesday, Aug. 7th 6 – 8 p.m.
Ramsey County Library – Maplewood - 3025 Southlawn Dr, Maplewood, MN 55109
Sunday, Aug. 25th 2 – 4 p.m.
Ramsey County Library – Roseville - 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113
Join us for either of two viewings of the documentary "Wasted! The Story of Food Waste." Chef Anthony Bourdain takes you around the world to meet chefs who demonstrate innovative ways to transform food scraps into delectable dishes. The documentary also sheds light on the global issue of food waste and efforts to combat it. A guided discussion will follow each viewing, led by staff from Ramsey County Environmental Health.
Pickling Workshop
Tuesday, August 13, 6 – 7:30 p.m.
Bloomington Public Works Training Room, 1700 West 98th St., Bloomington
Join the City of Bloomington to learn more about food preservation and the refrigerator pickling process. Gain hands-on experience by bringing produce from home to pickle (think cucumbers, carrots, green beans, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, etc.). Each participant will be provided with two jars and the pickling solution at the workshop.
Register at blm.mn/pickle by August 9th.
Kanopy Digital Film Club and Discussion
Thursday, August 15th 6:30-8 p.m.
Ridgedale Library, Robert H. Rohlf Room - 12601 Ridgedale Dr, Minnetonka, MN 55305
Watch a series of featured films at your leisure then join in person at Ridgedale Library for a discussion and presentation with Hennepin County Food Waste Prevention Specialist Jenny Kedward. Hennepin County and Ramsey County library users can access Kanopy to watch the films online using their library account. Access Kanopy on your computer or smart TV or download the Kanopy app on your phone or tablet. Log in or create an account using your library location, library card barcode number and 4 digit PIN. Search for the featured films by name: Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, Before the Plate, Sustenance, and Eating Our Way to Extinction. See this link for more event information: Striving for Resilience Kanopy Climate Film Club: Food and Climate Impact
Ridgedale Library also put together a book list related to the challenge: Ridgedale Library Climate Action Booklist: Stop Food Waste Challenge
Celebration for Twin Cities Food Justice
Tuesday, August 20, 4 – 7 p.m.
Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley St. NE, Minneapolis
Join TC Food Justice in celebrating our 1 millionth pound of food rescued! Come honor our community, partners and volunteers - all are welcome! Free to attend, but we ask to please let us know you're coming by signing up on Eventbrite.
Movie Screening: Just Eat It!
Monday, August 26, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Highland Park Community Center, 1978 Ford Parkway, St Paul
We all love food, so why is it that 35% of all food in the U.S. is unsold or uneaten? Join Saint Paul - Public Works – Solid Waste for a documentary about food waste and its impact.
Ongoing Programs
Some farmers markets offer incentives to get children excited about fresh fruits and veggies. A common reward is a Power of Produce program, offering a $2 voucher or tokens redeemable for produce at the market. See the links for specific benefits offered at each market below.
| Date/Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Mill City Farmers Market |
| Saturdays through October from 7:30 a.m. to noon | Hopkins Farmers Market |
| Thursdays through September from 3 to 7 p.m., 3 to 6 p.m. in October | Maple Grove Farmers Market |
| Tuesdays through September from 3 to 7 p.m. | Minnetonka Farmers Market |
| Saturdays through August from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Northeast Farmers Market |
| Saturdays through August from 7 a.m. to noon, 8 a.m. to noon in September and October | Richfield Farmers Market |
Free Related Community Events
| Date/Time | Event | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, August 3 from 10-11 a.m. | Live Chef demo with Nettie Colón at Mill City Farmers Market | Mill City Farmers Market |
| Wednesday, August 7 from 5-7:30 p.m. | Community Cooks workshop at New Salem Lutheran Church | Appetite for Change |
| Thursday, August 8 from 6:00–7:30 p.m. | Ramsey County Master Gardeners Present: Fall into Winter at Maplewood Library | Ramsey County Master Gardeners |
| Saturday, August 17 from 9 a.m. to noon | Live Chef demo with Jenny Breen at Mill City Farmers Market | Mill City Farmers Market |
| Wednesday, August 21 from 5-7:30 p.m. | Community Cooks workshop at New Salem Lutheran Church | Appetite for Change |
Find Your Local Farmers Market
Farmers markets are a great opportunity to try fresh local foods. Check with market for special programs and incentives such as SNAP/EBT Market Bucks matching. Search Minnesota Grown’s farmers market directory or the documents below to find a market near you.