Feast! returns to Rochester with hybrid event

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – Feast! returned to Mayo Civic Center Saturday for its eighth year. This year the organizers decided to go with a hybrid method, for the first time, allowing customers to choose whether they wanted to show up in person or shop online.

This annual event allows food and beverage businesses from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota to display their unique products with the hope that anyone who stops by can learn why local is best.

Hosting more than 100 regional food businesses each year, Feast! offers products like jams, cheeses, chocolates and wines that can be purchased on site or through the Online Marketplace.

President of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Tim Penny, says this event is to raise awareness of local foods that are being produced and processed in our region.

“Most of them have been here in years past so they really feel that this has been a great event for them to get out and promote their products,” said Penny.

“It’s all about sharing. Sharing and caring and getting to know other people. Getting to know other local vendors, other people in Minnesota, other people that I could potentially cross-promote with, connect with. I mean, that’s the essence of Feast!,” said CEO and owner of Luvafoodie Michelle Mazzara.

For more information on Feast!, visit its website.