location: 2834 10th ave s minneapolis
website: http://www.freewheelbike.com

from their site:

Freewheel Midtown Bike Center is a joint effort of Allina Health Systems and the City of Minneapolis to provide the Midtown and larger Twin Cities community a full service bike transportation station, complete with long/short term Bike Storage , Bike Rentals, Cafe , Repair Classes and even Public Shop where you can do your own maintenance. We also have a full service repair shop, bicycle and accessory sales, public restrooms and showers, and other ancillary uses.

location: 704 south second st., minneapolis, mn
web: http://www.millcityfarmersmarket.org

you certainly can’t beat the location. plan it well it enough and you could even hit a twins game after stocking up on whatever’s fresh that week. tons of different vendors, fun atmosphere and all the other things you look for in a farmers’ market.

they have cheap parking available so don’t try pulling that “oh whoa is the city trip” buzz-kill. pack the family in the mini-van and make it happen.

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location: 2813 s. 43rd st. minneapolis
web: http://www.lindenhills.coop

i wish i had some witty anecdote to talk about this co-op, but i usually have debilitating anxiety attacks if i leave uptown. therefore i’m looking to the community to fill the gaps, here.
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what exactly does it entail? what does it cost? is it right for me?

i went straight to the source and got some answers to these, and a few more, questions. a huge thanks to mike lind from driftless organics for taking a few minutes to give us the info!

how would you describe what a csa program is?:
A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program is the weekly (or every other week) distribution of organically grown produce, meat and more to households who join the farm for the season. By joining a CSA, you experience a wide variety of seasonal bounty that has been washed, packed and delivered to neighborhoods around the city. A CSA is a great way to directly support sustainable agriculture and your local food system.

why do you think its important?:
A CSA connects the eater to the grower. It helps people learn where there food comes from, where and most importantly HOW it is grown. It gives people the peace of mind, knowing that the vegetables they, and their children, are consuming were grown by local folks who CARE about the food, how it is grown and about the families that are eating it. A CSA also helps to keep money circulating on a more local level, amongst everyday folks (like the farm’s many local employees) and directly into the pockets of giant agribusiness billionaires.

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location: 50561 county road b soldiers grove, wi 54655
web: http://www.driftlessorganics.com/

driftless organics started as a small-time potato operation run by adolescent brothers josh and noah engel. it has since blossomed into the organic farm many of you may know from their presence at the several co-ops, farmer’s markets and restaurants around the twin cities.

they have a robust csa vegetable program as well as a cattle guy. they have about 4 different pick-up spots around the minneapolis area as well as one down in the minnetonka area for all of your burb-folk. i believe i’m going to be trying this out in 2009. check out their site, and we have quotes and pics after the jump.

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location: 2917 lyndale ave s minneapolis, mn
web: http://www.galacticpizza.com

located right on lyndale ave in uptown, this pizza place offers up some of the tastiest pizza around. their menu consists of the basics you’d expect from any pizza place with a few specialties you’d be crazy not too try. i prefer the thailander myself. a lot of products are certified organic, and procurement is of local growers. they even have a csa pizza w/ produce from those lovely folks down at harmony valley farms.

the most important distinction of galactic is their delivery-people running around town in self-created super hero costumes. i didn’t realize this the first time i ordered. the first time you eat here, get the full experience and order-in. pics and quotes after the jump.

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location: 1828 marshall st. ne, #11, mpls, mn 55418
web: http://www.foatdesign.com

did that over-extending waddling-dog pose at lastnight’s yoga session finally overcome the structural integrity of your pants? patch up that damaged pride with a little retail-therapy. foat design hocks the yoga gear you not only need, but secretly desire.

ran by two sisters, this is the perfect way to get the quality you deserve while pumping precious dollars into that minneapolis economy. they are sweat-shop free and take the 3R-s to heart turning old sweaters into dresses.

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location: 2309 west 50th st., minneapolis, mn
web: http://www.birchclothing.com

offering clothing and accessories procured under fair trade conditions, with sustainable fabrics and materials; how ISN’T birch clothing saving the world? well, at least they’re trying.

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locations: lyndale (312 east lyndale ave n) | nicollet mall (700 nicollet mall)
web: http://www.mplsfarmersmarket.com

these two famers’ markets are the only times you’ll feel like you live in an actual big city. plenty of people, nowhere to walk. don’t let that prevent you from enjoying the show, however. all kinds of vendors hocking everything from pants to portabellas. mostly local-farmers with organic produce.

there are two locations. during the week, find a decent number of vendors along nicollet mall. cross your fingers and you might get to see me in a tie. the larger event is on saturdays on lyndale under the interstates.

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location: 8100 jefferson highway, brooklyn park, mn
web: http://www.co.hennepin.mn.us 

for those of you who are trully committed to the 3-Rs (please don’t admit that you don’t know what they are) but you’re landlord is unwilling to spring for recycling pick-up, you can make the drive to brooklyn park or bloomington and drop it off yourself.

drop-off for most common-household recycling is free of charge. the best part? the even accept consumer electronics for free (only in small quantities, mind you). check the website for hours, as i’m sure change frequently and i’m too lazy to update this post.

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