Now in its ninth year, Food. Ag. Ideas​​, led by Naturally MN​​​​​​ has become a must-attend gathering for farmers, entrepreneurs, brands, industry professionals and companies alike, drawing attendees from Minnesota and beyond.

FAI 2026 kicks off on Monday, October 26, with an optional (add-on) behind-the-scenes tour of the Minnesota State Fair, offering attendees an exclusive look at one of the state's most iconic agricultural institutions.

The main conference takes place on Tuesday, October 27, at Machine Shop, where you'll experience a full day of thought-provoking keynotes, panels, networking, and interactive programming centered around this year's theme, The Minnesota Model. Together, we'll explore how Minnesota's century of cooperative economics, land stewardship, and interconnected food system infrastructure has created a resilient ecosystem—and what the rest of the country can learn from it.

The day concludes with a joint networking happy hour at Mill City Museum, bringing together attendees from both Food. Ag. Ideas. and the Reuters Transform Food Conference for an evening of conversation, connection, and collaboration.

We can't wait to welcome you to FAI 2026!

Naturally Network members are invited to an exclusive virtual conversation with Target​, hosted by Naturally Minnesota​.

Get a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how one of the country's largest retailers operates. Attendees will hear directly from Melissa Millo, VP F&B, Dairy/Frozen, covering:

• Target's footprint, what sets them apart, and how their buying and selection process works

• Category trends and priorities Target is watching right now

• Timing and criteria for product review, and what makes a submission stand out

• The marketing and promotional support Target offers brand partners

The session will close with live Q&A, giving members the chance to ask questions directly.

This is the first installment of the Retail Spotlight Series, a new member-exclusive program giving Naturally Network members direct access to the retailers making buying decisions. Each month, a different Naturally Network chapter will host a conversation with a retailer from their region, giving members direct access to the people making buying decisions.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join Naturally Minnesota for a day trip to Redhead Creamery​ and experience Minnesota dairy production from pasture to plate. Round-trip transportation and lunch is included in your ticket, making it easy to spend the day exploring one of the state's premier farmstead creameries.

Your visit begins with a guided walking tour of the farm, where you'll learn about Redhead Creamery's history and see firsthand how a modern dairy operates. From the crops that feed the herd to the calves being raised, robotic milking technology, and the cheesemaking process, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at every step of the journey. The tour includes a tasting of Redhead Creamery's award-winning cheeses.

After the tour, enjoy lunch at the Creamery before spending free time exploring the property. Guests can choose to take an optional distillery tour, browse and purchase products at the Cheese Shop, or simply relax and take in the farm.

What's Included

• Round-trip bus transportation

• Guided farm and cheese production tour

• Cheese tasting

• Lunch at Redhead Creamery

• Free time to explore the farm, visit the Cheese Shop, or participate in an optional distillery tour

Know Before You Go

• Tours take place rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

• This is a walking tour across an active dairy farm, so comfortable footwear is recommended.

WILD is an immersive summer evening experience designed to bring women together for authentic connection, energy, and inspiration. Co-hosted by Naturally Minnesota, and Females in Food, the event moves beyond traditional networking to create space for meaningful connection through movement, reflection, and shared experience.

Set along the riverfront at Graco Park in Minneapolis, this indoor/outdoor gathering invites guests into a thoughtfully curated evening that begins with music, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and intentional arrival experiences designed to help attendees settle in and connect.

The program then transitions into a guided movement session led by Emily DeLay of AllJoy Fitness (no fitness requirements!), accompanied by a live DJ set from Effy Kawira. Throughout the evening, participants are invited into interactive reflection prompts and activities that spark conversation, deepen self-awareness, and encourage genuine connection across the room.

WILD is intentionally designed to leave guests feeling energized, grounded, and connected to themselves, and to a growing community of women across Minnesota's food, agriculture, and entrepreneurial ecosystems. It is a refreshing alternative to traditional networking events, centered on presence, movement, and shared experience. Wear your brightest summer colors!

Curious whether your food product could land on a school menu? Join us for a practical virtual session featuring Angela Richey from Minneapolis Public Schools as she demystifies the process of getting products into K-12 breakfast and lunch programs.

Through real-world case studies, attendees will learn how Minnesota brands like Hoyo Sambusa, Amazing Chickpea, and Seven Sundays successfully navigated school nutrition requirements and procurement processes. Angela will walk through the key nutritional, regulatory, packaging, and documentation standards that determine whether a product qualifies for school meal programs, while also sharing insights into the types of products schools are actively seeking.

Whether you're a food maker, CPG entrepreneur, or ecosystem supporter, this session will provide valuable guidance on evaluating your product's fit for the K-12 channel and understanding the opportunities available within one of the state's largest institutional food markets. Participants will also learn how to connect with school nutrition leaders through a future one-on-one matchmaking opportunity.

Join Naturally Minnesota for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Solidify Manufacturing, a Minnesota-based food certified PET manufacturing company . By helping food and beverage companies reduce costs, improve logistics, and strengthen local supply chains, Solidify is helping shape the future of food and beverage manufacturing in Minnesota.

During this event, you will:

• See World-Class high-speed blow molding equipment in action.

• Learn how PET bottles are manufactured

• Connect with professionals across Minnesota's food and beverage ecosystem

• Explore how local packaging solutions are strengthening regional supply chains
  

This is a unique opportunity to experience a value-added local food packaging manufacturer while building meaningful connections with others shaping the future of Minnesota's food and manufacturing industries.

We hope to see you there!

Safety requirements for SQF:

• Closed toed shoes

• No sleeveless shirts

• Jewelry other than plain band rings not allowed in production areas

• Safety glasses, hairnets and beardnets provided

Special thanks to Karl Swee and the Solidify team for hosting this Naturally Minnesota event.

Join us for our next Founder Forum—bringing together Minnesota's food and beverage community for an afternoon of insight, connection, and real talk. This session will spotlight the evolving world of foodservice, featuring a founder panel and key takeaways from the National Restaurant Association Show.

Whether you're building, scaling, or simply exploring what's next in food, this is a space to learn from those in it every day.

Agenda:

2:00 – 2:15 PM | Arrive + Connect

2:15 – 2:30 PM | NRA Overview + Industry Context

2:30 – 3:15 PM | Founder Panel: Foodservice in Focus

3:15 – 3:30 PM | NRA Trends + Insights Recap

3:30 – 4:00 PM | Open Q&A with Foodservice Experts

Come ready to engage, ask questions, and connect with fellow founders and operators shaping Minnesota's food ecosystem.

Retail isn't a mystery. But most of what founders learn about it comes from the outside looking in.

This free session is different. You'll spend an hour with Kate LaBrosse — a CPG industry veteran who has spent 17 years working as a buyer, a broker, and a brand. She's been on every side of the table, and calls with her are one of the best places founders in this community get their questions answered.

What we'll cover:

• How retail actually works — and what buyers are really evaluating

• The most common mistakes early-stage brands make before they're ready to scale

• What CPG Academy offers founders who want to build their retail strategy with rigor

• A full overview of the Retail Launch Lab — Naturally Minnesota's cohort program for founders serious about getting into retail and staying there profitably

There will be time for live Q&A. Come with your questions.

This session is free. No fluff. Just real talk from someone who knows how this business works.

This is a virtual event hosted on Zoom. Registrants will receive a zoom link following their completed registration.

Naturally Minnesota invites you to join us for a Flash Happy Hour at PURIS, celebrating local connections, innovative Minnesota-made brands, and a milestone moment for one of our community partners. Hosted at PURIS, this relaxed, come‑and‑go gathering brings together food and beverage professionals for an evening of networking and vodka-forward cocktails and mocktails inspired by PURIS's 40th Anniversary Vodka. Drinks for the evening highlight creative collaboration with standout Minnesota beverage brands.

We're excited to feature the following local partners behind the bar:

Bizzy Cold Brew, whose espresso cold brew and shots will be used to create espresso martinis

So Good So You, whose functional wellness shots will be incorporated into a selection of vodka-based cocktails and mocktails, offering vibrant, flavor-forward options with both spirited and non-alcoholic choices

Willa's, providing their creamy oat milk for a plant-based take on a classic White Russian — reimagined as the "Dudette"

Whether you're looking to connect with fellow Naturally Minnesota members, celebrate PURIS's 40-year milestone, or experience how local brands collaborate behind the glass, this Flash Happy Hour is a great way to celebrate our community.

This event is free to attend, with registration required through Naturally Minnesota. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a unique networking opportunity that connects local food entrepreneurs with expert resource providers, offering essential connections and knowledge crucial for building and sustaining your business.

Who should attend? This event is tailored for early-stage founders in the CPG space—whether you have an idea, are pre-revenue, sell at farmers markets, or have minimal retail presence.

Prepare by bringing your business questions. Think about areas like licensing, regulation, food safety, product development, packaging, labeling, marketing, finances, and more. The more specific your questions, the more valuable your interactions with our resource providers will be.

What to bring? Just yourself, though bringing note-taking materials and something to collect resources like business cards is recommended. If you have product samples or mockups of packaging, bring them along for feedback.

Additional details: Prior to the event, we'll send you a look book of all attending Resource Providers. Review it to prioritize your connections and make the most of your time.

Join us at NEON for an event that could make all the difference for your food business!

Headed to Expo West? So are we!

Join us for our 7th Annual Mingle at Expo West—bigger and better than ever. This year, we're excited to partner with Naturally Minnesota, Naturally Wisconsin, Naturally Chicago, and Naturally Colorado for four times the connections.

This gathering brings together the Midwest and Mountain Region food and beverage innovation community—founders, industry leaders, investors, retailers, and ecosystem supporters—for meaningful networking in the middle of the Expo West buzz. We especially encourage our Naturally "ex-pats" to join us!

📍 Where: Anaheim Convention Center -- 2nd-floor balcony outside the MN Alley (Katella Terrace), North Hall

🕓 When: Thursday, March 5 | 4:00–6:00 PM

Stop by for a break from the salty snack overload and enjoy hearty bites and beverages before heading into your evening plans.

Directions to Katella Terrace (aka 200-Level Balcony, North Hall):

Enter North Hall on the ground level and take the escalator up to the second floor, or cross over via the sky bridge from the Main ACC.

We can't wait to mingle with you!

Are you an entrepreneur looking to explore more options for funding your business?

Dive into this capital access education workshop that will cover the wide array of funding options that are appropriate for each stage of a company, from pre-revenue to over $1 Million. You'll have the chance to learn from industry experts, connect with local financing leaders, and take the next step to growing your natural product, tech, or agriculture-based business.

Lunch & Light Refreshments provided.

📍 Where: Sunrise Banks Corporate Office

🕓 When: Wednesday, February 25th | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Join Naturally Minnesota for our February Founders Forum—a welcoming, founder-first gathering designed to spark honest conversation and meaningful connection. This month, we're excited to welcome Simon Solis-Cohen, our reigning Naturally Rising Pitch Slam Champion and founder of Huxley, who will share his journey as a founder and the lessons he's learned along the way.

Following Simon's story, founders will come together in an interactive, peer-driven discussion to share challenges, exchange insights, and learn from one another. Whether you're navigating early-stage decisions, scaling your business, or simply looking to connect with others who "get it," Founders Forum offers a supportive space to workshop ideas, ask questions, and leave with practical takeaways—and new connections—to move your business forward.

Coffee and light snacks provided, and attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch.

Naturally Minnesota Presents: Holiday Happy Hour 2025✨

Join us for an evening of celebration, connection, and cheer as Naturally Minnesota hosts our annual Holiday Happy Hour — one of the most anticipated gatherings of the year for our state's vibrant food and ag community.

This year, this festive evening will bring together founders, investors, retailers, and industry professionals to toast the year's successes and to build on our Root for Good Campaign of fundraising $100,000. Join the fun of silent auction, raffle prizes, festive food and drinks, and of course the best networking in town.

Whether you're an emerging entrepreneur or a seasoned industry leader, this is your chance to connect, collaborate, and celebrate in style. Come ready to party in your best festive holiday attire! Come for the company, stay for the sparkle — and leave inspired to start the new year with fresh connections and renewed energy.

Event Highlights:

• Mix and mingle with hundreds of industry professionals and innovators

• Sip festive cocktails, enjoy seasonal bites, and compete in our silent auction

• Celebrate another standout year in Minnesota's natural products community, while supporting Naturally MN's Root for Good Campaign

Needworking creates power by turning help-seeking and generosity into a shared practice for skill-building. Each experience ensures participants leave with both value received and value given. In the room, we will strengthen connective tissue across generations, networks, cultures, and roles.

This interactive session, designed and led by Naturally Minnesota and The Hush Collaborative, combines honest conversation with skill-building exercises that help participants name what they need, articulate what they can offer, and practice exchanging resources in real time.

You'll walk away not just inspired, but better equipped to ask clearly, offer generously, and build the kind of community that sustains growth personally and professionally.

This event is open to anybody to register to attend, but is centered around the experience of female founders in CPG.

Agenda

• 4:00 - Arrival, light bites, and intentional mingling

• 4:20 - Salon-style small group conversation

• 5:10 - Needworking, the power of help-seeking and resource sharing

• 5:55 - Reflections

Facilitators:

• Lauren Buckley, Co-Founder, Moderator, & Narrative Strategist

• Kate Meehan, Co-Founder & Experience Facilitator

• Allie Fendrick, Co-Founder, Moderator, & Systems Strategist

Join us for a half-day deep dive into building and scaling beauty and bodycare brands. From navigating infrastructure and sales channels to understanding shifting consumer preferences, this event brings together founders, retailers, and industry experts to share hard-earned lessons and emerging insights. Whether you're just starting out or ready to scale, you'll leave with practical knowledge, fresh perspectives, and new connections to help grow your brand.

Join Naturally MN as we head out to the Thousand Hills Lifetime Grazed farm in Clearwater, MN and immerse yourselves into multi-species regenerative agriculture. We will be strolling through the pastures and woodlands learning all about rotationally grazed cattle, free-range pasture-raised chickens, pigs, and goats.

There will be a guided farm tour with a networking/socializing lunch at the farm's very own rustic lakeside pavilion. For lunch, Thousand Hills will be grilling up some of their delicious 100% grass fed beef products along with sides and beverages. We can't wait to see you out on the farm!

An exciting evening to celebrate conscious business!

Naturally Network proudly presents its national Naturally Rising competition show, where 11 of the brightest emerging CPG entrepreneurs from across the US will take the stage to pitch their innovative products and compelling visions. These regional finalists will compete for the crown on the national stage at Newtopia Now on Thursday, August 21, 2025! On top of that, Naturally Network will be awarding our first ConsciousCPG Awards during our judge deliberation period.

Join us to see the 11 regional Naturally Rising winners compete for the national title and celebrate the winners of the inaugural ConsciousCPG Awards!

Retail is evolving fast. From AI shopping assistants to social commerce and Gen Alpha's influence, the landscape is shifting. NIQ explores what's next for food and beverage—where innovation, personalization, and bold strategies lead the way. Discover key trends in omnichannel shopping, health-driven products, and emerging brand breakthroughs. Whether you're scaling online, testing retail media, or rethinking distribution, gain fresh insights and actionable ideas to stay ahead.

Join Naturally Minnesota, Naturally Chicago, Naturally Wisconsin, and NIQ for a data-driven webinar exploring the future of retail.

🌾 Get Your Hands Dirty with Naturally MN! 🌾

Join us on the farm at Big River Farms for a day of fresh air, sunshine, and getting your hands a little dirty as we roll up our sleeves and volunteer in the fields. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just farm-curious, this is your chance to connect with the land, meet awesome people, and support local sustainable agriculture.

🌻 This free event is open to all and no previous farm experience is required– come solo or bring a friend!

Let's dig in, do some good, and have a blast doing it. 🧤🌱

Help with:

• Bed prep/mulching

• Planting

• Weeding

• Stocking plants

• Installing row cover

Be sure to bring with you comfortable work clothing (long pants recommended), closed-toe shoes, hat, sunscreen, rain jacket, water, and any snacks you may need (snacks cannot be eaten while on the field)!

Minimum age is 18 for farming events.

Level Up Your Company's Influencer Marketing Game - Over Lunch!

Join Maccabee PR for a complimentary Lunch and Learn workshop designed to take your B2B or B2C influencer strategy to the next level.

During this interactive, 60-minute session, your marketing communications team will learn:

• Beyond the Basics: Advanced strategies for influencer identification and collaboration.

• Trend Forecasting: Capitalizing on the latest trends, including AI, shop-able live streams, and the rise of micro-influencers.

• Measurement of Optimization: Data-driven approaches to track performance and maximize results that will help you attain (and exceed) brand objectives.

• Omni-channel Integration: How to combine influencer marketing with publicity and media relations, event and experiential, social media and content curation.

• And yes, we will provide lunch. :)