Bite Of Minnesota: Kick Cancer - Buy Jam

When I started immersing myself in the Twin Cities food community almost a decade ago, I was curious what local makers were creating and how they were getting their product to market. For some, farmers markets served as the best exposure yet the season was typically limited to summer. Then, the local community started to embrace winter markets and the selling season expanded year-round. Lucky for us, we as consumers are benefiting from that extended selling season too! 

One of the local makers I met early on was Zoie Glass from Lucille's Kitchen Garden. Back and 2007, she and her wife, Amy, were selling their boldly flavored jams at the Mill City Farmers Market and Zoie's contagious smile and positive energy was contagious. With flavors like ginger-pear and blueberry pepper, it wasn't long until they started to get shelf space in local stores and even received national exposure in 2011 when MN Mead Jelly was named "Best in Condiments" by Cooking Light magazine.

However, as a small business, it's hard to maintain momentum when faced with a health challenge like cancer. Zoie's wife and business partner, Amy, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Stage IV breast cancer and despite chemotherapy treatments, it has spread to her lung and lymph nodes. In an effort to keep up with medical costs and maintain health insurance, they need to keep their business going by selling more jam. 

Zoie, in partnership with Midwest Pantry (another business she co-founded), has gone back to her farmers market roots and organized several Kick Cancer - Buy Jam events where you can help Amy by buying jam, t-shirts, and other local products. The Northeast Farmers Market, Linden Hills Farmers Markets, and Mill City Farmers Market all held events this fall while the Shop Small Holiday Market takes their turns late November, just in time to stock up for holiday gifts.

Show your support at the next event:

Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Shop Small Holiday Market
3301 Silver Lake Road NE #B, 
St. Anthony Village, Minneapolis