Untiedt’s Farm Staff Retreat: How ICA Partners Invest in our Mission
On Friday, the ICA staff took a trip to visit the Untiedt’s Farm. We were able to get a tractor ride through the entire property, including the apple orchard! Jerry, the owner of Untiedt’s Farm, went into specific details about each plant and the process of farming each one. With over 50 different vegetables and fruits, there were no shortage of fun facts and explanations of intricate farming techniques. Did you know that Untiedt’s Farm produces all the corn for the Minnesota State Fair? How cool!
This farm is something special. Each piece of produce is picked by hand, carefully inspected to make sure the customer is getting the highest quality food. With over 100 workers on the farm during the season, Untiedt’s Farm customers and ICA clients can know confidently that their food was handled with care. Our partnership with Untiedt’s Farm started in November 2024 and we’ve had thousands of pounds of their produce come through our food shelf! With limited availability to garden themselves, volunteers hear frequently that people appreciate the extensive variety of locally grown options.
According to the 2024 Statewide Hunger Study, 1 in 5 Minnesota households experienced food insecurity – an increase from 1 in 6 in 2023. Healthy Eating Index scores have been consistently low in studies among people with low income or facing food insecurity (Litton MM, Beavers AW., 2021).
Partnerships with farms like Untiedt’s give our community the chance to eat fresh fruits and vegetables more often. Clients at ICA can take 3 pounds of fresh produce per person with different varieties each time they visit. The ICA staff and community is so grateful to work Untiedt’s Farm!
Do you have your own backyard garden with extra fruits and vegetables from this season? Donate it to ICA! We always welcome fresh produce donations.