Learn about Mill City Farmers Market’s long-time meat vendor
Sunshine Harvest Farm is a 4th-generation family farm in Webster, Minnesota–about 40 miles south of Minneapolis. Owner Mike Braucher, his son Brandon, his brother Patrick and neighbor Sharron bring a variety of cuts of beef, bison, lamb, pork, chicken and eggs to our market year-round. The Braucher’s beef and lamb are 100% grass fed, including hay in the winter. Their pasture-raised chickens and hogs are fed non-GMO corn, peas, beans, alfalfa, kelp & minerals (when they’re not eating grass and bugs!). Like all of Mill City’s vendors, Sunshine Harvest Farm never uses antibiotics, hormones, or chemicals on any of their animals, believing in sustainable farming and management-intensive grazing on pastures.
“Our passion of farming and love of good food is what helped us create our business,” explains Mike. “We work to bring the highest quality food from our farm to your table. As we go through our work day we think about our patrons by name, and it is a reminder to us of how important our work truly is.”
Mike with a loyal market shopper
Market sales really are an important part of the Braucher’s business model. Ninety percent of their sales come from direct-to-consumer retail, including their popular meat CSA and sales at the Mill City and Kingfield farmers markets. The remaining ten percent comes from wholesale and sales to local restaurants (has anyone tried the “spoon burger” at spoonriver restaurant?).
“We apply healthy farming & business practices so we can develop strong relationships with customers, family, and friends who count on us for safe, clean, sustainable and nutritious food,” Mike adds.
Even though the Super Bowl won’t be in town this year, you can still bring local flare to your party by picking up a few things at Mill City’s indoor Winter Market on Saturday, January 26. In addition to MN-grown carrots, radishes, cheeses and salami for crudité platters, get the local ingredients you need for the perfect Minnesota appetizer: Wild Rice Meatballs–including grass-fed beef or bison from Sunshine Harvest Farm.
Our Winter Market will be open this Saturday, January 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the Mill City Museum (704 S. 2nd St. Minneapolis 55401). No admission required. Click here to learn more about our winter markets.
Cooking Samin Nosrat’s Buttermilk Chicken from ‘Salt, Fat, Acid Heat’? Can’t live without the Braucher’s black pepper bacon? Picking up your weekly supply of eggs? Let us know what’s on your grocery list for Saturday’s market in the comments!