Blues Best Mushrooms
Blues Best Mushrooms is a family-owned specialty mushroom company in Eastern Iowa that supplies fresh mushrooms to the Co-op including Shitake, Oyster, and Lion's Mane.
Vinton, IA
Type: Producer
Produces: Skincare
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA
Miles from Coop: 1
Made from organic tallow sourced from grass-fed cows in Eastern Iowa (or from the Co-op!), Gray Toad Tallow Balm is pure and natural nourishment for all skin types.
Five years ago, Sharon's son began to get red patches on his legs and she developed red, dry patches on her face. She wanted the most natural remedy without side effects that can come from lotions and creams, even organic ones. After researching, she found tallow balm and began making it from locally sourced animals.
"By the time we saw our doctor two weeks later I had to point out where the patches had been and then cleared up with the tallow balm. It has since been used by friends and family to soothe eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, saddle sores from cycling, calluses, sunburns, chapped lips and more! "

Tallow balm is a skincare product made from rendered animal fat. Gray Toad Tallow uses organic beef tallow, often sourced right from New Pi's Meat Department! Tallow's rich composition of vitamins A, D, E, and K offer unique nourishing properties for the skin, with a lipid profile that mimics our skin.
Gray Toad Tallow can be used like a traditional moisturizer. Apply a small amount to clean, dry skin and massage gently. It can also be used as a targeted treatment for dry patches, chapped lips, or as an overnight mask for intensified hydration. It is safe for use on face and body, and suitable for children.
Checkout these great products from Gray Toad Tallow
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Blues Best Mushrooms is a family-owned specialty mushroom company in Eastern Iowa that supplies fresh mushrooms to the Co-op including Shitake, Oyster, and Lion's Mane.
Vinton, IA
In 2020, Chris James turned to coffee roasting and never looked back. His flavorful brews and charming bike deliveries with his pug Bugsy have made his brand a local favorite.
West Des Moines, Iowa
Their Heluka® breed and method of farming focuses on keeping their hogs stress-free: raising them with compassion, plenty of access to spacious bedded areas and sunshine, vegetarian feed, and no antibiotics or hormones.
Le Mars, Iowa
Eco Lips is deeply connected with nature, applying what we know about beneficial organic ingredients to better people’s lives.
Marion, IA
Since 2014, Lion Bridge Brewing Company has produced beers that are delicious, complex, and most importantly, approachable, and highly drinkable.
Cedar Rapids
Big Timber Maple has been producing certified organic maple syrup since 2000. What began as a hobby quickly grew into a thriving family business, driven by a passion for quality and tradition.
Epworth, Iowa
They have a robust pick-your-own apple business at the farm, where they also make apple cider, apple turnovers, and apple cider donuts, and they grow pumpkins. What more could you ask for?
Iowa City, IA
"We’re always coming up with new flavors through using different fermenting methods, added natural flavorings, and aging techniques. If we land on something great, there’s nothing stopping us now from throwing it into some cans and sharing it with everyone."
Fairfield, IA