Rare Bird Soap Shop
Wende Fugate specializes in small-batch vegan soaps and skincare products free from sulfates, parabens, and preservatives.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Sobaski's Pork
Type: Farm
Produces: Pork
Location: Washington, IA
Miles from Coop: 35
Meet Aaron Sobaski and his family:
"After college, I worked at a confinement pig farm," Aaron explains. "I was sick all the time," he recalls, "and I wasn’t happy."
"I decided I was going to raise pigs my way – and I would never go back. It truly bothers me to drive past hog confinements that do not allow the pigs to have access to do what a pig wants and is supposed to do."
Aaron’s pigs have:
"Plenty of room to run, root around, dig holes, and go outside, and they just don’t get sick – they’re overall healthy pigs."
A secret:
Confinement pig farmers order pigs from Aaron, because they’re the kind of meat they actually want to eat. It’s just got a different flavor.
"It is labor intensive,” Aaron notes, “but it’s definitely worth it."
Other Local Producers
Be sure to check out these others great local producers!
Jefferson County Ciderworks
"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
Backpocket Brewing
Jake Simmons set out to make full flavored, sessional, go-to beers.
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Larry Schultz Organic Farm
“They have that old-fashioned flavor, the way turkeys used to taste. I think you’ll agree there isn’t a more tasty bird around!”
Owatonna, MN
Echollective Farm & CSA
Echollective Farm feels more like a family than a business. Members of this collective garden and CSA make their decisions gathered around the kitchen table.
Mechanicsville, IA
Tiny But Mighty Popcorn
This is the most flavorful popcorn we’ve tasted – and its hulls explode so they don’t get stuck in your teeth.
Shellsburg, IA
Crane Creek Farms
Jeff and Jesse Eichenberger are sugaring the old fashioned way, with wholesome-looking metal taps and pails on each tree they empty every day the sap flows.
Lawler, IA
Urban Greens
Stop by your Co-op to try out the new Lettuce Medley or Bold & Spicy Salad Mix from Urban Greens
Iowa City, IA