Knowlan’s Super Markets Wins Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year Award Fifth Year in a Row

April 26, 2016 – Vadnais Heights, MN –  The Minnesota Grown Program, in conjunction with the Minnesota Grocers Association, has named Knowlan’s Super Markets a 2016 Retailer of the Year. This marks the fifth consecutive year the Minnesota grocer has been chosen for the award, announced today at a special luncheon sponsored by the Minnesota Grocers Association.

Knowlan’s operates six Festival Foods stores and two Knowlan’s Fresh Foods Stores in the Twin Cities metro area. The organization is unique in its industry for being family-owned and operated by Minnesota native Lauri Youngquist, its President and CEO.  Knowlan’s has been dedicated to supporting local farmers and other food producers since it started selling locally grown food products in 1905.

“To be given this kind of recognition five years running is a reflection of our mission to offer only the best grocery products for our customers,” said Knowlan’s CEO Lauri Youngquist. “We’ve been dedicated to Minnesota food producers for more than 100 years so locally grown is not a trendy marketing term for our grocery stores. It’s a way of doing business that has been integral to our success for the past century.”

The Retailer of the Year award is given to four retailers who excel at promoting Minnesota foods and focus on local food sources and suppliers. The entrants are judged on several criteria, including how well they use Minnesota Grown displays to promote local food, the variety of local foods offered and the number of local producers whose products are sold.

Knowlan’s has won the award in the retail group of nine stores or less every year since 2012.

About Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc.:  Festival Foods stores in St. Paul and Minneapolis are owned by Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc. The company, based in Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, owns six Festival Foods stores and two Knowlan’s Fresh Foods stores. Knowlan’s Super Markets, Inc. is a privately held company founded in 1905. Twin Cities native Lauri Youngquist, President and CEO, currently owns and operates the chain. Younquist’s sister, Marie Arthun, is also an owner.  More information is available at FestivalFoods.net

About Minnesota Grown: The Minnesota Grown Program is a partnership between the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and producers of livestock and specialty crops in Minnesota. Founded 25 year ago, Minnesota Grown publishes an annual Minnesota Grown Directory to help consumers find retailers, farmer’s markets and producers that offer locally raised and grown food. More information is available at www.minnesotagrown.com.