The following article by Kathy Gerhardt was first published in the August/September 2011 Rollin’ Oats Journal.

Christine Wheeler is not a native Minnesotan, but it is clear that life in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” agrees with her. Big life milestones began happening for her, in this state, in the early 1990’s.

“I was doing a marketing internship at General Mills between my two years at Wharton business school.

These refreshing beverages bill themselves as “the world’s first adult soft drinks,” and since they’re based on original recipes that were first used by Thomas Fentiman in 1905, we suppose they’re right! And right now, you can order a Fentiman’s ice cream float at the deli counter—a fantastic (somewhat) grown-up summertime treat.

The Ginger Beer, Curiosity Cola, and Victorian Lemonade are hits with the co-op’s staff already—try the Dandelion and Burdock, Shandy or Tonic Water for a refreshing change of pace. Sold in four-packs or singles in the deli aisle.

The chefs of Green Mill Restaurant in Uptown are sharing their secret sauces with us! Five authentic Italian sauces. Buffalo wing sauce, too. Vegetarians beware, though, the marinara variety unexpectedly contains chicken stock.

Only 90 calories per serving; high in protein, calcium & live probiotics. Mango, Pomegranate, Strawberry or Original.

We’ve carried Lucini’s excellent olive oil and outstanding pasta sauce for a while now, so it was an easy choice to add this line of vinagrette salad dressings. Lucini Italia uses all natural ingredients to create their Tuscan Balsamic & Extra Virgin Vinagrette; Fig and Walnut Savory Balsamic; Bold Parmesan and Garlic and other flavors. Here’s a great recipe for a Shrimp Caesar Salad using their Parmesan and Garlic dressing—mangia!

Richard Flax has been making fantastic barbecue sauce for nearly 20 years—and bottling it for just the past several. The former owner of Riche’s Kicken Kitchen Cafe in Minneapolis’s Corcoran neighborhood has perfected his “down under” recipe, and we’re thrilled to add another great local product to our grocery lineup.

Richard’s sauces have won several awards, including a First Place in the Big Island BBQ Contest in Albert Lea this August for his Blackberry Chipotle BBQ Sauce and a Second Place at the 2008 American Royal BBQ Sauce Contest in Kansas City for the Rich and Spicy Sauce.

Yet another great Minnesota made product, Uncle Pete’s Sweet and Spicy Mustard comes from just north of St. Cloud, and yes, there really was an Uncle Pete! This unique Polish style mustard is his secret recipe, handed down from father to son, and now available at Linden Hills Co-op to enhance your summer grilling and entertaining.

We like it with Prairie Breeze cheese, but you should also check Uncle Pete’s website for recipes and serving ideas.

We’re very happy to bring you another wonderful LOCAL product: Whole Grain Milling Company has several fabulous pancake, baking, and cereal mixes we’re now offering in the grocery aisle. Made in Welcome, Minnesota by Lin and Doug Hilgendorf.