Why Minnesota?
Minnesota is rich in food. Its natural resources, fertile soil, and plenty of water have helped Minnesotans find, grow, harvest, manufacture, and transport food for generations.
As historian Jeff Kolnick argues, agriculture itself "has played a dramatic role in shaping Minnesota." Food has contributed to the growth of multiple industries in the state. And traditional foods have also shaped individual and collective identities of Minnesota's peoples.
Overall, food is essential to our lives. And it is central to the story of Minnesota.
Food not only sustains life but also enriches us in many ways. It warms us on cold, dreary days, entices us with its many aromas, and provides endless variety to the everyday world. Food is also woven into the fabric of our Nation, our culture, our institutions, and our families.
From the Growing a Nation timeline and curriculum
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