RECURRING Culinary Spotlight

Starting a business is no easy task. Starting a food business and getting in local retailer coolers is an even more daunting task. From labeling nutritional information to branding, everything plays a part in a retailer’s decision to put your product in their store. Butter Creations by Anne started by targeting local retailers that fit their target market. Red Silo was the first to carry their products locally, followed by SCHEELS Home and Hardware. Baker Garden and Gift and Breadsmith filled out their local boutique retailers. Now, you can find Butter Creations by Anne at Hornbacher’s and Cash Wise with new flavors being introduced regularly.

Another outlet that has really helped them grow has been being a Pride of Dakota member. From showcase events to meeting other vendors and hearing their stories, it has helped Anne and Adam take their honey butter business further. Now they have expanded to offering fundraising opportunities for school and youth groups as well as seeking out retailers in every larger community within the state.

So, swing on by any of the following locations and grab yourself a jar or two or three. Honey butter makes a wonderful gift and has so many uses. As a bonus, you know it was made locally with great care and passion by two wonderful people. Where can you find Butter Creations by Anne Honey Butter?

You can order online through their website:

buttercreationsbyanne.com

Fargo-Moorhead Area: Scheels Home and Hardware, Breadsmith, Baker Garden & Gift, Hornbacher’s. Within the last month, their products were introduced into Cash Wise and Family Fare on 25th street and 32nd avenue.

North Dakota & Minnesota: Grand Forks, Grafton, Jamestown, Thief River Falls, Park Rapids (Hugo’s grocery stores), Bismarck and Mandan (Dan’s Supermarket stores), Detroit Lakes, Perham, Dickinson, Steele, Rugby, Hawley.

Kasta

As we keep things local and fashion-infused for this issue, we can’t wait to introduce you to kasta here in Fargo-Moorhead! We’ve loved their clean, minimalist beautiful jewelry and the creative duo behind it - Kelly & Jessie.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Well, I grew up in Washington, D.C., and moved to North Dakota about five years ago. My background is in the arts. Performing arts, culinary arts, etc. I’ve known for years that I wanted to create a successful business model for myself, my family and my community. Now that I’ve done that, to be honest, I don’t have time for a lot of hobbies. My dream is actively coming true, so I try to focus most of my attention on that. I do enjoy trying new foods though, as well as watching good documentaries. But mostly, I’m learning about business and experimenting with new flavors and ideas.

What you create under Uncle Charlie's Gourmet Snacks?

Uncle Charlie’s Gourmet Snacks makes five flavors (Banana Split, Brownie Truffle, Cotton Candy, Orange Creamsicle and Red Velvet) of a gourmet spin on what is known regionally as “puppy chow.” We start with rice squares, coat them in gourmet chocolates and our proprietary blend of flavors, then toss them in powdered sugar. Each batch is handmade right here in Fargo and we take great pride in that. We are also releasing a line of Charlie’s Chocolate Crunch Bars this fall 2021; they’re going to knock your socks off!

Tell us where your name came from?

Kelly: I was born and raised in Minnesota but now live across the river in Fargo with my husband, two young daughters and our ragdoll named Princess Fluffy Marshmallow.

I have worked in the senior care field for over 15 years in senior housing, hospice and homecare all while making and selling my artistic creations online, in coffee shops and boutiques. I love color and how it shifts a moment or a mood. Visitors to my home are welcomed by a bright yellow door and lots of bold tones.

I joke that artwork is my therapy. My friends and family will tell you that I'm most happy when I'm creating something, and my hands are full of paint. People have always asked me how I got to be so creative, and I like to tell them that I ate glue as a kid.

Jessie: I live in Moorhead, Minn., with my husband, our high school-aged son and a variety of pets. We also have a daughter in college. I work full-time running the histology lab for NDSU’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab.

I am passionate about home design, DIY everything, woodworking, blogging, painting and refinishing, home remodeling and basically anything that involves building and creativity.

Over the last 10 years my wood and furniture designs through my business, deuglied designs, have been featured in local boutiques and publications and even won