The Greater Mankato Area: GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING RESOURCES

Mankato is a short 1-hour drive south of the Twin Cities. Rich in arts and recreation, Mankato was ranked 7th on the list of top ten "Dream Towns" nationwide by bizjournals.com. Mankato has a contiguous population area of 46,173. There is a trade area population of more than 300,000. The Greater Mankato area supports green initiatives through city, county, and independent business initiatives that strive to reduce the carbon footprint and move the area to greater sustainability. In 2007-2008, over 15,000 trees were purchased and planted through the Million Tree Project. Known for extensive woods and cycling trails, the communities' parks are actively being enhanced. Mankato also supports a thriving Farmer's Market and Community Garden.

Businesses

Habitat ReStore

Mankato, MN, 507-388-6682

habitatrestoremankato.org/

The Habitat ReStore supports Habitat for Humanity of South Central Minnesota by reselling new and gently used building materials. Since it opened in June 2007, over 200 tons of building materials have been saved from landfills.

Naturally Bamboo

April Femrite, Owner/Designer

800-987-3309

naturallybambooclothing.com

Naturally Bamboo^TM is a manufacturer of eco-friendly clothing and accessories made from bamboo fiber. Their ethical fashion is made by local Minnesota sewing organizations and sold both online and at retail locations.

Thrift Stores

The Salvation Army 507-345-7074

The Neighborhood 507-625-7228

MRCI 507-388-3867

Again 507-345-2409

Family Thrift 507-385-1455

Community Organizations

Envision 2020

507-345-4519, envision-2020.com

Envisioning a desired future for the Greater Mankato region, 400 citizens provided inputs for community betterment goals. Their visionary plan has been organized into six key performance areas and identified a total of 34 goals, many of which center around green initiatives.

Food

Amboy Cottage Café

Amboy, MN, 507-674-3123

amboycottagecafe.com

Half an hour south of Mankato on 169, the Cottage cooks from scratch using local meats, dairy and produce. The locally grown and milled pancakes are a must-try!

Coffee Hag

Mankato, MN, 507-387-5533

Established in 1992, the Coffee Hag is the oldest coffee shop in Mankato. All coffees and most teas are organic and fair trade. Their all-vegetarian menu features mostly organic and locally grown produce.

Contessa Fine Dining

Mankato, MN, 507-625-5713

contessafinedine.com

An upscale dining experience with full bar service and coffee shop, Contessa offers an ever-changing banquet of contemporary organic global cuisine flavored by a healthy, distinctly Northern Mediterranean influence.

Farmers Market, 507-420-8711

mankatofarmersmarket.com

Celebrating its 33rd year in 2009, all of the products sold at the Mankato Farmers' Market are grown or created within a 40-mile radius of Mankato. The farmer's market is open seasonally with Saturday, Tuesday, and Thursday hours.

Good Counsel Community Garden

Mankato, MN

507-389-4200, ssndmankato.org

School Sisters of Notre Dame have been part of Mankato since 1865. The sisters' community garden enables those without access to agricultural land to grow fresh produce. Utilized by many immigrant communities, the garden offers education on organic gardening, food preservation, and composting. Children's programs such as Little Sprouts, Gardening for Preschoolers, and a Kids' Peace Garden are also featured.

Morgan Creek Vineyards

New Ulm, MN, 507-947-3547

morgancreekvineyards.com

Morgan Creek Vineyards enjoyed its first vintage season, and the opening of Minnesota's only underground winery in the fall of 1998. Consider selecting one of their many wines created from cold-hardy MN grapes developed at the U of M.

River Rock Coffee

St. Peter, MN, 507-931-1540

Locally owned and operated, the River Rock's menu focuses on locally grown, often organic, fresh foods. Organic coffees, teas, and milk are all served in compostable to-go cups.

St. Peter Food Co Op

St. Peter, MN

507-934-4880, stpeterfood.coop

For more than 25 years, the co-op has been committed to offering natural, organic, fair trade, and locally-produced food.

Twin Rivers Center for the Arts & Emy Frentz Arts Guild

523 South Second St., Mankato

507-387-1008, twinriversarts.org

Twin Rivers Center for the Arts (TRCA) is an information hub for arts and culture in the Greater Mankato area. A nonprofit organization that advocates for the arts, it connects people to arts and culture and creates partnerships between the business, cultural, and academic communities.

Recreation

The Greater Mankato Convention and Visitors Bureau

Mankato, MN, 507-385-6660

greatermankato.com/visitors-outdoorrec.php

The Chamber of Commerce website details six extensive trail systems, and 13 city and county parks in the Mankato area.

Snow tubing in Greater Mankato can be an exciting winter activity for you and the whole family.