Introducing Erin Haefele of the Green Scene in Walker, Minnesota
MARCH IS WOMEN'S MONTH AND WE ARE FEATURING WOMEN DOING INCREDIBLE WORK IN MINNESOTA. THIS WEEK WE ARE THRILLED TO INTRODUCE YOU TO ERIN HAEFELE.
Several years ago we started working with the Green Scene in Walker, MN to cater events at Deep Portage Learning Center. She has now been catering all our events in the area for years and we are always thrilled by the taste, presentation, quality, and nourishing meals she provides. We never give her a menu, haha! We simply ask for nourishing food she loves and she goes hog wild! Her food is imaginative, beautiful, and delicious. We feel so fortunate to be able to work with such a thoughtful chef in outstate MN! Now Bryana leads classes at the brand new space she opened in Walker, MN. We are thrilled to share a bit more about Erin here.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My name is Erin Haefele. I was born in Bemidji, grew up between Walker and the suburbs of Minneapolis. I have a love of creating food and nourishing others. I am a mother of two girls ages 19 and 16. I am married to a talented and incredibly supportive husband, Ryan. We have two yellow labs, Alex and Wes. I started and own a food market, the Green Scene in Walker, that also houses a catering company, our newly added restaurant/cocktail bar as well as the weekly farmers market in Walker, MN.
Meet Erin Haefele, the woman behind the Green Scene in Walker, MN. Erin has been catering all Boreal Bliss events in the Walker area for several years. We adore working with her and enjoying her nourishing, organic, food!
Can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love of cooking, food and specifically, fruit and vegetables is literally rooted in my youth when I spent countless hours in my grandpa’s garden and hanging out with him in the kitchen. I grew up in a family where food was the center of everything they did. Dinner was always at a table with a home-cooked meal.
After graduating from culinary school in Wisconsin, I began working with a couple of accomplished chefs. A few years later my career took a turn as I went from the kitchen to sales, selling restaurant equipment and supplies while continuing to cater on the side. I did a lot of small dinner parties at people’s homes — whatever I could do to stay cooking, because when you love to cook you have to have a place to put all this food.
After a few years in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I moved to St. Paul, Minnesota. One evening, I was preparing for a dinner party, and I noticed how the flavor seemed to be disappearing from vegetables bought in big box stores. A friend told me try the produce at a nearby coop. I was hooked from the first bite of an organic banana. It was that moment that I realized I needed to source produce that grown with passion to preserve the flavor.
Once I had my first child, I moved back to Walker to be closer to family. It became difficult to source locally grown or organically grown produce. It was then that a dear friend and I decided to start driving to any farmers markets, which were often 30 plus miles away, to find a distributor to purchase locally and organically grown produce. We set up shop in my garage and put together weekly produce boxes along with descriptions and cooking instructions. Once a week, for 3 hours, this garage was our little food haven. We offered organic and local produce, locally sourced eggs, and a small selection of organic groceries.
After about 4 years of offering the weekly produce boxes out of the garage, the decision was made to go brick and mortar. In 2011, The Green Scene Market officially opened a retail shop in Walker.
What aspect of your business are you most proud of?
I am most proud of starting a weekly farmers and crafters market in Walker. There is incredible talent in our neck of the woods! Every farmers market I am inspired by what these talented, passionate vendors can grow and create. It is my favorite day of the week at work!
Can you tell us about some obstacles you've had to overcome?
I was naive when we opened our brick and mortar store. Just because I had a passion for providing organic, local foods, doesn't mean I could run a business. We struggled and still often do, with budgets, city ordinances, licensing, marketing, accounting, managing, and every thing else that goes into running a business.
What is your favorite thing about offering healthy, organic, food in outstate MN?
One of my favorite things about having our market is the appreciation from our customers!
The Weekly Farmer’s Market at the Green Scene in Walker, MN.
What is your favorite part about partnering with Boreal Bliss and Northern Yoga and Wellness?
One of my favorite things about partnering with Boreal Bliss is gives me an opportunity to prepare my personal favorite foods! Boreal Bliss is generous with allowing us creative freedom to prepare the meals for the retreats.
How can we support you?
Your support has been continual for many years! I have enjoyed watching Boreal Bliss grow right along side of Green Scene.
Green Scene’s beautiful new dining space!
Want to learn more about opportunities to retreat with us this summer? Check it out here!
Two incredible opportunities to retreat with us this summer. Won’t you join us?
