Soup is always on, thanks to cottage foods producer
Senssue Vang has worked at a natural foods store and thought it would be nice to someday have his own tasty treat on store shelves. But selling a product at the St. Paul Farmers Market as a cottage foods producer is more realistic for him for right now.
Only non-potentially hazardous foods that don’t require refrigeration for safety are allowed as cottage foods, and food safety training is required.
Vang’s fiery hot soup mix, “Kunia,” is made from freeze-dried herbs and spices. Inspired by his mom and family, it’s perfect for “busy individuals who like a little bit of spice.”
“I went through the U of M Extension cottage food license training,” said Vang. “They did a great job showing me how to dry the goods, how to keep people safe and how to make sure there are no foodborne illnesses. I’m able to serve everyone, thanks to the U of M!”
Highlights
- The Community Mentorship for Financial Capability program co-created age-appropriate finance workshops for girls in grades 5-12 with S.H.I.N.E, headquartered in St. Paul.
- RSDP impact: With help from a CERTs Seed Grant, Frogtown residents will have better access to energy savings information from a neighborhood newsletter promoting clean energy opportunities; “FrogLab” educational workshops for kids; and energy activities at Frogtown Green’s annual “Climate Carnival.”
- U of M Farm Family of the Year: Betty's Business (2026)
- 4-H youth of all ages celebrated Pi Day (3.14, or March 14) with a Pi Day Camp at the Maplewood Nature Center. Youth combined arts and math, making their own small hand pies and creating arts and crafts focused on the mathematically significant number Pi.
- Minnesota Master Naturalist training: Big Rivers, Big Woods biome and Prairies and Potholes biome (St. Paul)
- SuperShelf locations: Department of Indian Work, Interfaith Action Greater Saint Paul, Neighborhood House at the Wellstone Center, White Bear Area Food Shelf
- The Climate Adaptation Partnership is developing new resources on future groundwater and soil moisture conditions for Ramsey County based on long-term precipitation changes. This information will allow communities to weigh issues like proposed data centers and future drinking water availability using the best available science
Ramsey County office
Extension has 14 regional offices supporting all 87 counties in Minnesota.
Ramsey County partners with Extension to deliver practical education and research you can use at home, at work and in your community. More about Extension in our county.
About the Minnesota 87 project
Spend time in any Minnesota county, and you will almost certainly encounter University of Minnesota Extension. Our faculty and staff, volunteers, participants, alumni and partners are woven into the fabric of rural, urban and suburban Minnesota life. This project showcases Extension in action through photos, stories and a sampling of the many ways Extension has touched the lives of people in every county.