Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Pam McCurdy, 651-757-2559, pamela.mccurdy@state.mn.us St. Paul, Minn. -- There's always so much to see and do at the Eco Experience and this year, there's so much to taste as well. The 2009 Eco Experience has added new food exhibits, including a Countryside Market featuring organic, Minnesota-grown items for sale. New this year: Peace Coffee is excited to unveil the ultimate cheese curd fat-burner - a custom-built, bicycle-powered coffee grinder. Pedal power alone spins the burrs of this grinder, producing the perfect grind for a delicious cup of Guatemalan dark roast on the spot. Fairgoers can explore the global and local sides of the coffee business, learn how many trees the human-powered bike delivery trailer saved while hauling beans to local accounts, or get a quick, carbon-free tour of coffee growers with Map My Beans, an interactive guide to the faces behind your morning cup. Once caffeinated, fairgoers can head outside to the Countryside Market. This new attraction, presented by Renewing the Countryside and HealthPartners, will sell locally grown, organic foods, such as apples, watermelons, maple syrup soda, and Caprese salad. The salad, an on-a-stick creation, is made of fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes and basil, splashed with a bit of balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Also new this year is the Backyard Harvest Garden where fairgoers can see how to grow their own food in a small space. Returning this year are the popular food demonstrations, presented by Whole Foods, and theme days. These free demonstrations will be given each day by local chefs and food experts: 10:30 a.m.- Kid-friendly Foods 12:00 noon - Seasonal Soups and Salads 2:00 p.m. - Eating Local on a Budget 3:30 p.m. - Think Global, Eat Local About the Eco Experience: A partnership between the Minnesota State Fair, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and dozens of organizations and businesses across the state, the Eco Experience has become the second most popular exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair. The Eco Experience is the largest environmental event of its kind in the country in the last two decades. Since 2006 over one million visitors have attended the 25,000-square-foot exhibit to learn more about clean water, saving energy, climate change, healthy local food, transportation, green building and remodeling, and other ways to lead more eco-friendly lives. Discover easy and uniquely Minnesota ways to go greener in your daily routine by exploring cutting-edge green technologies and having fun with interactive displays, kids activities, performances and more. Look for more information and schedules at www.ecoexperience.org.