25 Things to Do Before We Turn 25

We’re turning 25 next year! Before the big day comes around, here are 25 things we want to cross off our list as an agency. While some are pretty specific, a few could come to life in many different ways. Stay tuned for more details throughout the year!

  1. Host our first large-scale event
  2. Learn and grow as a company
  3. Create an inspiring creative space
  4. Roll out Traction: EOS to our whole company
  5. Host a food drive
  6. Volunteer 100 hours
  7. Complete a race for charity
  8. Expand our composting process
  9. Go for a trash walk (see: plogging)
  10. Explore our neighborhood
  11. Spend a summer day together
  12. Do something challenging
  13. Explore the outdoors more
  14. Bring-our-dog-to-work day
  15. Embrace Minnesotan winters
  16. Get crafty together
  17. Learn something new
  18. Get competitive
  19. Expand our taste palate
  20. Embrace our INternal talents
  21. Take time for ourselves
  22. 25 Days of Meditation
  23. 25 Days of Push-Ups
  24. Hydration challenge
  25. Host a 25th Anniversary Celebration!

Follow along on social as we conquer this list!

10 Ways to Make an Impact this Earth Day (and every other day, too!)

At IN Food, we think it’s important to contribute to the health of our planet. A little can go a long way, if we all put in some effort. Sharing our knowledge and working together, these ideas can help reduce our carbon footprint. Please, join us in making a difference for our planet this Earth Day. We only have one, after all.

  1. Bike to work: As you know, cars and buses need fuel to run and bikes do not. Not only are you reducing carbon emissions when you bike, you’re getting exercise as well. Win, win. Don’t have a bike? Try out Minneapolis’ shared bike system, Nice Ride! Here at IN, we’re proud to say 33% of our employees regularly commute to work on bike.
  2. Carpool or bus: If you are ride sharing, you are also cutting down carbon emissions. Plus, you’d be surprised at how quick you can zip through the carpool lane and how many more pages of a book you’re able to catch up during a commute. Cross your fingers that Minneapolis will get on board with UberPool or shared rides through Lyft in the near future.
  3. Compost and Recycle: If you’re not doing these yet, it’s an easy way to lower methane emissions from landfills and decrease your carbon footprint. Check with your city about pick-up options or drop-off locations. If you live in Minneapolis, check out the composting (organics) information here.
  4. Trash pick-up: Do you walk during your lunch break at work? If so, this is SO EASY. Bring a bag and gloves and pick up any trash on your route. This prevents litter from going into the sewer, which leads to the oceans, and possibly into animals’ bodies. Let’s help all those ocean creatures out!
  5. Shop used: There are plenty of stores that sell repurposed clothing. If we shopped used more often, there’d be less clothing going into landfills, and there are options from classic thrift to high-end to vintage here in Minneapolis: Buffalo Exchange, Rodeo Drive and The Golden Pearl. When buying new, try not to purchase disposable clothing. Cheap clothing has a short lifespan and ends up in the landfill, sometimes after a single wear! (The average American generates 82 pounds of textile waste annually.) If you’re going to buy new, buy something that will last and will stay on-trend for years.
  6. Repair/repurpose: Rather than throwing items away, where they’ll ultimately find their way to a landfill, tailor or sew clothing. Have your shoes repaired by Shooli. Let old furniture live on by repurposing with a new look.
  7. Reduce single use plastics: Carry a reusable water bottle rather than buying plastic bottles. Ask servers at restaurants for drinks without a straw. Use reusable food storage containers instead of zip-lock bags. Bring reusable grocery and produce bags when shopping. A sobering tidbit for all of us to think about: each U.S. resident uses almost one plastic bag per day, compared to shoppers in Denmark, who use roughly four plastic bags a year.
  8. Save on household energy: Purchase energy efficient light bulbs and appliances. Turn off any lights you aren’t using, even if you leave the room for a short period of time. Change your furnace filters regularly. Invest in high quality insulation. Want to go big? Invest in a green roof, solar panels or a geothermal system.
  9. Eat a plant based diet: Did you know, a person who eats a plant-based diet saves slightly less than 1 ton of CO2 from being emitted annually? That’s huge! Even though that may be tough, try to have one or two days a week without meat. “Meatless Monday” is common for those trying to cut back.
  10. Sustainable support: Back companies that have a sustainable impact. For example, Woodchuck plants a tree for every purchase made. Etsy off-sets 100% of carbon emissions from deliveries. Lyft is committing to 100% renewable energy.

These are just ten of the many ways you can contribute to the health of our planet. And although Earth Day is a great time to double-down on sustainability efforts, it shouldn’t be the ONLY time you do so! Here in our office, we’re trying to make small lifestyle adjustments every day in order to maximize the impact for our planet, and we encourage you to do the same.

Meet Emily, our new Graphic Design Intern

Please join us in welcoming Emily Hanson to the team!

Emily is currently in school at Dunwoody for graphic design, has a foxy-looking pup and enjoys baking in her limited free time. She caught our attention with her quick wit and impressive design portfolio—immediately, we knew she would be a great addition to our team.

Since she started a few weeks ago, we’ve had the opportunity to get to know her a bit more and here’s what we’ve gathered:

  • If Emily could have any super power, she would like to be Amy Poehler. If you don’t count that as a superpower (which you should, because Amy is a hero!) she would love the ability to communicate with animals and understand what her dog is thinking.
  • Pineapples on pizza? Emily unapologetically loves pineapples on pizza. In fact, when she used to live with male roommates she would strategically order pineapple pizza to ensure she had leftovers. This was a foolproof plan until they started liking it too.
  • One of Emily’s favorite things about Minneapolis is how accessible everything is. She can get to most places by walking or taking the bus.
  • She frequently tunes in to ‘Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me,’ NPR’s weekly news podcast.
  • The weirdest thing Emily has ever eaten is Cuttlefish Ink Pasta. She says that eating black pasta is what made that experience strange.
  • The Office aficionado: She recently had a dream (or shall we say, “nightmare?”) that her husband cancelled Netflix because she watched The Office too much.
  • Favorite food? Emily loves heading to the farmers market, picking up the freshest cucumber and thinly slicing it to make a quick pickle.

Can you see why we’re really excited about adding Emily’s design-savvy to our team? Welcome!

Welcome to Bangkok—An Experiment IN Pad Thai

Have you ever received a meeting invite from a colleague entitled “Welcome to Bangkok”?

No? Must be an IN Food thing.

Ok, or maybe it’s a Caroline thing. Hey, I’m Caroline, Content Strategist & Copywriter in residence here at IN Food Marketing & Design. I never pass up the chance to take a title from utilitarian to intriguing—lucky for my colleagues, that philosophy is all-inclusive. Even meeting invites aren’t spared…which explains why everyone at IN Food found an invitation to “Bangkok” in their inboxes this winter. As part of our IN Food Soup Day tradition (originally a sharing of soups that’s become a sharing of whatever dish you’d like to whip up in large quantities) I brought a wok pan to work and set about making Pad Thai.

Our office of food marketing professionals is passionate about creating experiences around food. We do it for our clients, and we do it for each other! Last year I spent some time in Thailand and had the opportunity to learn to make authentic Pad Thai—deliciously satisfying but slightly lighter than the syrupy noodles often served here in the States—and my desk mates convinced me there would be no better way to share these new skills than on my “soup day.”

Of course, I’ve never tried to make batches of Pad Thai on any sort of scale, but as with most challenges here in our office, it wasn’t so much of question of “if” but rather of “how.”

Throw Down IN the Kitchen:

First thing’s first, I gathered ingredients—many were sourced from United Noodles, Minnesota’s largest Asian grocery store.

Next came the prep.

Garlic, tofu and green onions.

(Among other things.)

The wok was fired up.

Tamarind, oyster sauce and fish sauce were added.

Finally, soaked rice noodles, bean sprouts and green onions joined the mix.

Topped with cashews rather than the traditional peanuts (an explanation for which you can find here), lime wedges and plenty of red pepper flakes, the finished product was styled and shot by Alyssa and Ciara—because who are we kidding? None of us can resist  getting a drool-worthy beauty shot!

In the end this was just one of many delicious dishes our team has enjoyed over the course of a frigid Minnesota winter. But preparing it for my colleagues reminded me exactly what’s so fascinating about working with and thinking about food all day: the unique way that it brings people together. My Pad Thai was served with a pair of chopsticks and eaten with a side of laughter at our conference table. Food is never just “food” for our team of passionate marketers and creatives—talking about it, sharing it and savoring it never seems to get old.

 

Hot Diggity Dog!

Working in the creative field we need room to run, jump and play. Kind of like dogs…

This is what it would look like if everyone in our agency were a dog.

Alyssa: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Alyssa is adaptable and happy to go with the flow. She loves to be pampered, indulge in treats and be with people as much as possible. It makes sense that Alyssa grew up with a twin, as this beloved spaniel should not be left alone for long periods of time.

Anita: Pomeranian

Perky and friendly, Anita is small and enjoys regular exercise, like a Pomeranian. It’s not rare to find her jogging around the office to meet her daily step goal. Though both Anita and Pomeranians are small, they never let their stature keep them from pursuing their passions and striving for greatness.

Betsy: Cocker Pug (mix between cocker spaniel and pug)

Playful, easy-going and a smidge mischievous, Betsy can be described as a mix between a cocker spaniel and pug, a.k.a. the “Cocker Pug.” She loves spending time with others and when she isn’t at the office, we hear of adventures out with friends or her husband, or working at events with GetKnit.

Caroline: Italian Greyhound

Caroline is full of energy, love and affection similar to an Italian Greyhound. As a Viroqua, WI, native, city-dweller and avid traveler, she is suitable for rural or urban life and adapts quickly to her surroundings. Both Caroline and Italian Greyhounds have a strong desire for attention and love to be petted.

Ciara: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Ciara is independent and curious like a Toller. Identified by her laugh, she’s known to have a sense of humor and upbeat attitude. When not working or playing, Ciara and Tollers are content to lie down and be quiet, which suits her current Game of Thrones binge.

Drew: Corgi

Like this beloved breed, Drew is a happy, fun-loving guy that appreciates a good Hawaiian shirt. You won’t be able to help but laugh at when they get up to some mischief. With proper attention and training, Drew can make a great pet.

Emily: Yellow Lab

Loyal and lovable, Emily is quick to make friends with her high spirits and outgoing personality. She’s full of energy and loves staying active. Don’t let Emily get bored…we can’t promise she won’t tear apart your couch, but you never know what might happen!

Erin: Dog that walks itself

Our go-to guide for all things adulting—Erin keeps everything in the office on track and in order. While doing so, she’s gentle and puts a smile on our face! There’s a 100% chance that if she was a dog, she would be walking herself.

Lori: Afghan Hound

A study in contradictions—strikingly elegant and sweet-as-can be, if you get to know Lori you’ll find that, like an Afghan hound, she is as silly as she is poised.

Maddy: Bob Ross Dog

Maddy is funny, caring, goofy and artistic. It’s not a matter of what dog breed she would be, rather, what costume her dog self would wear for Halloween. We pinned her as the Bob Ross dog.

Maggie: Blue Heeler (beer preferred)

As a champion of step challenges, Maggie proves her inner blue heeler athleticism by averaging 18,000 steps per day. She’s one to work hard, play harder and is often found keeping up with the latest in all things sports-related.

Nina: American Water Spaniel

Nina loves long walks and outdoor activities, like an American Water Spaniel. At the end of a hard day, you can find her curled up in her apartment relaxing with a cup of coffee or tea.

How to Beat the Winter Blues in a Soup-rising and Flavorful Way

We are no strangers to long, frigid Minnesota winters. The shorter days, lack of sunlight and negative temps can take a toll on our mojo – which is why we bank on a few tried-and-true methods to battle the winter blues.

You can catch us strolling around the North Loop at 3:00 p.m. for our daily wellness walk, diffusing essential oils in the office or heading over to the Minneapolis Bouldering Project for a post-work climb and sauna sesh. But in addition to all of these tactics, we have one secret weapon that trumps them all: Soup days.

This office tradition began 3 years ago as a way to bring everyone together family-style. Now, when the calendar reaches November, it’s our cue to whip out our favorite cold weather recipes. Each week, one team member signs up to be our chef. While we call it “soup day,” we don’t restrict ourselves – any warm, comforting food is welcome.

Whether it be authentic Pad Thai or Instant Pot magic, read on to hear about some of the dishes we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying thanks to our team of talented in-house chefs.

Around the world in a 1-hour lunch break

The chef: Caroline

The dish: Pad Thai

Caroline_makes_pad_thaiIn June, our content strategist Caroline globe-trotted halfway across the world to visit an elephant sanctuary, weave through the vast mountains of northern Thailand on a moped, and most importantly, learn how to make authentic Pad Thai.

Far less “flashy” than the American version, authentic Pad Thai delights with a subtle, yet satisfying flavor. Ingredients from United Noodles brought this dish to life, featuring tamarind, bean sprouts and fish sauce.

We enjoyed this cultural twist on our soup day, though have to admit – the Americanized version might not live up to our standards from here on out.

Some like it hot (dish)

The chef: Maggie

The dish: Tator tot hot dish

A Wisconsin native, Maggie has grown up with a deep appreciation for hot dish. A staple at family gatherings and the ultimate comfort food, it’s the perfect way to bring all of her favorite people together. As long as the real foodie of her family – her dog, Cal, doesn’t get into it for a taste.

Layers of tator tots and veggies bound by melted cheddar cheese had us lining up for seconds… and, okay, maybe thirds.

Instant gratification, or Instant Pot chili?  

The chef: Emily

The dish: Instant Pot Chili

Perhaps both, with Emily’s tasty chili recipe from Twin Cities-based food blog, Pinch of Yum.

Not only does Emily juggle a full-time account executive role, a part-time gig at GetKnit Outdoor Events AND intramural broom ball – she also recently became an aunt! Cue easy, instant pot recipes to the rescue as she spends time with her baby niece, Margot, and helps her sleepless-sister, Ashley, through the new mom stage. “It makes me feel extra cozy during cold Minnesota winters,” Emily adds.

A whiff of what’s next

Upcoming Soup-er stars include Nina with a shrimp jambalaya and a beer cheese soup from Drew. Want to join in on the fun? Good news, you can! While we can’t extend the invite to our soup days (we only have so many soup bowls), we can invite you to our next Food Connections gathering. If you are in the food industry (or want to be), come join in on the food and fun!

Introducing our 2019 Food For All Partner (Plus, a Bonus Pro-Bono Project We Couldn’t Pass Up) 

We are thrilled to announce our 2019 Food For All partner: The Open Door. This Eagan-based food pantry stood out among many applications because of their innovative approach to combatting hunger, which includes an on-site pantry, 20 mobile pantry sites, a Mobile Lunch Box program and a Garden to Table program—all with a focus on access to fresh, healthy foods. As our 2019 Food For All partner, The Open Door will receive half of the proceeds* from the agency’s generous 5% Give Back Campaign and $10,000 worth of pro-bono marketing services.

BUT, that’s not all…

 Considering the large volume of entries for the Food For All program, selecting just one organization was really tough for our team of creatives interested in making the biggest possible impact!

To that end, we’ve chosen to ALSO support Pillsbury United Communities (PUC) in the branding of a trail-blazing bicycle CSA program they will be launching this year. This program combines an initiative that provides homeless people with bicycle maintenance skills with produce from community-run gardens in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis to create the first bicycle-delivered CSA program in the Twin Cities.

snow, garden, garden bed    food, shelf, food pantry, cans    raised garden bed, snow

Scenes from the PUC gardens and food shelves. 

Get in on the movement 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn to see what’s going on in our Food For All program this year, and consider donating to or volunteering at one of these incredible organizations yourself this year! Together, we can combat food insecurity in our community.

*Up to $10,000

Break the ice at #SAS2019

We’re proud to sponsor this year’s Student Advertising Summit (SAS), an event organized by student and professional volunteers for students and recent grads looking to make their mark in the advertising industry.

If you’re attending, be sure to say hello to our team! (We don’t bite, promise.) In fact, here are some of our favorite ice-breakers to start the conversation:

  • What’s your favorite food?
  • If you were forced to a) never eat pizza again, or b) never eat peanut butter again, what would you do?
  • What are you looking forward to in 2019?
  • Would a duck or a goose win in a footrace? Why?
  • What’s your favorite brewery (or coffee shop) in the Twin Cities?
  • If you could create the ultimate sandwich, what would it be?
  • What was the worst haircut you ever had?
  • What did you name your first car?

And if you like the vibe we’ve got going on here at IN Food, feel free to get in touch and mention we that met at SAS!

SAS will take place January 31st and February 1st. Plan on attending for a riveting evening of resume reviews, followed by a day of networking, speakers, portfolio reviews, and more. Get your tickets!

28 Twin Cities Hunger Relief Organizations to Support This Holiday Season

If you’re passionate about making a difference in our community, this list is for you!

This fall we launched our Food for All Partnership Program, through which we will collaborate with one Twin Cities-area nonprofit focusing on hunger relief to further their mission and increase their impact.

We are overwhelmed by the response to our call for entries (and frankly, amazed at how many awesome people and organizations are working to solve important issues, like hunger, in our community). While we have been pouring over applications—stay tuned for an announcement about our 2019 partner in January!—it occurred to us that this project has increased OUR knowledge of incredible organizations in the Twin Cities and this is information we shouldn’t keep to ourselves.

Check out this list of 28 outstanding nonprofits working to move the needle on systemic issues in our community.

  1. The Sheridan Story
  2. March Out Hunger
  3. Division of Indian Work
  4. Pillsbury United Communities
  5. MealFund for Edina Public Schools
  6. North Anoka County Emergency Food Shelf (NACE)
  7. Hope for the Community
  8. Trinity Lutheran Church and School Manna Market
  9. iHelp Market Square
  10. South, Carver, Dakota Community Action Partnership
  11. Interfaith Action of Greater Sant Paul Department of Indian Works
  12. Merrick Community Services
  13. Powerpack
  14. 360 Communities
  15. Open Arms of Minnesota
  16. Loaves and Fishes
  17. Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners
  18. Progressive Baptist Church/Fishes & Loaves Food Shelf
  19. The Food Group
  20. Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless
  21. People Serving People
  22. Missions Inc. Programs
  23. CAPI, USA
  24. Hunger Impact Partners
  25. GMCC – Minnesota Food Share
  26. The Open Door
  27. Hallie Q. Brown Community Center
  28. Anoka County Brotherhood Council (ACBC) Food Shelf

Remember, to qualify for a tax deduction for this calendar year make your donation before December 31st!

How we stay creative in an industry known for burnout

Ready for a hot-take from the IN office?

Creativity isn’t an inherent characteristic, but rather a practiced skill—like riding a bike, typing on a keyboard or driving a car.

We know. It’s a departure from the general assumption that creative people are just born creative. But before you start protesting that you “don’t have a creative bone in your body,” hear us out.

The results of creative thinking are broader and more widely applicable than say, successfully pedaling from point A to point B, but the principle is the same. If you practice stretching your brain in different ways and throwing away preconceptions to make room for wild new ideas, that sort of thinking eventually becomes as natural as pedaling a bike. Sure, you’ll always have to put in effort, (bikes don’t pedal themselves,) but the motion is gradually more comfortable.

Here at IN Food we encourage our team members to treat creativity as a practice inside the office and outside of it.

You’ve seen the results of this approach if you’re familiar with our work. (And if you’re not we recommend clicking over there STAT. Darn cool stuff coming out of our office these days!) However, what you wouldn’t know unless you have an “IN,” is the way that many of us cultivate creativity outside the office. Of course, the added bonus is that these “extracurriculars” keep our minds limber, our neurons firing and our creativity practice fresh.

Curious about the things that add value to our lives and our work? Here’s a sampling:

Maddy painting a mural of the stone arch bridge in Minneapolis, MN

Maddy working on a local mural

Maddy, Painter, oh and Graphic Designer

Maddy is an incredible visual artist. In fact, this summer she was selected by a juried panel to be 1 of 12 Emerging Artists showcasing their talent at the Des Moines Arts Festival, one of the nation’s most decorated art festivals! Her skill with a brush and canvas translates directly to her skill as a graphic designer—if you’re looking for gorgeous food illustrations, Maddy’s your gal.

Caroline playing a recital at a beautiful church in Minneapolis, MN

Caroline in concert

Caroline, Cellist who happens to write things too

Caroline holds a degree in Cello Performance and maintains a fairly rigorous concert schedule outside the office. She has played in chamber music series throughout the Midwest, and on top of writing compelling copy and scheming about content, she performs as a soloist and with different area ensembles. Music and writing are both essentially modes of creative communication after all, and Caroline finds that practicing one benefits the other.

In-progress cross-stitch project resting on a furry blanket

Ciara’s latest cross-stitch project

Ciara, Cross-Stitcher, also good at Digital Marketing

Ciara’s latest creative endeavor? Cross-stitching! Her approach takes your grandmother’s embroidery up a notch and allows her to make beautiful and unique pieces while practicing tangible creativity. A useful prerequisite to have in your tool belt when you’re tasked with delivering creative solutions in an intangible digital landscape.

Pencil sketch of coffee mug that reads "Duluth Minnesota Est. 1876" with coffee inside

Anita’s interpretation of her Sunday morning coffee

Anita, Budding Artiste (and IN Food President!)

You might never guess that our very own President and Account Director spends the occasional hour with a sketchpad in hand, but then again Anita is full of surprises. She’s been quietly cultivating her skill for a while now and enjoys the way that sketching is an ongoing exercise in critical thinking, audience perception and innovation—skills that just happen to be invaluable in marketing, too.

Cream sweater, grey screen-printed t-shirt, brown boots and blue jeans arranged on a wooden floor

A t-shirt Nina screen-printed

Nina, Screen-Printer, great at managing projects

Nina’s attention to detail and knack for guiding projects to fruition is widely acknowledged in our office, and it’s no wonder that her creative pursuits follow this theme. Outside of work she is passionate about screen printing and once in a while we have to ask: “Hey Nina, did you make that T-shirt?”

Platter of hors d'oeuvres

An hors d’oeuvres platter Lori whipped-up

Lori, Chef de Cuisine, straight-up-creative

Ok, so Lori’s not actually a chef de cuisine anywhere, but she might as well be. As Vice President and Creative Director, it’s quite literally Lori’s job to think creatively about our projects every day. So how does she keep herself from falling in a rut? You can often find Lori whipping up something delicious in the kitchen—ours, hers, a friend’s or family member’s. She is an unparalleled chef, comfortable in all sorts of cuisines and categories. It’s a different kind of creative exercise, but Lori says that’s exactly why it keeps her engaged, inspired and ready to innovate at her desk.