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Sydney's Health Market
Go gluten free
Sherri Richards
Reprinted from the The Forum - 10/31/2007
Learning her daughter had celiac disease changed the way Stephanie Engel shopped for food, cooked and ate. But it meant Sydney, now 6, wouldn't be inexplainably sick anymore.
People with celiac disease, a chronic, inherited condition, have an immune system reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Eating gluten damages the small intestine and can lead to malnutrition.
Besides obvious food sources like breads and cereal, gluten can also be found in myriad foods, like salad dressings or barbecue sauce.
To meet her daughter's dietary needs, Engel says she read thousands of food labels.
She wanted to make it easier for other people with the disease.
On Sept. 1, she opened Sydney's Health Market in north Fargo. Everything in the small grocery store is gluten-free. Some of the products are also organic, or are geared toward people with other food allergies or sensitivities. Her daughter's smiling picture hangs by the door.
"I just wanted to give her more options instead of having only what the local stores carry," Engel says. "They have a lot, but there's more out there."
People who want to eat other products often have to order online, adding shipping costs to already pricey products.
At Engel's store, a box of breakfast bars costs $6.30, a box of cereal more than $5 and 12 ounces of pasta $3.69.
One of the biggest challenges Engel faced was getting financial backing. Lenders didn't believe there was a large enough market. Engel eventually found a bank manager who is a celiac.
But some estimates show one in 133 people have celiac disease. It can be difficult to diagnose because there are no typical symptoms of the disease - some people experience abdominal pain, diarrhea and bloating while others may have joint pain, a skin rash or tingling sensations.
Jan Hammer of Fargo is thrilled there's a store that offers all gluten-free products, especially for people who are newly diagnosed. She's been a member of Red River Celiacs, a local support group, for 10 years.
"It's so overwhelming at first. Even with your best effort, so many labels say modified food starch or natural flavorings, and who knows what that means," Hammer says.
This weekend, the Red River Celiacs are hosting a conference about gluten intolerance. Speakers will discuss new research about the disease and ways to live with it. Vendors will be on hand offering food samples or items for sale.
The group hosts a conference every two years for health care providers, day care workers, chefs and people with gluten intolerance or wheat allergies, says Stacey Juhnke.
Her son has celiac disease. She's also been appreciative of Engel's store.
"It's just nice having a wider variety of products to choose from in her store than we were able to get," Junke says.
Applesauce Pancakes
1½ cups rice flour
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons potato starch flour
1½ teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 eggs
3 tablespoons margarine, melted
1 cup applesauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)
In one bowl, mix together flours, starch, baking powder and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining ingredients.
Combine both bowls. Stir to remove the lumps and cook on a griddle as usual.
Spicy Beef and Macaroni
1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
2 cups water
2 cups gluten-free elbow macaroni
1 cup gluten-free barbecue sauce
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
In a deep skillet, brown the meat. Add the diced onion and green pepper; cook until tender. Stir in water, macaroni and barbecue sauce.
Cover and simmer until macaroni is tender, 6 to 8 minutes. If desired, stir in or top with cheese.
Almond Cake
3 eggs, separated
Xc cup sugar
¼ cup potato starch, sifted
½ cup orange juice
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1¾ cups ground blanched almonds
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Beat the egg yolks and sugar until the mixture is thick and fluffy. Beat in alternately the potato starch and orange juice. Add the almonds and cinnamon; mix well.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff but not dry; fold the beaten egg whites into the yolk mixture.
Grease an 8-inch spring-form pan and dust with potato starch. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center, comes out clean. Serve with a fruit salad. Serves 8.
Recipes from Celiac Sprue Association
If you go
- What: Gluten Intolerance Education Conference
- When: Friday and Saturday
- Where: Courtyard by Marriott, Moorhead
- Info: (701) 237-4854
- Online info: www.redriverceliacs.org; www.csaceliacs.org; www.celiac.com
Sydney's Health Market
- Location: 302 27th St. N., Fargo (inside the Tupperware building)
- Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday
- Info: (701) 526-0983
Readers can reach Forum reporter Sherri Richards at (701) 241-5525
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Kringstad Ironworks grows to tackle manufacturing project
Two major
contracts catapulted
Kringstad Ironworks
this past year from
11 full time
employees in the
spring to 41 by
year's end.
Bernie Kringstad
started out 10 years
ago as a welding shop south of
Hoople doing farm repairs. The first
manufacturing job they tackled was
building safety hitches used to pull
beet trucks through muddy fields.
Then came a partnership with the
University of North Dakota
engineering department to build a
prototype for a drone launcher.
"That opened doors for bigger
projects," said Kringstad.
When the opportunity came,
they bid on American Crystal's
contract for building massive sugar
beet pilers. At about the same time
they hosted a Danish
representative from LM Glassfiber,
the world class builder of wind
turbine blades. They were looking
for someone to build glass carts --
fully automated steel carts that
handle one ton rolls of fiberglass --
for their plant expansion at Grand
Forks and Quebec.
When both contracts were
solidified, Kringstad Ironworks
turned to Dawn Keeley at the Red
River Regional Council/Small
Business Development Center for
help with managing the growth.
They needed additional employees,
more space, new equipment and
operating capital.
"Dawn knew the organizations to
go to for the different parts of the
funding," said Kringstad. The
process took three months of fairly
intense work. "We sat down for
many hours and set up the
spreadsheets and different formulas
to build the business plan," he said.
"Plus every organization wants it
done a little differently."
The financial package included
First United Bank, Red River
Regional Council, the City of Park
River, Small Business
Administration, N.D. Development
Fund, Bank of North Dakota, Polar
Communications and the Walsh
County Job Development Authority.
The City of Park River leased a
former mushroom plant to
Kringstad, with a credit allowance
for each employee hired. "Once we
hit 18 employees we got the place
rent free," said Kringstad. The Park
River plant boosted the company's
floor space five-fold. The farm shop
has 7200 square feet and the Park
River plant 40,000 square feet. Part
of the new financing went towards
renovating the building and buying
the equipment needed to build
large machinery.
"I'm really thankful to Polar
Communications for matching the
Bank of North Dakota's PACE
Program by granting us $10,000,"
said Kringstad. "Walsh County Job
Development Authority matched
that."
"To get these kind of jobs in Park
River, at the north end of the
valley, has everyone excited," he
said. "Fargo and West Fargo plants
usually get these kind of orders."
- by Susanne Retka Schill
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Microsoft Business Summit
Win FREE Microsoft software by attending and evaluating 3 FREE webinars offered March 14 -17, 2006! Get details on how to register online by clicking on the link in the left margin!
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USDA Grant Funding Available for Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Imporvements
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
USDA invites applications for FY 2006 funding under the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program to support renewable energy systems purchases and energy efficiency improvements. The program is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses in eligible rural areas reduce energy costs and consumption. Approximately $11.4 million is available to support competitive grants. Approximately $176.5 million in guaranteed loan authority also is available. For renewable energy systems, grants may range from $2,500 to $500,000. For energy efficiency improvements, grants may range from $1,500 to $250,000. Guaranteed loans will not exceed $10 million. Applications should be submitted by May 12, 2006, to USDA rural development state offices.
Contact Dale Van Eckout at:
Telephone: 701-530-2065
FAX: 701-530-2111
E-Mail: Dale.VanEckhout@ND.usda.gov
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Marketplace for Entrepreneurs 2006
by Chris Thorne (202) 224-2043; Ted Quanrud (701) 328-2233
Posted on 1/11/2006
Fargo, ND - A driving force in Internet commerce and a legend in pop music will headline Marketplace for Entrepreneurs, North Dakota's largest and longest-running economic development effort, set for Jan. 17-18 in Fargo.
U.S. Sen. Kent Conrad and Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson announced today that Amazon.com founder Jeffrey P. Bezos will give the keynote address, and legendary Motown band The Four Tops will appear in concert during the two-day event.
"Jeff Bezos took a new and creative idea and turned it into a company that has reshaped the world's retail industry. The story of Amazon.com will be an inspiration at Marketplace," Senator Conrad and Commissioner Johnson said in a joint statement. "And we know that the music of The Four Tops will energize what we know will be an already enthusiastic Marketplace audience. It simply can't be missed."
Conrad and Johnson are the organizing co-sponsors of Marketplace, which hosts hundreds of exhibits, workshops and classes each year, drawing thousands of people from across North Dakota and the region. Bezos will speak at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 18th, at the Fargodome. The Four Tops will give a special concert for Marketplace sponsors, volunteers and attendees the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 17th, at the Fargo Civic Center.
Marketplace begins the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 17th by hosting annual meetings of business and community organizations including the Northern Plains Inventors Congress and the Annual Nature and Rural Tourism Conference. It continues on Wednesday, Jan. 18th, with the opening of the exhibit floor, showcasing the innovation of North Dakota's entrepreneurs, and dozens of workshops and presentations, including the popular Career Marketplace.
Marketplace is free and open to anyone interested in learning new business skills, starting a new business or improving an existing business. Early registration is recommended, since classes can fill up quickly. Registration is available at the Marketplace Web site, www.marketplaceforentrepreneurs.org , or by calling the Marketplace office at (888) 384-8410. "Marketplace is about new opportunity and improving our quality of life here in North Dakota," Senator Conrad and Commissioner Johnson said. "There is no greater success story for improving the lives of all North Dakotans than Marketplace."
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$1 million grants for Public/Farmers Markets
"Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets"
RFP Release
Project for Public Spaces, Inc. (PPS) is pleased to release this Request for Pre-proposals (RFP), "Diversifying Public Markets and Farmers Markets," with approximately $1 million in collaborative funding from the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
This grants initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the Farmers' Market Coalition, a program of the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA/ FMC) to support public market networks (with a specific focus on farmers markets), individual farmers markets, and state/regional farmers market associations. This RFP describes the grant program for grants to be awarded in late 2005 and early 2006.
The 2006 public markets grant program aims to strategically support markets, especially in low- to moderate-income communities, to become more economically sustainable and community-centered.
Grants will be awarded in three (3) categories:
Public Market/Farmers Market Networks: Broadening Impacts & Building Sustainability - Five (5) grants in this category from a grant pool of approximately $475,000.
Individual Markets: Diversifying Farmers Markets Mini-Grants - Ten to Fifteen (10-15) grants from a grant pool of $150,000 to $200,000.
State/Regional Farmers Market Associations: Building Capacity to Support Local Markets - Four to Six (4-6) grants in this category from a grant pool of $300,000 - 350,000.
To access the RFP and to download the application form, please visit the PPS Public Markets Website.
Pre-proposals are due November 14th, 2005.
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Dawn Keeley recently recognized as the NDSBDC State Star
Dawn Keeley, Regional Director of the Small Business Development Center program in northeastern ND, was recently recognized at the North Dakota State Star at the national Association of Small Business Development Centers conference held recently in Baltimore, MD. Selected by her peers, the State Star award specifically recognizes a strong commitment to the small business community; significant contribution to the regional and statewide program.
Christine Martin-Goldsmith, State Director, says "We are so proud to see Dawn recognized with this award; she is a strong advocate of small business and is a constant source of great ideas. Northeastern North Dakota businesses are lucky to have her working in their area. "
As the Regional Director, Dawn has been instrumental in ensuring consistent,
high quality business consulting services have been offered in three locations - Grafton, Devils Lake, and Grand Forks. This region has served over 435 clients and 430 training attendees since 2002. In 2004, the northeast centers exceeded a goal of small business investments by 178%, leading to $12.5 million in deals resulting in the creation/ projection of 232 full and part time jobs.
The expansion of services beyond the Grand Forks office ensures that entrepreneurs receive access to services outside of the larger community. The northeast region has over 20 funding partners involved in raising the required match funds for the SBDC program and maintains mutually beneficial
relationships with them, along with ensuring the SBDC program meets the federal and state requirements.
North Dakota SBDC Program Accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers. At the ASBDC conference in Baltimore, MD, in early September, the national accreditation committee voted to provide full accreditation to the North Dakota SBDC program.
Noted in the accreditation letter, "The accomplishments of the NDSBDC observed during the Accreditation Review were in the spirit and desire of developing the strongest program possible and the Team wishes to commend your collective efforts. The commitment and dedication of the NDSBDC staff, leadership and stakeholders was found to be commendable and worthy of special recognition within the program. We hope that the University of North Dakota, the State Department of Economic Development and Finance, the advisory board, local hosts/stakeholders and especially the staff of the program are able to take satisfaction from their efforts to develop a dramatically stronger SBDC network."
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SBA Eliminates LowDoc Loan Program
SBA has recently announced that effective September 30, 2005, the SBA will no longer approve loans under the LowDoc Program. Any loan package not processed by the LowDoc Center prior to the close of business on September 30, 2005 will be shipped to the appropriate district office for approval as a standard 7(a) loan.
Following September 30th, all future 7(a) loan applications must be submitted to the district office covering the geographic location of the borrower, using the procedures and with the forms required for the standard 7(a) Program. Approved Express Lenders may also continue to send applications through the Express Program.
SBDC staff is available to assist with packaging 7(a) applications at no cost.
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SBDC Client Northwood Mills Breaks Ground on $8 Million Dollar Soybean Crushing Facility
NORTHWOOD, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven joined state, regional and local officials today to break ground for Northwood Mills LLC, a soybean crushing facility located just outside of Northwood, ND.
When complete, Northwood Mills will be a soybean crushing plant that processes soybeans into soybean meal and soybean oil with hulls as a byproduct. All three are used for livestock feed.
"Value-added agriculture is an important industry for growing and diversifying our local economies," Hoeven said, "and when we work together to add value to North Dakota's commodities, great things happen for our farmers, our food processors and our citizens. The city of Northwood, along with more than a dozen partners, has worked hard to make this high-value project a reality, bringing new jobs, revenue and opportunities to the region. I congratulate them all."
Northwood Mills' founders and partners Paul Sproule and plant manager Clarence Leschied estimate the plant will crush 250 tons of soybeans daily using 8,325 bushels of the product when it is operational in the fall of 2006. This volume will require production from about 100,000 acres of soybeans.
In 2004, there were more than 3.5 million acres of soybeans harvested in North Dakota, according to the North Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service. More than 180,000 acres of soybeans were harvested in Grand Forks County in 2004 where Northwood is located.
"We have been working on this project for more than two years from the idea stage to turning this first shovel of soil, and we look forward to the first product coming off the line. Bringing together a strong management team with a vision to capitalize on our resources, we will serve a customer base that requires our high-quality soybean product," Sproule said.
When operational, Northwood Mills will run five days a week, 24 hours per day. The expectation is for the plant to produce product seven days a week, 24 hours per day, once markets are established. Sproule said the company expects to employ 17 full-time people.
Mayor Rick Johnson was clearly excited about today's groundbreaking. "In a city with a population of just under 1,000 people, 17 new jobs is a big deal to us; an $8 million capital investment is a big deal to us; and an estimated annual economic impact to our region of $2.8 million is huge. We have cause to celebrate."
Partners on the project include: Northwood Mills LLC, American Federal Bank (Northwood and Fargo), Office of the Governor, Bank of North Dakota, the city of Northwood, Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation, North Dakota Department of Commerce programs -- the Agricultural Products Utilization Commission, Business Development Team, Community Services Block Grant program, North Dakota Development Fund, the Small Business Development Center of Grand Forks -- North Dakota Department of Transportation, North Dakota Soybean Council, Northwood Economic Development Foundation, Red River Regional Council and USDA Rural Development.
"Successful economic development means working together with our partners - in Northwood, in our region, and at the state and federal level," said Bruce Uglem, president of Northwood Economic Development Foundation. "Projects of this size don't happen overnight, and it takes a commitment from all of us to improve the quality of life for the people of Northwood and the people of North Dakota."
To learn more about the city of Northwood, visit www.discovernorthwood.com. To learn more about the Department of Commerce, visit www.growingnd.com.
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Manufacturers Benefit from Policy Change - Loan size increases to $4 million
Posted on 2/15/2005
Fargo, ND - Recent changes to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 504-loan program increases the maximum loan size for small manufacturers. The new policy allows manufacturers to apply for up to $4 million in SBA-backed loans through the Dakota Certified Development Corporation (CDC).
The increased loan size leads to a potential financing proposal of $10 million. "Our SBA backed $4 million commitment is leveraged with a $6 million bank loan and requires a 10% equity or $1 million creating the $10 million package," explains Al Haut, acting lead loan specialist with the SBA in Fargo.
Toby Sticka, president of the Dakota CDC indicated he is excited about the increase potential stemming from this change. "Today's laser cutters can run up to $1 million themselves, not to mention the facilities required to house the machines and finished products. Several of our manufacturing clients are at the current SBA maximum lending limit. The increase in loan amounts allows us to continue in assisting these companies to grow" stated Sticka.
The Dakota CDC assisted 57 different businesses with loans totaling $19.3 million dollars in fiscal year 2004 with plans to create over 400 new jobs in ND.
A small manufacturer is as a small business concern that has:
1. its primary business classified in sector 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) which ranges from food manufacturers to medical supply manufacturers; and
2. all of its production facilities located in the United States.
The 504 Loan Program - administered in North Dakota by the Dakota Certified Development Corporation - provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets to eligible small- and medium-sized businesses. For detailed information on terms and conditions, please visit SBA's website at http://www.sba.gov/financing/frcdc504.html or contact the Dakota Certified Development Corporation at 1-800-611-8997.
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Job Service Launches UI EASY
UI EASY is a new service from Job Service North Dakota that allows you to conduct most of your Unemployment Insurance activities online.
Of course, Job Service employees are still available to help you with any questions and provide the personal service you have come to expect. If you are looking for a secure, convenient and easy way to take care of your Unemployment Insurance requirements UI EASY is for you!
With UI EASY You can:- File Quarterly Contribution and Wage Reports
- Make Electronic Payments
- View and Update your Account Information
Visit the UI Easy Website
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NORTH DAKOTA TRADE OFFICE IS READY TO FLY
Bismarck, N.D. -- The North Dakota Trade Office will introduce its services to exporters across the state July 12-14. The theme of the meetings is "Get Ready to Fly into Export Expansion."
The meetings will be held in Fargo, Grand Forks and Dickinson and are open to exporters at no charge. The North Dakota Trade Office staff will be on hand to discuss attendees' plans, and export service professionals who have significant international trade experience and a commitment to aiding export-related business overcome trade barriers will also be introduced.
"The North Dakota Trade Office is prepared to bring North Dakota exporters and qualified export service professionals together to expand international trade," said Susan Geib, executive director of the North Dakota Trade Office. "Since March 2004, the North Dakota Trade Office has been conducting research, developing an organizational business model and securing funding to begin the process of increasing exports."
The Grand Forks meeting will be Tuesday, July 12, at 4 p.m. in the JC Ray Idea Lab located at the UND Center for Innovation. The Fargo meeting will be held at the Air National Guard beginning at 8 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, and the Dickinson meeting is planned for 9 a.m. (MDT), Thursday, July 14, at the Dickinson State University Ballroom.
To register and for more information, email info@ndto.com or call 701-319-2275. You can also visit www.ndto.com to learn more about the North Dakota Trade Office.
The North Dakota Trade Office is a public-private, nonprofit partnership between the North Dakota Department of Commerce, the North Dakota District Export Council, exporters and export service providers. Since March 2004, the North Dakota Trade Office has been working to establish a database of active North Dakota exporters, assess export barriers and opportunities, and develop a business model to increase exports of North Dakota products to international markets.
Cherie Harms, North Dakota Trade Office
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University of North Dakota Ranked one of America's Top 25 Most Entrepreneurial Colleges
Over the past year, the College of Business and Public Administration has spent a considerable amount of time creating innovative ways to foster entrepreneurial efforts. In October 2004, Forbes Magazine and The Princeton Review announced UND one of the Top 25 Most Entrepreneurial Campuses in the U.S. UND ranks number 14 on the list, ahead of such institutions as Stanford University, Loyola Marymount Temple, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Boston University.
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US Commercial Service Partner with North Dakota SBDC
We at the U.S. Commercial Service are pleased to be partnering with the Small Business Development Center in Fargo, ND. Our new Trade Specialist in the State, Heather Ranck comes with a wealth of experience, having most recently worked with U.S. AID in Mozambique in assisting small businesses in exporting their products.
Heather will be co-located and work with the SBDC in assisting small businesses to grow and prosper in the global marketplace. This is the perfect partnership in that the SBDC's role is to assist new businesses in establishing themselves domestically while the U.S. Commercial Service's mission is to then assist them in entering the global marketplace. It's the obvious next step in helping a company remain competitive.
We look forward to a rewarding and long lasting relationship with the SBDC and the businesses of North Dakota.
Mary N. Joyce
Network Director
U.S. Department of Commerce
Upper Midwest Export Assistance Centers
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| "Reprinted with permission from the Turtle Mountain Star" |
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New SBDC Opens in Belcourt
North Dakota Small Business Development Center State Director Christine Martin-Goldsmith officially signed an agreement with representatives from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and Renewal Community Board last week to open a new center in Belcourt.
The Small Business Development Center in Belcourt is the 11th center in North Dakota and one of only three in the state that can distribute Trickle Up Grants.
The new center will provide one-on-one start up, expansion assistance and training events for entrepreneurs. The SBDC will assist with the activities of opening the new office, providing start-up materials for use by the public and specialized technical assistance. Tribal Chairman Ken Davis, seated left, signed the pact surrounded by tribal officials and members of the RC board. Standing from left to right are: Phyllis Jollie, Tribal Councilman Jim Baker, Tribal Planner Charles Trottier, Renewal Community Board CEO Lyman Bercier, Jim Davis, Tribal Councilman Tim Davis and Dan Vollmer.
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Documents
Microsoft Business Summit
File Size: 112 kb
Receive FREE Microsoft software by attending and evalating 3 FREE Webinars offered March 14 - 17, 2006. Download this file for details on how to register online!
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