International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026

We work with many woman-owned and woman-friendly businesses at the Co-op! This International Women’s Day, we wanted to highlight a few of our local women-owned or led businesses. Please join us in supporting them.

This list highlights just a few of the many inspiring women-owned and women-led businesses in our community.

La Reyna

Vinton, Iowa
Carmen and Carlos Legaspi and their family are behind La Reyna, the brand that is proud to be “Hecho en Iowa” since 1991. They are known for their excellent fresh pico de gallo, guacamole, queso sauce, and more.

CADO Ice Cream

Fairfield, Iowa
Debbie Dowd is passionate about good health. She and her family created Shaktea Kombucha before moving onto their next (and very successful food adventure) CADO Ice Cream. The brand is really making a name for itself nationwide – winning accolades on many blogs’ and magazines’ “top 10” dairy-free ice cream lists. Their avocado base provides a rich, creamy canvas for classic ice cream favorites like mint chocolate chip, dark chocolate & lemon sorbet. Enjoy a whole avocado in every pint!

Clear Creek Orchard

Collins, Iowa
Teresa Conradi and her husband Martin take pride in making jams like grandma used to make. Clear Creek minimizes added sugar and keeps batch sizes small to minimize cooking time and to preserve the aromatic fruit flavor that boils off in commercial jam production. When the business transitioned to Martin, the original owner’s nephew, they transplanted many of the original Clear Creek berry plants to the new production site for consistency.

Seed Savers Exchange

Decorah, Iowa
In 1975, Diane Ott Whealy and Kent Whealy founded Seed Savers with just two sets of family heirloom seeds from the 1870s. Today, the organization helps protect biodiversity by preserving and sharing more than 20,000 heirloom plant varieties.

Marmalade Sky

Fairfield, Iowa
Marmalade Sky is a local artisanal bakery specializing in gluten-free treats. Founder Malak Nour uses fresh, organic ingredients to create divine desserts like brownies, macaroon bars, and mini cakes.

Hanna Valley Protein

Des Moines, Iowa
Hanna Valley Protein is an organic, whole food, plant based protein powder that is free from top food allergens and is packed with nutrition. Owner Emily Hanna took great care in creating a formula that contains all 9 amino acids, is free from grains/fillers, and is loaded with fiber and Omega 3’s.

Siberian Soap Company

Ames, Iowa
Ann Staudt is the founder, chief soap formulator, kitchen chemist, graphic designer, sales manager, packaging extraordinaire, and overall operations manager behind Siberian Soap Co. She holds degrees in both chemical and environmental engineering. Soapmaking provides a wonderfully creative outlet that combines her interests in science, art, and living a simple, eco-friendly lifestyle. Check out one of the classes she teaches at the co-op!

Saltlickers

Nevada, Iowa
Jennifer Knox, a poet, a cook, and a “devoted friend to parrots everywhere” makes unique herb and spice blends with her husband Collin. What started as holiday gifts in 2011 have gradually taken over their lives. They grow some of the herbs and spices and dehydrate them and also source ingredients in bulk, but all are grown in America and are preservative free.

Maytag Dairy Farm

Newton, Iowa
Myrna Ver Ploeg joined Maytag in 2003 and is currently the President of this premier cheese making company. She herself grew up on a dairy farm in Marshall County. Myrna says the business has always operated under three basic principles: be good stewards of whatever resources they are given, be independent thinkers and follow their hearts.

Sunday Night Foods

Des Moines, Iowa
Eileen Gannon is the founder and CEO of Sunday Night Foods, an Iowa-based company specializing in premium, small-batch chocolate dessert sauces. An award-winning baker with over 600 state and national accolades, Gannon launched the brand in 2021 to create high-quality, clean-label chocolate products.

SCREAM Ice Cream

Fairfield, Iowa
Kate Vigmostad opened SCREAM in early 2025, specializing in artisanal ice cream using local, organic, and grass-fed dairy from Iowa farms. Vigmostad, a former dancer, developed the concept to offer high-quality, locally sourced frozen desserts after purchasing an ice cream maker for her son.

Agri-Cultured

Davenport, Iowa
Sarah Underberg and her husband Eric started making fermented foods to address health problems like joint pain. Today they make raw sauerkrauts, pickles, kimchi, and kombucha – on tap at your Co-op! “We’re changing lives one gut at a time,” Sarah says.