Ma Baensch to display functional work of art

Baensch Food Products will merge art and agriculture this summer by displaying a roadside culture stand in front of its facility on Humboldt and Locust. The Roadside Culture Stand initiative was started by the Wormfarm Institute. The initiative allows artists to design and build mobile farm stands that showcase the artists’ style and sell fresh local produce.  Ma Baensch’s roadside stand will debut during the Locust Street Festival on Sunday, June 13.
“The Roadside Culture Stand is a great way for the Riverwest community and passersby to experience local products as well as the work of local artists,” said Kim Wall, president of Baensch Food Products. “There are many talented people in this community who have a unique product or artistic concept and this is a wonderful way to share it with the community. I’m thrilled to be a part of this worthwhile endeavor.”
The stand was built and designed by local artist, Tory Tepp, an installation artist who specializes in earthworks. It will be open for business two days a week from June through October. The stand will feature jars of Ma Baensch herring, Fresh Is Best Natural Pet Food and produce from Rooftop Grow-Op, among other featured local items.
“We chose this location, in front of Ma Baensch, because of its visibility. It’s at the crossroads to everything – the east side, downtown and the north shore,” said Stacy LaPoint, site coordinator for the Roadside Culture Stand. “This stand brings awareness as well as an entrepreneurial outlet to local artisan goods and a burgeoning local food system.”
The Roadside Culture Stand is funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board in support of the Wormfarm Institute. There are four stands in Wisconsin: two located in Milwaukee, one in Mineral Point and one in Baraboo. Each stand will have a home base and will also travel to local festivals and county fairs.