What Hastings Is Talking About Today (Food & Drink Edition ▲ July 23 2025)
Good morning, Hastings! This Food & Drink edition is like chatting with a neighbor over coffee — we’re sharing tasty deals, farm‑fresh adventures, and heartfelt stories that make our town smile. Grab a mug and join the fun today together! AI image by Local Pigeon.
Fresh & Local
Whimsical pick‑your‑own bouquets
Hastings’ own Whimsical Fields Flower Farm is inviting families to wander its fields and snip their own July bouquets while learning about flowers and nature. The local farm promotes joy through nature and offers farm experiences and photography sessions; its website explains that they are “dedicated to cultivating beauty and joy through nature’s charm” and welcome visitors to explore their rural Hastings fields whimsicalfields.com. A recent post on HastingsNow’s Food & Drink feed encourages neighbors to visit and “pick your own bouquets for July and kid nights in August”. With kid‑friendly evening sessions coming in August, it’s a colorful way to introduce children to agriculture.
👉 Link: Whimsical Fields
Raspberry season at Afton Apple Orchard
Just southwest of town, Afton Apple Orchard is still bursting with ripe raspberries. Its picking schedule runs through late July (weather permitting), with weekend hours and low admission that includes access to raspberry fields, playgrounds and a petting farm. The family‑run orchard has over 250 acres of fruit and activities, including hayrides and a 15‑acre corn maze aftonapple.com. The orchard notes that visitors can also order cherries and blueberries, and that the summer raspberry season usually begins in early July aftonapple.com. For the freshest experience, call ahead to confirm picking times and don’t forget to grab homemade jams or fudge at the farm store.
👉 Link: Afton Apple
Hastings Farmers Market – local bounty
If bouquets and berries whet your appetite for more local goodness, head to the Hastings Farmers Market at the Westview Center Mall parking lot. Recent posts show the market open from 8 AM to 1 PM with a huge roster of vendors — non‑toxic perfumes, popcorn samples, fresh flowers and veggies, honey, breads, meats and jams. Another post lists additional vendors like Chang Farm, Schumacher Honey and Holly’s homemade kitchen items. These markets run most Tuesdays and Saturdays through the growing season, giving neighbors a chance to shop local and meet the people who grow our food.
👉 Link: Hastings Farmers Market
Diner Specials
Taco Tuesday at El Original Mexican Restaurant
Craving comfort food? Downtown’s El Original Mexican Restaurant invites you to celebrate Taco Tuesday. The restaurant’s social post promises savory food and drink promotions. According to MapQuest’s profile, the eatery at 1789 Market Boulevard blends traditional flavors with a relaxed ambiance and is “perfect for casual lunches, family dinners, or gathering with friends to savor the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine” mapquest.com. Expect sizzling fajitas, zesty tacos and maybe a signature margarita, all served with friendly service.
👉 Link: El Original Mexican Restaurant
$10 Burger & Shake Tuesdays at Ze’s Diner
On Tuesdays, Ze’s Diner rolls back the clock with a retro‑priced combo: a quarter‑pound burger and a shake for just $10. The diner’s post highlights the joy of sharing a burger and shake with someone special. Ze’s is a family‑owned, 1950s‑style diner known for breakfast all day, homemade rhubarb jam and 100 % Angus beef burgers zesdiner.com. With a jukebox playlist and checkered floors, the atmosphere is as sweet as the milkshakes. It’s an invitation to slow down, reconnect and indulge.
👉 Link: Ze’s Diner
Free slice of pie Mondays
As if burgers and shakes weren’t enough, Ze’s Diner sweetens Mondays with Free Slice of Pie. A Facebook post notes that from 2 PM to 8 PM, diners can enjoy a complimentary slice of pie with the purchase of an adult meal (limit two per table). The offer encourages guests to tag a friend and concludes with the diner’s mantra: “Come hungry. Leave happy.” Whether you prefer blueberry or classic apple, it’s a delicious way to start the week.
👉 Link: Ze’s Diner
Sip & Savor
Trivia & taps at Spiral Brewery
Hastings’ downtown brewery is doubling down on trivia. Spiral Brewery announced a double dose of Trivia Mafia this week: a general knowledge session on Wednesday at 7 PM and a dinosaur‑themed trivia on Sunday afternoon. Their taproom, located at 111 Second Street E, is open six days a week with twelve taps and plenty of non‑alcoholic options. TripAdvisor notes that the brewery is family‑friendly, offering communal seating to help you “get to know your neighbor” tripadvisor.com. Bring the kids — the Sunday event invites young dino‑experts — and enjoy a pint while flexing your brain.
👉 Link: Spiral Brewery
Signature cocktails at The Quarry Taphouse
The Quarry Taphouse was ready for Rivertown Days with a pair of signature cocktails: the Blue Quarry Cooler and Rock Responsibly. Guests could sip them upstairs while enjoying a bird’s‑eye view of the Hwy 61 stage. MapQuest describes the Quarry as a vibrant hangout serving scratch‑cooked dishes made with locally sourced ingredients; it even features “America’s First Rock Range,” where guests can practice their aim in a safe environment mapquest.com. Whether you’re there for the cocktails, the burgers or the rock‑throwing wall, this downtown spot promises a fun night out.
👉 Link: Quarry Taphouse
Sustainability & Community
Bulk shopping & Plastic‑Free July at Spiral Food Co‑op
As Plastic‑Free July rolls on, Spiral Food Co‑op reminds shoppers that its bulk department is one of the easiest ways to reduce waste. Their Facebook post encourages customers to bring their own jars and refill them with flours, beans, spices and even treats like chocolate‑covered nuts. Sustainability advocates agree: buying in bulk and bringing your own containers minimizes packaging westgoshen.org. With over 150 spices and a wide variety of dried goods, the co‑op makes it convenient to cut down on single‑use plastic while stocking your pantry.
👉 Link: Spiral Food Co-op
Ferndale Farm turkey partnership
Spiral Food Co‑op’s commitment to sustainability extends to its suppliers. Staff recently visited Ferndale Farm in Cannon Falls to meet the Peterson family’s free‑range turkeys. The co‑op’s post describes how the third‑generation farm raises turkeys outdoors without hormones or antibiotics, producing “tasty turkey” that’s sold at the co‑op. A profile by Mississippi Market explains that Ferndale Farm was founded in 1939 and is still managed by the family; the turkeys enjoy a spacious free‑range environment and a custom feed of fresh corn and soybean meal msmarket.coop. Keep an eye out for holiday turkey sign‑ups, and celebrate local producers who prioritize animal welfare and sustainability.
👉 Link: Spiral Food Co-op
Conclusion
From picking bouquets and raspberries to cheering for trivia champions, Hastings’ food and drink scene brims with neighborly fun. These ten stories highlight the creativity and care our local businesses pour into every dish, drink and event. Visit HastingsNow.com for the full LOCAL 10 story and stay tuned for more ways to support your community. If you spot a misstatement or have a hot tip, drop us a line at HastingsNow.com/contact — our newsroom loves neighborly notes!
