When Twins players fuel up before weekend matinees at Target Field, they'll be consuming produce locally grown by kids.
Roots for the Home Team has been at Target Field for nearly the 10-year history of the stadium. It's a haven of green and fresh salads if you want a break from candied bacon and hot dogs -- not that there's anything wrong with those ballpark options.
Its mission has been to partner with youth community gardens to help kids gain business and culinary experience.
"The youth are growing vegetables in their garden," Executive Director Sue Moores said. "They harvest them. We buy them. And then the youth come and sell salads they've created with our chef coaches on weekends at Twins games."
But for their salad creations won't be just going to fans, but also the players. Twins Head Performance Chef Kyle McCleary is a chef partner with Roots for the Home Team and was drawn to the mix of textures and macronutrients in this season's offering...
"They like what the average 25-year-old dude likes and my trick is to be creative and kind of finesse them into things that they will both enjoy, but also will support their on-field performance," McCleary said.
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Chef Mac, as he's called in the clubhouse, was a restaurant chef for many years, but found inspiration working with the kids in the program.
"These youth groups are so creative with the salads they make," he said. "I have a lot to learn from them as well. I know that can sound cliche, but as it chef it really got me out of some of my creative boxes by partnering with these kids and the energy and creativity that they brought to the mix. It was really enjoyable."
The Bollywood Smash salad featured roasted cauliflower, chickpeas and sunflower seeds, while the Northside Fresh Salad has black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
"I think when they roll in on the weekends for day games they have breakfast and then they want something that's light, but powerful, kinda hearty with some whole grains, seeds, all sorts of good energy," he said.
Roots for the Home Team is in section 101 on weekends.
Meanwhile, the Twins held the 10th annual food tour at the ballpark Thursday. They're sticking with the classics from the beginning like The Loon Cafe chili, Murray's beef sandwiches and Kramarczyk's sausage, but they're also adding more vendors to the fold with the Gate 34 Experience.
"We have some existing partnerships that have some new spins on some old favorites, we have some new partners that we're very proud to announce," general manager Peter Spike said.
Rounding out our craft sandwiches, we introduce the Grown-Up Grilled Cheese (Section 114): Smoked cheddar, provolone and marinated tomatoes, served on thick-sliced brioche. -- #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/0hKEjLSjsH
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) March 26, 2019Some of the new concessions include the Soul Bowl with soul food favorites, craft sandwiches and the two-foot long hot dog called the "Boomstick" for new designated hitter Nelson Cruz.
