Local Business

New fund for sustainable agriculture hopes to attract and support non-profit start-ups 

Madison-based coffee co-op introduced a new fair trade label  to the U.S. market this month

Ale Asylum's new facility at 2002 Pankratz StreetMadtown Nut Brown ale just got a little bit taller.

Ale Asylum Brewery's new facility is up and running, with the first bottled beer moving off the lines last Tuesday. Madison's namesake nut brown was the Asylum's inaugeral ale to roll off the new bottler.

After outgrowing their Kinsman Street location, the brewery built a much larger facility at 2002 Pankratz St. where the beer is now flowing like...beer.

This summer a small group of young men from Vera Court Neighborhood Center’s Spark Program began their first jobs. While it can be difficult for many teens to find employment, these young men spent their summer selling soda and hotdogs for the Madison Mallards, who employ over 350 game day staff members each summer.

Brian Sather, director of food and beverage for the Mallards, explained, “Most of those positions are filled by high school kids, and it’s usually their first job.”

At the start of October, Madison restaurants made a special effort to serve meals with locally sourced and seasonally-available fresh produce.

Research, Education, Action, and Policy (REAP) Food Group organized the effort and called the three-day event Local Harvest: Taste of the Town. Ten restaurants participated on Oct. 2-4.