Each award is highlighted in the 2026 Minnesota Pork Congress magazine. Read the full magazine here.
The Minnesota Pork Board recognizes Lindsey Loken as this year’s Pork Promoter of the Year award recipient.
For Lindsey Loken, pork promotion is rooted in everyday connection. It happens across the butcher counter, through hands-on education, on social media, and through conversations with customers who are curious, cautious, or looking for guidance.
Through her work as founder and owner of Blondies Butcher Shop, Loken has become a trusted and relatable voice for pork, one that meets consumers where they are and invites them to learn without judgment. Loken is the 2026 Minnesota Pork Promoter of the Year, recognized for her ability to connect consumers to pork in a way that is approachable, educational and grounded in trust.
A Background Rooted in Passion and Curiosity
Loken’s passion for animals began at a young age. Growing up on her parents’ hobby farm near Wanamingo, she spent time caring for animals, and rode along with her mother, a veterinary technician, developing an early appreciation for animal health and hands-on care. After high school, she studied animal science and veterinary technology, eventually working as a veterinary technician. She spent time working on a ranch in Montana, further shaping her understanding of agriculture and helping clarify the path she wanted to pursue.
In addition to her work as a veterinary technician, Loken also served as an emergency medical technician (EMT), a role that further reinforced her commitment to service and her ability to remain steady in high-pressure situations. While the work was rewarding, the demands of emergency response and emergency veterinary care eventually led her to reflect on what she wanted her long-term career to look like.
“I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I knew I still wanted to work with animals and food in a meaningful way,” she said.
Around that time, her parents mentioned that a local butcher shop back home in Minnesota was for sale. Loken decided to move home and take the leap. She spent time learning butchery skills, asking questions and immersing herself in the craft. In 2014, she officially took over Wanamingo Meats as the fourth owner, a business that would later evolve into Blondies Butcher Shop, a woman-owned, consumer-facing butcher shop in Wanamingo known for its bright pink exterior and welcoming approach.
Today, Loken owns and operates Blondies with a focus on education, transparency and connection. She has created an environment designed to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, where questions are encouraged and learning happens at the counter. Through in-shop conversations, classes and digital content, Loken works to make butchery approachable, understandable and fun, whether she’s helping customers choose a cut, sharing practical cooking tips, or highlighting the farm-to-table journey behind the meat.
Building Blondies: Education at the Core
Blondies Butcher Shop officially rebranded in 2020, a year that would change the trajectory of the business in unexpected ways. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Loken found herself at the center of a renewed consumer interest in local food, meat sourcing and freezer stocking. What began as a small, value-driven business quickly became a trusted resource for customers seeking reassurance and knowledge during an uncertain time.
“When our family was facing depopulation in 2020, Lindsey stepped up and custom processed hundreds of hogs to help farms like ours provide protein to hungry customers,” Mike Patterson, local Kenyon pig farmer, said. “I will be forever grateful to Lindsey and her team for stepping up when it truly mattered.”
Loken leaned into education, explaining cuts, cooking methods, sourcing practices and how modern meat production works. Rather than overwhelming customers with technical language, she focused on clarity and comfort.
“A lot of people just don’t know,” she said. “And if you remove the intimidation, they’re actually excited to learn.”
Blondies became known not only for high-quality meat, but for its welcoming atmosphere. Customers were encouraged to ask questions, try new cuts, and better understand where their food comes from, including pork.
Promoting Pork Through Everyday Conversations
As a pork promoter, Loken’s strength lies in her ability to translate complex topics into everyday language. Roughly 90 percent of her customers come from urban or suburban backgrounds, many with little direct connection to farming. For Loken, that represents an opportunity.
Through in-store conversations, classes, demonstrations and social media, she helps customers understand pork production, animal care, and the role farmers play in producing safe, wholesome food. She emphasizes that pork doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating, and that enjoying it doesn’t require expert-level knowledge.
Her approach is intentionally judgment-free.
“This is a no-judgment zone,” Loken said. “People just don’t know, and that’s okay.”
By creating a space where curiosity is welcomed, she bridges the gap between farmers and consumers in a way that feels authentic and lasting.
Expanding Pork’s Reach Beyond the Counter
Loken’s influence extends well beyond the walls of Blondies Butcher Shop. Through social media and television appearances, as well as educational content and collaborations with farmers and food professionals, she continues to reach consumers who may never step foot into a butcher shop but are still forming opinions about pork.
Her platforms are intentionally approachable, blending humor, practicality and clear information to demystify meat. Rather than focusing solely on product, Loken emphasizes understanding of how pork fits into everyday meals, how animals are raised, and why production practices matter. That approach has helped make pork feel accessible to a generation of consumers seeking transparency and confidence in their food choices.
“Lindsey has grown her presence on social media by sharing all things meat and consistently promoting pork, while also becoming a trusted voice on local television through cutting and cooking demonstrations,” Patterson said.
Loken also recognizes that promotion is most effective when it reflects real life. She speaks openly about convenience, budgeting and cooking realities, acknowledging that today’s consumers balance busy schedules with a desire to eat well. By meeting those needs honestly, she helps keep pork relevant and relatable.
“Lindsey has an incredible ability to connect with customers and viewers through her online videos,” said Pam Voelkel, director of events and promotions for Minnesota Pork. “She is authentic and genuine, what you see on screen is exactly who she is in person. Unafraid to tackle tough questions, Lindsey approaches conversations about how food is raised with clarity and relatability.”
Through thoughtful engagement and a consistent presence, Loken continues to strengthen trust in pork and reinforce its place at the center of the table.
A Modern Voice for a Changing Audience
Loken is helping redefine what pork promotion looks like for a new generation of consumers. As a woman in the meat industry, she brings both visibility and credibility to a space that has historically been male-dominated, while remaining deeply committed to education and connection.
In addition to her work at Blondies, Loken has also shared her expertise as a guest lecturer with the University of Minnesota, offering students a real-world perspective on meat science, retail education and consumer engagement. Together, these efforts reflect a broader shift within agriculture, where more women are leading, educating and shaping how food is discussed and where expertise, personality and leadership work hand in hand.
Overcoming Challenges with Purpose
Like many small business owners, Loken has navigated significant challenges, from COVID disruptions to the financial realities of being self-employed. She is transparent about the difficulty of building a business where “the heart goes into the work, not the margins.”
Yet she remains motivated by the impact.
“There’s a gut feeling that keeps you going,” she said. “You wake up, your stomach hurts, but you still show up because it matters.”
For Loken, success is measured not only in sales, but in moments of understanding: a customer trying pork they’d previously avoided, a family learning how to cook a new cut, or a conversation that shifts perception.
A Well-Deserved Recognition
Lindsey Loken’s impact as a pork promoter is rooted in trust. She doesn’t rely on slogans or shortcuts. Instead, she builds understanding one conversation at a time through education, transparency and respect.
In an era where consumers are asking more questions than ever, Loken provides thoughtful answers. Through Blondies Butcher Shop, she has created a modern platform for pork promotion that resonates with today’s audience while honoring the work of those who raise pigs.
Her ability to connect people to pork with authenticity and approachability makes her a deserving recipient of the Minnesota Pork Promoter of the Year award.
