Photo by Deb Gau Klein Foods is a local business with a long history. Steve Klein said his father, Ray Klein, started the family business with a honey farm on land located where the Marshall Area YMCA is today.

MARSHALL — Steve Klein said he and his family are frequent visitors to the Minnesota State Fair. But they’re not only there to have fun.

For more than half a century, Klein Foods has helped supply honey products for a booth at the fair.

“My dad started supplying honey in 1960,” Klein said. “It’s been fun. I remember as a kid, driving with my dad to the State Fair to make deliveries.”

This year, Klein Foods was recognized for its long-time participation in the State Fair. On Aug. 30, Steve was presented with the Minnesota State Fair 50 Year Award at a ceremony at the fair bandshell.

The 50 Year Award is given to individuals who have participated in the State Fair for at least 50 years as an employee, exhibitor, vendor or volunteer.

Klein Foods is a third-generation business based in Marshall. Klein Foods produces honey as well as products like fudge, barbecue sauce and handmade soaps. Their retail store, Walnut Grove Mercantile, also offers other foods and gifts.

Steve Klein said the story of his family’s business — and its ties to the fair — started with his father, Ray Klein.

“The starting point really is when my dad graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1943,” Klein said.

Ray was introduced to beekeeping through a class at the university’s agriculture school, and it became a lifelong passion for him.

“His first job was in Marshall, and he worked at the bee farm,” Klein said.

Ray later went on to purchase the Marshall Honey Farm, which was located on land where the Marshall Area YMCA stands today.

Ray was also active with the Minnesota Honey Producers Association, and helped establish the Minnesota Honey Booth at the State Fair. Every year, the MNHPA manages the booth, which offers a variety of honey products.

Revenue from the fair booth helps support the MNHPA’s mission, Steve Klein said. The association works to help educate the public about beekeeping, and the role bees play in pollinating crops. They also work with the University of Minnesota, which does beekeeping research.

Klein Foods has come back to the State Fair every year since 1960, except when the COVID pandemic canceled the fair, Klein said. The delivery trips to the fair have continued with Steve and his own son, Nick Klein.

“It’s really a family tradition,” Steve said.

It takes a lot of honey to supply the State Fair booth. The Kleins said this year they delivered many cases of products like honey, honey cremes and beeswax soap. And the Kleins aren’t the only honey producers at the fair — producers from around the state are featured at the Minnesota Honey Booth.

It’s fun to see State Fair visitors at the booth, Klein said.

“We are big fairgoers,” he said of his family. “Whenever we go, we always survey the booth.”

Watching people try the Honey Booth’s samples was also a way to get ideas about what customers were interested in.

“We kind of stand back and watch,” Klein said. “Are they going to ask to try one of our products?”

Klein Foods was one of 21 recipients of the 50 Year Award for 2025. Klein said he was surprised at the number of people who watched the ceremony at the State Fair bandshell. Some of the other award recipients this year included the University of Minnesota and WCCO TV.

“We had some interesting company,” he said.

Steve was presented with a plaque, and the name of Klein Foods will be added to a permanent plaque in the State Fair’s Administration Building.

“They will record us for history, you might say,” he said.

Klein said it was positive to reflect on the fact that Klein Foods has been around for a long time. But receiving the 50 Year Award also meant that his family’s business was part of an even longer history.

“The tradition of the State Fair is really long,” he said. “It’s exciting to be part of that heritage.”