Heritage House to begin carrying Montana-produced groceries

Beginning Aug. 18, Heritage House will be expanding their Made and Grown in Montana offerings to include grocery items. The expansion is possible due to a $25,000 Business Innovation Grant through the State of Montana that was awarded to the Vallers and their growing business.

"Heritage House began when we saw a need to promote Lincoln and surrounding area artisans, and then with the need to provide quality animal feed through our Feed Barn. Now we see the need to grow and support the community with top-of-the-line Montana food items at affordable prices." said Jason Valler.

They saw the need more clearly when COVID-19 first hit and they realized the need to have as much available locally as possible, and for Lincoln to become more self-sufficient.

Working with and buying directly from local small business owners and producers of Montana-made items is one of the ways they will be able to keep costs down and have affordably priced items. They will also be utilizing direct drop-offs of inventory from merchants and arranging pick-ups from vendors by combining their trips into town to pick up supplies for Valler Coffee.

Some items they will be carrying include Mannix Grassfed Beef, Dixon Melons, Kalispell Kreamery milk, yogurt and ice cream, Montana grown chicken and pork, Montana raw honey, Montana-made juices and fresh produce. They will also carry certified gluten-free products, bulk beans, pastas, flour, Montana laundry soap and personal care items.

"One of the really interesting things is that as we started doing research, we found there is really a lot locally based good products from small businesses, and it's been really fun to be working directly with the people who are personally making or responsible for the items we'll be carrying." Tiana Valler said.

Their Feed Barn currently carries feed for horses, goats, chickens and guinea pigs, as well as grain-free food for dogs and mineral blocks for livestock.

As they move forward, their plan for the Feed Barn and groceries is to grow with the community needs; to carry things that people in Lincoln want and need. If an individual has specific items they would like to see carried at Heritage House, contact the Vallers directly at 406-362-4444.

Hours for Valler Coffee Bar, the Feed Barn, Heritage House Market and the Artisan Gallery are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. All are located at 129 Sucker Creek Road.