Residents of the Twin Cities have been wronged. On June 1, when everyone else in the nation was celebrating National Doughnut Day, we Minnesotans were forced to go without. With cupcakeries going the way of Starbucks, thank goodness for the Donut Cooperative, a project started by Dawn Lee and Laura Kennedy. Dedicated to bringing high-quality pastries to a town used to sub-par commercial cake doughnuts, the cooperative aims to use the best local organic ingredients from small farms and suppliers.


The business touts its use of Crystal Ball Farm products (from Wisconsin), which include cream-top milk, butter and fresh Meyer lemons - and even plans to provide bicycle delivery within the Twin Cities.

The doughnuts aren't the only original part of the women's effort, though. In addition to participating in mini fundraisers (one is being held at the Cult Status Gallery July 9), the founders are using a new online service called Kickstarter. Still in beta, Kickstarter is a "new way to fund and follow creativity," and it encourages subscribers to keep in touch with projects that interest them.

With flavors including peanut butter and jelly and maple bacon, along with with vegan options, the Donut Cooperative could very possibly be the most exciting thing to hit the Twin Cities since Brett Favre. Head to their Kickstarter site to donate money (they're eyeing a place in the Longfellow neighborhood) and help get the ball - er, doughnut - rolling.

Check out The Donut Coooperative on Facebook.