A Food Oasis in Fargo

By Pete Nielson
Food and Wine Editor

There is an oasis located in the heart of downtown Fargo. It is located between 10th Street and North University. Once a Milwaukee train depot, it has been transformed into Fargo’s first natural food store. Will Hoglund had small beginnings in a basement on Roberts Street with just cardboard barrels for displays and a few customers. The remodeled train depot boasts eco-friendly energy, but Will admits that the building does consume more energy than what is produced by the visible wind turbine; every little bit helps. During the winter you can browse the aisles in warmth from the wood fired stove. This isn’t just a façade to make the customers feel like they are shopping at a store with a soul; it is the soul of the business, the belief that we can coexist with nature and our environment and not be the controller of it.

HPR spoke with Will Hoglund about Tochi’s for this article. Just a few words into the conversation and it felt like a history lesson. While he spoke Will was making a macrobiotic supper including steamed chard and spicy tofu, yet more reassuring evidence that the owner truly believes in what the business preaches. Will spoke about the start of Tochi and the battle to keep the building and the property as original as possible. He fought the city to keep the cobblestone that surrounds the building when water mains were being planned for the towers that are on the opposite side of the block. Speaking to Will was a trip through Fargo downtown history and politics. There are just some people that you know you will enjoy conversing with and Will is one of them; just like walking through Tochi itself: so may interesting things to see and learn.
 
Tochi has been that oasis for many new Americans in Fargo looking for that taste of home through the 80’s and 90’s, and before the largest customer base came from students and immigrants searching for specialty ingredients that were not available at their local supermarkets. Tochi was one of the first stores to offer Asian spices and ingredients along with Eastern European and Indian groceries. These specialties along with natural chemical free bulk goods could make anyone a happy chef. One can only imagine how families must have felt being able to finally make dishes that were staples from their home countries. Now with the many markets that are available in the FM area Tochi has seen a drop in its ethnic food sales over the years. Tochi still has many loyal followers who search the shelves for the gourmet ethnic ingredients for those long lost dishes.

Health foods is a broad term, but we will use it for the purposes of explaining what types of spices, herbs, and bulk ingredients you can find on the shelves. With that being said, trust that there are some great chocolates and sweet dried fruits to be had. I have made many a purchase of rolled oats and quinoa, which you have seen in past recipes and articles. When my cupboards are getting a little barren I will stock up with well-priced dried goods and fantastic fair trade coffee. There is a table that sits between the front area and north part of the store that, if you make it there early, you can find fresh produce from the Hoglund Farm. The coolers and freezers have everything from premade burritos to farm fresh eggs and Kimchee (a personal favorite). Temphe, tofu, and veggie burgers are just the start of what can be found once you start to peer into the frost covered doors on the freezers and coolers. For the specialty diet, such as gluten free, Tochi has many products to suit your needs. It has always been known that Tochi’s will also do everything they can to order items that are not on the shelves. 

Behind the counter and beside it, you can see an array of mason jars that have all sorts of dried herbs and spices, even French green clay. For the aroma therapist there are essential oils and incense and bath salts to soothe the soul. On the bookshelves you can find literature on everything from dietary supplements to brewing beer and wine.

Tochi has also spawned many projects in my house. Some of these projects have been completed; some are still in research stages. I have started my education on brewing because of the kits and literature that they sell, I’ve also looked into making yogurt and kombucha (an effervescent tea-based beverage). I have even purchased all the oils necessary to make my own soap and the vegetable rennet to make my own cheese. Tochi’s is a mecca for people who wants to be directly involved in the products they use; which most of us take for granted. And the staff at Tochi’s is always helpful with every question you have along the way.

It has been 40 years since Tochi first opened its doors in a basement on Robert Street. This Saturday there will be a birthday celebration with giveaways and door prizes. Go down and wish Tochi a happy birthday, enjoy some free coffee, and see this hidden food oasis nestled like a jewel in the heart of Downtown Fargo.
     
Happy Birthday Tochi; may you have many more.

Eat well; your body will appreciate it.

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If You Go:

What: Tochi Turns 40!
Where: 1111 2nd Ave N, Fargo, ND 58102-4608
When: Saturday, September 10 • 10:00am - 6:00pm
Info: Check out the event info on Facebook: http://tiny.cc/Tochi40