By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Mar 24, 2022 at 2:15 PM

Valor Aquaponics, a Southeast Wisconsin-based aquaponics farm, will open a vendor market stall at 3rd Street Market Hall, 275 W. Wisconsin Ave., beginning Friday, March 25 at 11 a.m.

Their new stall, located near the main North entrance, will showcase a display of their aquaponic farming practice, as well as items for sale including herbs, spices, fruits and other smaller-scale produce items.  The vendor will also sell grab-and-go items including mixed greens and vegetables that they grow at their main facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin. [View the full menu of offerings online]

“We farm-raise fish and use their nutrient-rich water to feed the vegetables which in turn cleans the water. Then we recycle that water right back to the fish,” explains owner Patrick Hansen, who combined his passions for fishing and chemistry to launch the business. “Because of this loop system, we use 95% less water than conventional farming.”

Valor Aquaponics, which launched its flagship farm several years ago has also begun collaborating with a Minnesota-based cooperative which works with farms throughout the Midwest, enabling them to sell a variety of products from the region.

For more information on the 3rd Street Market Hall and its vendors, check out our guide to the Downtown food hall.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.