In late January, two area businesses, Siren Shrub Co. and Whitefeather Organics, were featured on the premiere episode of Wisconsin Public Television’s Wisconsin Foodie program.

Siren Shrub, a women-owned beverage company based in Stevens Point, was the main focus of the episode, illustrating how the business bends the traditional business model in exchange for one that builds community wealth.

According to company co-founder Mindy McCord, “Shrubs are a sophisticated mixer dating back to the 1800s, made from apple cider vinegar, a natural sugar, and a fruit, root, or herb that create a concentrate. Shrubs are used a splash at a time to craft complex delicious flavors with or without the addition of alcohol. From field to bottle to store shelves, we make all our decisions through a value lens and believe that the quality of our shrubs reflect that!”

Siren Shrub partners with several Wisconsin-based businesses, including local growers Whitefeather Organics, which grows basil and lemongrass for the shrubs. That operation was also featured on the episode.

McCord said that, because of its Wisconsin-sourced ingredients, each bottle represents a Wisconsin farm partnership. “Our shrub concentrates are produced in Mineral Point,” she said. “Our sparkling shrub is produced in Clintonville. We work with Midwest-based distributors focused on small shops and not big box stores, and we produce bi-monthly collaboration flavors where a percentage of the proceeds go to support Wisconsin-based causes.”