Whether it's "gourmet" Alaska honey, specialty pasta or tasty macarons just in time for Administrative Professional Day, the Center Market is the place to be this week.
The twice-weekly market is always packed. It is open Wednesday and Saturday at the Mall at Sears.
Earthworks Farm will have a long list of items.
"We'll have flavorful 'gourmet' honey from the Matanuska Valley and our beeswax and honey bath and body care line," said owner Dee Barker. "Summer is about to kick into high gear, and we're already getting dirty in the field and garden work. To clean up afterwards, we created new offerings in our soap line. Have delectable fun in the bath with a thick slice of our 'Bundt Soap,' which we poured into a Bundt cake mold and scented with lemon and ginger essential oils; or try our 'Pot of Gold' colored with gold mica and scented with honey and chocolate."
La Grassa, the pasta experts, is unveiling another new pasta this week -- vegan pea and pine nut pesto ravioli. Other options include vegan basil strozzapreti; Alaska roasted parsnip, goat cheese and herb ravioli; asparagus and fontina ravioli; and original and spinach hand-cut noodles, available as fettuccine, tagliatelle and pappardelle.
Sweet Caribou will be at the Center Market this Wednesday with macarons so you can "grab a treat to say thank you for those you can't live without on Administrative Professionals Day," suggests James Strong. Sweet Caribou's Wednesday flavors include Fred Flintstone, passionfruit-orange-guava, pistachio chocolate, red velvet, chocolate mint, birthday cake and triple lemon. The cupcake lineup includes Alaskan carrot cake, red velvet and chocolate peanut butter. Saturday's macaroon lineup includes PB&J, ginger lime, orange creamsicle, dairy-free chocolate pomegranate, raspberry lemonade and pistachio chocolate.
Farm 779 will be at both markets, despite keeping busy on the farm. "Spring is here!" said Julie Meer. "We have two hens brooding in the hen house, the rhubarb is up and the iris are peeking through the soil. No sign of peonies yet, but it is only late April."
Farm 779 will be at both markets this week with a complete lineup of coconut kefirs, ginger and turmeric kombucha, beet kvass, three varieties of kraut made exclusively with Alaska grown sustainable and organic vegetables, snacks and body-care products.
"Our coconut, bee-based rosemary magnesium blend is perfect for sun exposure," Meer said. "Add the healing properties of our bee products and the 'happy mineral' magnesium and you've got a great new choice in summer skin care."
Alex Davis' A.D. Farm will be at both markets will his full lineup of pork items, including chops, bratwurst, loin roast and sausage. He also has storage carrots and potatoes, along with eggs, Alaska Sprouts items and Alaska Flour Co. barley products.
Rempel Family Farm will be at Saturday's market with carrots, beets, 10 varieties of potatoes, daikon radishes, parsnips and green cabbage, along with hormone-free yak meat. Duane Clark will be at Wednesday's market, and will have his beef, yak, lamb, honey, salsa and other items in the Valley on both Friday and Saturday. Mosquito Mama will be at both markets this week.
Pop-up for pups
Drool Central is at a pair of pop-up locations this week. On Wednesday, look for the treats and dog meals at Alaska K9 Aquatics, 549 W. International Airport Road. On Saturday, look for Drool Central at the new pet boutique AK Bark, 1921 W. Dimond Blvd. Both events are noon to 4 p.m.
Local farmers markets
Monday in the Valley: Depot Farm Market, noon-6 p.m., Palmer Depot
Wednesday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Friday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Saturday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, noon-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.