Spring is looking great.
Another week and another farmers market opens. There is loads of sunshine to get things growing. And it's time to get serious about fresh salmon!
This Saturday, the Spenard Farmers Market joins the growing list of outdoor farmers markets. The Spenard market is in the Chilkoot Charlie's parking lot.
And farmers of all sorts are excited with the current weather.
"It's looking like this week of sunshine will fully usher in summer," says Sarah Bean of Arctic Organics and the Anchorage Farmers Market. "We're ahead of schedule in the field thanks to the lack of breakup. The soils have been workable since late April, and our crops are going in a week or two early.
"We are hoping the extra time to prepare will translate to success in more ways than simply being early. The little bit of rain we received Monday did wonders for helping with the early field preparation and seed germination too!"
Dee Barker of Earthworks Farm says the bees are getting busy.
"We have 10 hives of bees launching into 'wilds' this farming season," she says. "They seem to like the poplar and birch pollens and resins; and there seems to be a bit of the birch/poplar scent in the honey we offer from the Matanuska Valley."
Dannon Southall of 10th & M Seafoods says fresh Copper River salmon should be available in just a week.
"The seafood world is abuzz now that Fish and Game has announced the opening of the Copper River fishery," Southall says. "Copper River opens on Monday the 16th at 7 a.m. with the fisherman having 12 hours to fish. As long as everything goes according to plan and the weather holds, we are hoping to have fish in here on Wednesday."
Southall says for those who can't wait for the Copper River beauties, there are fresh troll-caught kings from Southeast, both as fillets and head-on fish that are about 12 pounds apiece. Halibut and cod from the Gulf of Alaska are available too; the 10- to 20-pound halibut are $10.95 per pound, while the cod is $5.95 a pound for fillets. Fresh Prince William Sound spot and side stripe shrimp also will be in the store this week, Southall says.
Following are some highlights from local farmers markets:
South Anchorage Farmers Market
Nearly 20 vendors are lined up for the second outdoor South Anchorage Farmers Market of the season. Plant starts, honey, macarons and Alaska seafood are some of the highlights.
La Grassa will be back at the market with a large selection of fresh, hand-cut pastas. "We hand-cut all of our fresh noodles to order right at the market," Rebecca Reed says. "This means we can cut anything from angel hair to pappardelle and even sheets for lasagna."
The pasta selection includes original, lemon pepper and spinach organic noodles; a new mushroom gnocchetti; vegan basil strozzapreti; asparagus and fontina cheese ravioli; vegan pea and pine nut pesto ravioli; Alaska roasted parsnip, goat cheese and herb ravioli; and kale and feta ravioli.
Sweet Caribou will have several macaron flavors including strawberry lemonade, bananas Foster, rose lychee, lavender milk chocolate, hug mocha and maple bacon. Cupcake options include chocolate-salted caramel, German chocolate and raspberry chocolate cupcakes.
Earthworks Farm will be at the market with a fresh batch of lotions made from beeswax, honey, coconut oil and sweet almond oil.
Other vendors include: Gray Owl Farm with flowers and flower baskets; Flattop Farm with tomato plants; Drool Central with gourmet dog treats; Farm 779 with fermented foods, snacks and topical oils; Alaska Pasta; Blue Poppy; Northern Flowers; Arctic Choice Seafood; Mat-Valley Meats; MaryJane's Bread; Glacier Valley Farm; Sweet and Sassy Kettle Corn; Joan's Jams & Jellies; Non-Essentials; and All-Wood brand pellets.
Anchorage Farmers Market
At least eight vendors are lined up for the market. The list includes: Arctic Organics, Bushes Bunches, Matanuska Garden, Northern Flowers, The Persistent Farmer, Seldovitch Farm, Alaska Sea Ag fertilizers and Turkey Red baked goods.
Bean says Arctic Organics will have fresh arugula and lettuce from the greenhouse, along with storage carrots. Additionally, they will have vegetable and flower seedlings, a large selection of northern-climate tomato plants and hanging flower baskets.
Center Market
The twice-weekly market is still buzzing on Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Mall at Sears.
Judy Underwood says the Bannock Shack is at the market with its traditional fry bread and with some new organic power cookies. "They are loaded with seeds, real chocolate and other raw ingredients," she says. "No wheat, no dairy and no nuts! Great snack to take hiking, on trips, biking or for anytime."
A.D. Farm will have the usual selection of pork items (bratwurst, chops, loin roast, ground pork, sausage and other cuts); carrots and four varieties of potatoes; eggs; Alaska Sprouts items; and Alaska Flour Co. barley products on both Wednesday and Saturday.
Wednesday-only vendors include Farm 779, Sweet Caribou, La Grassa, Mosquito Mama and Duane's Country Health Foods.
CSA Subscription Season
Bean says Arctic Organics is still accepting members for its Community Supported Agriculture vegetable subscription for the summer.
The first harvest is June 15. The season ends Sept. 21.
"A subscription will provide an abundance of produce for a two-to-four member household, and many subscriptions are shared by two households," Bean says. "The contents of each week's delivery will vary according to which vegetables are ripe for the picking, including old standards like carrots, Swiss chard, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, onions, celery, spinach, zucchini, potatoes, fresh herb bouquets, salad greens, as well as specialty items like purple and green cauliflower, broccoli Romanesco, kohlrabi, Chioggia beets, leeks, Easter egg radishes, flavorful salad greens and even a share of the apple harvest!"
Vegetable deliveries are made to a central location weekly in the Valley, Eagle River and Anchorage.
Visit the vegetable subscription page at arcticorganics.com for more information.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Local farmers markets
Monday in the Valley: Colony Farmers Market, noon-7 p.m., Palmer Depot
Wednesday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Wednesday in Fairbanks: Tanana Valley Farmers Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road
Friday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer
Saturday in Anchorage: Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 15th Avenue and Cordova Street; Anchorage Market & Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Third Avenue and E Street; Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; South Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., O'Malley Sports Center; Spenard Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 2555 Spenard Road
Saturday in Fairbanks: Tanana Valley Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road
Sunday in Anchorage: Anchorage Market & Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Third Avenue and E Street
Sunday in Fairbanks: Tanana Valley Farmers Market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 2600 College Road