South Anchorage Farmers Market moves into greenhouse so customers can shop through October

The South Anchorage Farmers Market will move into a greenhouse and extend its season through October after a summer of increased sales, the organizer said.

The market will continue 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturdays in October in the Bell’s Nursery greenhouse, 13700 Specking Ave. Organizer Arthur Keyes said the greenhouse is filled with plants, giving customers the chance to “actually see their food growing.”

Keyes said the 2020 season of the market seemed less crowded because of the pandemic, but vendors saw higher sales overall.

“People were limiting their time at the market,” he said. “They came in, did some serious shopping and then left.”

The pandemic also underscored the importance of supporting local businesses and provided a way for people to purchase goods during times when grocery stores were running low on supplies, Keyes said.

The market encourages customers to follow pandemic safety guidelines, including social distancing and wearing a face covering. Keyes said the greenhouse is a safe place with plenty of room to spread out.

“It’s as close to being outside as you can get,” he said.