Farmers markets bloom in Valley

MAT-SU -- More and more people are growing and selling vegetables in Alaska and as they do, the number of farmers markets continues to increase statewide.

Just recently, the state received a $46,000 grant from the federal government to expand the use of farmers markets as direct marketing outlets for Alaska growers.

Douglas Warner, director of the Alaska Division of Agriculture in Alaska, said the grant will be used to promote farmers markets across the state.

"Alaska has had great success in farmers markets, and we are looking to see what we can do to enhance those markets," Warner said. "We want to help the markets organize, and there may also be some opportunity to promote markets and design media to help create public awareness through newspapers and audio presentations."

Warner said the demand for local produce in certain parts of the state is so high that farmers cannot always keep up with consumers.

"There's an increase statewide in Alaska-grown products," Warner said. "In Kodiak, the farmers market is inundated with sell-out situations."

While finding enough growers in the Mat-Su Borough has never been a problem, Warner is working with local officials to promote the existing markets in the Valley, including Palmer's Friday Flings and the Wasilla Farmers Market -- events Warner said grew in popularity this summer.

LeRoi Heaven is president of the Wasilla Knik Historical Society, a group that sponsors and advertises the 9-year-old Wasilla Farmers Market. The market is located behind the Wasilla Public Library, in the historic district of downtown Wasilla.

In past years the Wasilla market has had only four or five tables and a rather meager selection of goods. This year, however, Heaven has seen the market nearly triple in size.

"This summer we have gotten more tourists than in past years," Heaven said, "and jelly and jam sales have increased for tourists as well as pictures and postcards."

Heaven said the Wasilla Farmers Market benefits from close proximity to the Dorothy Page Museum and the Valley Bistro restaurant, which is located in the historic Teeland's Country Store building.

"Tourists stop into the museum or the Valley Bistro and find out about the farmers market," Heaven said. "They get a good lunch crowd at the Bistro and vice versa."

Heaven thinks that having the market surrounded by historic buildings adds appeal.

"I think people enjoy having a market here rather than in a flat parking lot," he said.

Four local farmers have sold produce at the Wasilla market this year, along with other vendors who sold raspberries, blueberries, pickles, sauerkraut and Alaskan items such as bark and ivory carvings, knitted clothing and diamond willow carvings.

"We've even had ducks and rabbits," Heaven said.

The Wasilla market meets every Wednesday, throughout the summer, from noon to 6 p.m. Next year, Heaven plans to expand the market with even more tables.

In Palmer, the Friday Flings market just wrapped up its third and most successful year yet. Gene Jansen, executive director of the Palmer Chamber of Commerce, said Friday Flings have grown more popular with each passing year.

"Word is spreading that this is a place for small businesses to earn money," Jansen said. "We're getting more food vendors and landscapers selling plants and flowers."

The Friday Flings have music each Friday during the market and Jansen said the added tunes are effective in bringing out customers.

Jansen also cited tour bus traffic as a reason for the success of Friday Flings, even though the market was originally intended to serve locals.

"The idea of Friday Flings was more directed to local businesses to entice people to come out of their offices during their lunch hour," Jansen said.

According to Jansen, most Friday Fling farmers are predominantly hobby farmers, with the bulk of Valley farmers still selling at outdoor markets in Anchorage. With the increased popularity of Valley markets, however, this trend may change.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.