Local bounty of produce available each week at Wasilla Farmers Market

WASILLA — The summer harvest is making its way to vendor booths at the Wasilla Farmers Market.

A variety of locally grown produce and other farm-fresh products are available each week at the annual summer marketplace in downtown Wasilla. Many people across the Mat-Su Valley visit this market every year and have come to count on the fresh produce it’s known for.

“It’s just fun and who doesn’t like fresh vegetables?” Longtime Wasilla Farmers Market vendor Cecilia Wisthoff said.

Susan Bush and her husband Eric oversee the market on behalf of the Wasilla Knik Historical Society. She said they have four different farms selling goods this season, and to expect more crops as the rest of the summer unfolds.

“Every week they bring in a little bit more,” Bush said.

According to Bush, keeping the ‘Farmers’ in Wasilla Farmers Market is one of their highest priorities, noting that farms always get the first bids for vendor space.

“Because the vegetables are what brings the people to the market,” Bush said.

There’s a variety of vendors at the Wasilla Farmers Market that sell handmade and locally produced items ranging from jewelry and upcycled gifts to homemade sauce and dessert dishes.

Bush said they have a total of three food trucks which helps their overall foot traffic. She noted that they still have room for three or four more vendors but they’re limiting their food truck count to where it’s at now. She said it’s been a busy season and the favorable weather has really helped.

“Everybody’s doing really good this year,” Bush said. “We’ve been lucky, no rain.”

Willow Branch Farm owner Amber Byler said they’ve had plenty of customers so far.

“It’s been really good. It seems busier this year,” Byler said.

Thanks to greenhouses and dutiful preparation, local farmers can get a leg up on Alaska’s infamously short growing season. Byler said she was at the first market of the season with tomatoes in hand.

Willow Branch Farm sells a spectrum of produce, jams, jellies, and baked goods. She said the cucumber harvest recently came in and they have several more crops coming in the next few weeks.

“A lot of people know about this market and we get a lot of regulars coming through. That’s always fun,” Byler said.

Byler loves working outside, baking, and socializing with people.

“So get to do a little bit of everything I love to do,” Byler said with a laugh.

Looking long-term, Byler said that she would like to expand their baking section. She said that she plans to keep the family tradition going every summer.

“As long as I can find help, I still plan to be here,” Byler said.

Byler said they exclusively set up at the Wasilla Farmers Market. She said her mother Crystal Byler started this annual summer tradition about 15 years ago and she took it over two years ago.

“I love the fact that we’re like a big family. We’re friends with all the vendors,” Byler said. “I think it’s also important to get the word out that we’re here and what we all have because we have a large variety of stuff here. It’s fun to walk through the markets and see what everyone’s got.”

The Wasilla Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Wednesday near Wonderland Park. The market runs through the second week of September.

For more information, call 907-357-1464 or visit wkhsociety.org/wasilla-farmer-s-market.html.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com