Matanuska Community Farmers Market, a new venue for local growers

PALMER — The Matanuska Community Farmers Market is officially underway, offering farm fresh produce and other locally sourced food items each week in downtown Palmer near the United Protestant Presbyterian Church.

Brandi Joe Nyberg and Phoebe Autry of Sauntering Roots Farm and Zoe Fuller of Singing Nettle Farm established this new market to promote local agriculture and locally sourced goods.

"You get to know the people that are growing your food," Nyberg said.

The first market was held Wednesday, June 14. During the second week of the market, Fuller said they've had a great start so far.

"It's been going great. It's been super successful. Things are bustling. It's exciting, Fuller said.

A variety of local vendors participate in the market each week. Trillium Kell helps run the booth for her mother Anne-Korinne Kell's small business, the Sun Circle Farm.

Trillium said they grow a variety of produce and flowers that they sell at various markets. She said that they really appreciate the Matanuska Community Farmers Market for focusing solely on the farming community.

"We love it," Trillium said. "Everyone here is a part of actually growing and producing what they're selling and it's a really cool market because of it."

About 10 to 12 vendors on average will be participating every week through the end of September, according to Nyberg. She said they’ve had a really good response from vendors and community members.

“Everybody's been having great sales. It seems like everybody wants to support their local farmers,” Nyberg said. “It seems like a lot of people are just so thrilled the market is here… We would love to keep seeing more people every week.”

Nyberg said that Palmer is an ideal place to have this market. She said there’s a diversity of local farms offering high-quality goods and supportive community members.

“I think it's one of the most beautiful places you could ever choose to live,” Nyberg said.

Looking forward, Nyberg said they want to invite more vendors while keeping the focus on farms and food.

“We would love to keep going every summer,” Nyberg said. “We really want to feed our communities.

The Matanuska Community Farmers Market runs from 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday until the last Wednesday of September.

For more information, visit matanuskacommunityfarmersmarket.com.

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