Eat Local
Are you hungry for more renewables? Good news! You can eat renewable too! Help strengthen Alaska’s food system by eating local meats and vegetables.
Alaska is geographically isolated and has a limited growing season, which makes Alaskan’s heavily dependent on food imports. Approximately 95% of the food we eat comes from outside Alaska. Our food imports are based on a transportation system reliant on unstable fossil fuel prices. Additionally, Alaska is vulnerable to natural disaster (such as large-scale earthquakes and volcanic eruptions) that threaten Alaska food shipments. According to the Alaska Farm Bureau, if Outside food sources were cut off, Alaska would only have a 3-5 day food supply. http://akfb.fb.org/
Quick Facts:
- Alaskans spend an estimated $2.5 billion per year on food. (Farm Services Agency) http://www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA
- Alaska agriculture supples approximately 5% of the state’s food needs while 95% is imported from other regions around the globe. (US Department of Agriculture) http://www.usda.gov
- If Alaskan’s doubled local food purchases from 5% to 10 % the multiplier effect of $250 million in food dollars would remain in Alaska. (Alaska Food Policy Council) http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dhp/chronic/nutrition/
- Primary concerns following the Alaska 1964 earthquake and tsunamis were food and water access. (National Research Council) http://www.nationalacademies.org/nrc/
ALASKA FARMERS MARKETS
ANCHORAGE
Downtown Market www.anchoragemarkets.com
Anchorage Farmers Market www.anchoragefarmersmarket.org
Center Market www.anchoragemarkets.com
Northway Mall Market www.anchoragemarkets.com
South Anchorage Farmers Market www.southanchoragefarmersmarket.com
Spenard Farmers Market www.spenardfarmersmarket.org
COPPER VALLEY
Copper Valley Farmers Market
Doug Villman (907) 259-5898
Email vollman@cvinternet.net
DELTA JUNCTION
Highway’s End Farmers Market
Jane Hamilton (907) 895-4752
Email Janehamilton99737@yahoo.com
DENALI
Denali Farmers Market
Diane McCown (907) 773-2790
Email ddmccown@mtaonline.net
DILLINGHAM
Mark & Toni Hermann
EAGLE RIVER
Eagle River Farmers Market
Lynn Mattison (907) 696-4839
Email mattison@ak.net
Saturday Eagle River Farmers Market
Arthur Keyes (907) 354-5833
Email amkeyes@mtaonline.net
ESTER
Ester Village Farmers’ and Craft Market
www.esteralaska.com
FAIRBANKS
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
www.tvmarket.com
GLENALLEN
Kenny Lake Harvest
Matt Lorenz (907) 320-1067
Email matt@loveofgardening.net
HAINES
Haines Farmer Market
www.hainesfarmersmarket.org
HOMER
Homer Farmers Market
www.homerfarmersmarket.org
JUNEAU
Juneau Farmers Market
Eva Bornstein (907) 523-2339
Email sustainablejuneau@gmail.com
KASILOF
Kasilof Flea & Farmers Market
Shawna J. Wolk (907) 260-3152
Email swolk2001@yahoo.com
KENAI
Kenai’s Saturday Market
www.visitkenai.com
Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market
Jeff Babitt (907) 252-5712
Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market
Clayton Hillhouse (907) 262-5463
PALMER
Palmer Friday Fling
Stacie Stigar (907) 746-6245
Email fridayfling@mtaonline.net
SITKA
Sitka Farmers Market
www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org
SOLDOTNA
Central Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market
Clayton Hillhouse (907) 262-5463
Email clayton@alaska.net
Soldotna Wednesday Market
Annette Villa (907) 252-7264
Email akvilla9@yahoo.com
Kenai Peninsula Farmers Market<
Jeff Babbitt (907) 252-5712
VALDEZ
Kenny Lake Harvest
Doug Vollman (907) 259-5898
Email vollman@cvinternet.net
WASILLA
Wasilla Farmers Market
M. Scotty Lamkin (907) 376-3829
WILLOW
Willow Farmers Market
Dean Davidson (907) 495-1112
Email ninadean@mtaonline.net
OTHER HELPFUL LINKS
Alaska Center for Environment list of CSAs. http://akcenter.org/sustainable-communities/local-food/resources/alaska-csa-csf-list
Ask Mother Nature: A Conscious Gardeners Guide. Ellen Vande Visse known as the Mat-Su “Compost Queen” shares her expertise on local composting and eco-agriculture. http://www.goodearthgardeningschool.com
Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE) is committed to improving local health, economies, and the environment through its local food campaign. http://www.akcenter.org/sustainable-communities/local-food
Alaska Community Agriculture is an orginazation that emphasizes growing local crops and livestock to sell directly to Alaskans. http://www.alaskacommunityag.org
Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages development of agriculture within Alaska. http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/ag/
Alaska Farm Bureau is determined to improve economies through the expansion of local agriculture. http://www.akfb.fb.org
Alaska Food Policy Council is dedicated to improving Alaska Food Systems. http://www.alaskafoodpolicy.blogspot.com
Alaska Fisheries sustain productive, clean, and healthy fisheries in Alaska. http://www.alaskaseafood.org
Cooperative Extension Service promotes sustainable agriculture through research and education (SARE program). http://www.uaf.alaska.edu/ces/sare/
