What would the story of food producers in Anchorage be without Grow North Farm? It is such a celebration of community, farmers from down the street and across the world, coming together in a shared space to grow food for the neighborhood. From the winding line of folks waiting for their CSA share (including Grace, Advocacy Manager at Food Bank of Alaska), to the SNAP Market Match flyers translated in 10 languages, to an elder with her new Seniors benefit QR code printed in hand, to market kids playing to the sound of live music, it was beautiful!
And…oh yes, the PRODUCE, especially the greens familiar to friends from around the world (see my photo of dodo at $5 a bunch), were beautiful too.
As I approached the welcome tent, I found joyful and busy Market Manager Ceceilia with her hands literally full. Toddler on hip, she was working to explain, across languages, the new $15 boost that AFMA added this year to the SNAP Market Match program, orienting a new welcome booth attendant on her first day to the distribution of ‘market bucks,’ helping price FIG (Fresh International Gardens) produce and spices, providing tech support for farmers whose apps to accept Apple Pay and Venmo were acting up, and more. Just behind her was the lovely veggie mural she painted on the farm shed. It made me pause to appreciate just how many roles a market manager plays holding everything together, especially on opening day.
I looked up to see Leo from the Food Bank of Alaska arriving by motorcycle. We arranged to meet at markets this summer to chat about how to keep Farm to Food Banks work alive after 6/30/26 (following the USDA cuts of last year). We’d love to see a way for market shoppers across Anchorage, to join local foundations and corporations, to donate money to buy food at the end of market days for local food bank donations. Leo, who is the Food Donation and Inventory Control Coordinator at Food Bank of Alaska, shared last month that fresh food donations were at a historic low (suspected reasons range from the price of food to AI ordering systems), and we’re exploring ways to support Alaska’s farmers are part of the answer.
Grow North Farm, with support from CSS, already has a mechanism to get remaining market day produce to the food pantry. Like so much of what they do, the program provides a great example for others to follow. Like their partnership with the Anchorage Public Library that brings storytime to the market every Thursday at 5pm. And their volunteers who can do everything from help weed to play with kids at the GNF farmer plots. And the offer of recipes to use foods in ways traditional for our new neighbors expands everyone’s horizons. It is hard to think of another market in Alaska offering as many food access and equity programs- while the very concept of the market is to support refugee growers with business opportunities while they support the neighborhood with fresh food.
I came home with everything from cucumbers to sorrel and especially excited to try the wild mushroom mole sauce I bought. As for the pistachio baklava and chapati za ngozi (Kenyan flatbread), they didn’t ever make it home (so yummy I ate them on the drive).
Thanks to Ceceilia and the Grow North Farm team for all you do for Anchorage!
