Welcome to the AFMA Blog

As most of our beautiful farmers markets wind down for the summer, I am writing to say THANK YOU to all our farmers, market managers (many of whom are volunteers), and customers who made the 84 markets in Alaska come alive this year! AFMA is so happy to be here to support you and we…

Coming home from the market with beautiful carrots in hand, my 10-year old said “why are the carrots from the farmers markets SO much better than the ones from the grocery store? Look, these carrots just GLOW.” I asked if I could share that lovely sentiment here and she agreed.

Bounty is Upon Us! I have heard market managers say it- after our late spring, wet July, and chilly summer, local produce took some time to appear and now it is here!

One question I have been very interested in since starting work with AFMA in October is how much fresh food a person could procure at our Anchorage farmers markets if…that was always the first place they shopped

One question I have been very interested in since starting work with AFMA in October is how much fresh food a person could procure at our Anchorage farmers markets if…that was always the first place they shopped

The Alaska Legislature put the Alaska Farmers Markets Association SNAP Market Match program in the Operating Budget!

First of all, it is huge! There are lovely wooden stalls and tents that don’t have to be taken down between market days. The welcome sign is…very welcoming. The produce was bountiful and beautiful- despite the cold July and late spring and rainy Wednesday of my visit.

So…as asked during my time at AFMA promoting farmers markets across Alaska…do I think the job of a Farmers Market Manager in Alaska should be a paid role- absolutely!! 110%, 1010%, and I would love to make it part of my job to figure out how more markets can operate the way Tanana Valley Farmers…

So…as asked during my time at AFMA promoting farmers markets across Alaska…do I think the job of a Farmers Market Manager in Alaska should be a paid role- absolutely!! 110%, 1010%, and I would love to make it part of my job to figure out how more markets can operate the way Tanana Valley Farmers…

The Fairbanks markets are really working together to get the word out to support their community and help every market day in Fairbanks be a success. They held meetings this winter to deepen connections with one another, including one for area vendors about how to sell at each of the markets. That kind of collaboration…

What I mean is that it takes everyone- markets, farmers, and customers- to believe that it is worth it. A world where Alaskans feed Alaska, at farmers markets full of community connection, delicious fresh food, and happy kids- is a world I appreciate deeply.

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,…

I’ve been looking forward to this all season! A day shadowing AFMA board member Brandi Jo Nyberg- from harvest at her Sauntering Roots Farm field, to market set-up at her Matanuska Community Farmers Market, to preparing produce donations at the end of the long market day, it was everything I had hoped it would be…

What fun to go to farmers markets this Saturday with Edible Alaska’s Amy O’Neill.