THANK YOU!

As we say goodbye to our second successful season, we also want to say THANK YOU to all of our supporters, primarily Chilkoot Charlie's. Without Chilkoot's GENEROUS donation of the Market parking lot, storage area, power supplies and support the Market would not be able to offer low cost vendor booths and a FANTASTIC location with plenty of FREE parking for our customers! Thank you to our talented and dedicated SFM vendors and to our loyal customers. As an all volunteer based Market, the Market would not be possible without the hard work of our year-round team of skilled VOLUNTEERS. Special thanks also to Bosco's, Spenard Roadhouse, Bear Tooth Theater Pub, Northrim Bank, 

Coastal Village Seafood, Rigg's Towing, Home Depot, AK Botanical Garden, Bird Treatment and Learning Center, Blooming Artist Youth Booth Artists, Spenard Builders Supply, Chef Rob Kinneen, Co-Operative Extension Service, AK Dept. of Fish and Game, Petco, Adopt A Dog AK, Bicycle Commuters of AK, AK Farmland Trust, Alaska Grown, Leadership Anchorage 14 Group, KTVA, KTUU, KIMO, Anchorage PRESS, Anchorage Daily News Market Fresh Column, Dept. of Health and Social Services, The Alaska Division of Public Health, Quest Card Food Assistance Program, Tap Root, the SFM Musicians "Under the Windmill" including Back Acres, UltraLuscious, Hot Dish, Ever Ready, Terrance Kelly, Paul Cataldo, Foxtrot Bravo Pedals, Alex Cruver Quartet, the entertainers of Spenard Jazz Fest and the local Spenard Businesses that helped to make the Market a destination that is vibrant, exciting and successful! *If we have inadvertently not recognized your contribution, please e-mail us and we will gladly add your name to our growing list of SFM supporters!

Bookmark this web site for announcements for the 2012 Spenard Farmer's Market opening day. If you would like to participate as a vendor watch for the 2012 Vendor Application available in early Spring of 2012. If you are interested in volunteering and being part of one of Anchorage's BEST FARMER'S MARKETS, contact us by e-mail at spenardfarmersmarket@gmail.com.

"When you shop with our local farmers and growers you are helping to sustain the Spenard Farmers Market’s vision of increased access to fresh local food and other products. Your purchases generate a more reliable income for small farmers and other local producers and supports sustainable local economies."

Food Stamp Match!

The first $20 in Quest card purchases will be matched $20. That's $40 to spend on 

FRESH ALASKAN PRODUCE at the Spenard Farmer's Market!

Limit one per Quest card holder per day; the last two Saturdays of the season 

(September 24 and October 1, 2011)

Tis' The Season to Load Up on Your Veggies and Vitamins this Saturday, September 10 from 9-2!

Seth Dinkel assists Chef Rob Kinneen with selecting locally sourced, Market fresh food.

Fresh picked Carrots glow with nutrients
in the Spring Creek Farm booth.

Lesley Dinkel of Dinkel’s Veggies reports from the farm that “we are seeing numbers drop with zucchini.  Customers should take note that there is less available and arrive at market early for best selection. We have an abundance of Cauliflower good for steaming and guilt free, healthy eating. Steam, smash with a potato masher, and top with your favorite potato toppings!” Cauliflower contains vitamin C and good amounts of many essential B-complex group of vitamins such as folates, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (B3) as well as vitamin K. This week the Dinkel’s will be offering onions, carrots, tomatoes, green beans, potatoes, zucchini--Green and Yellow, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, strawberries (hurry and shop early for these!), cauliflower, and crook neck squash. "From the Farm," Arthur Keyes at Glacier Valley Farm reports that the greenhouse is almost done and they are transitioning into cleanup mode as the tomatoes wind down. “In the field the zucchini has begun to show its age, from here on out we can expect a frost any day. The zucchini will go from nice green plants to dead black plants overnight when the first frost comes, soon. The onions are still looking real good and we have a lot. I plan on harvesting them all before the frost gets here, enjoy the green tops in your salad or soup, soon the green tops will be gone! The second flush of berries is in full swing , better late than never!”

End of season mass ride and celebration will start at the Spenard Farmer’s Market at 10:30 on Saturday September 10, followed by an award ceremony at 12:45 back at the market. Visit www.bicycleanchorage.org to learn find out more about the challenge and biking in Anchorage. BIKE ON!

Mark your calendar as the Market season winds down. 

Upcoming Special Events for the SFM include:

9/10 –Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

9/17 –Celebrating Harvest Day

9/24 –All Things Zucchini Day!

 10/1 –Season Send Off! 

Eat Local Contest

Do you have the best salmon tacos recipes?
Do you grow the biggest zucchinis on the block?

The Spenard Farmers Market with Anchorage Food Mosaic is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Eat Local Contest! We are seeking the BEST photos and recipes featuring Alaska Grown fare. Send us your photos or recipes of how you eat LOCAL and you could win great prizes from restaurants and gourmet food shops. All entries must received by Saturday, August 20th at the market, or submitted via email to spenardfarmersmarket@gmail.com, no later than Sunday, August 21st.

Official Rules: Spenard Farmers Market board members and immediate family members are not eligible to win prizes. All photos must be taken by the individual submitting the photo in Alaska within the last five years. All recipes must be original recipes, plagiarized recipes will not be considered.

Community

Building a Sense of Community Under the Windmill

A Farmers Market creates a vibrant public gathering place that builds community pride and spirit by bringing together a cross-section of the residents within the community and enjoying the shared experiences of the setting. We appreciate your continued support of the Spenard Farmer’s Markets and it’s many changing, dedicated and talented vendors! Our Market is located in the Chilkoot Charlie’s parking lot at the corner of West 26th and Spenard Road every Saturday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm through Oct. 1, and would not be possible without the generous support of Chilkoot’s, our ALL VOLUNTEER “staff” and the over 45 vendors who set up every Saturday morning!

It's Pets Day at the Spenard Farmer's Market!

Saturday, August 6 is “Pets Day” at the Spenard Farmer’s Market! Volunteers from Animal Care and Control center will be at the market with dogs that are ready to find new families. Adopt A Dog AK, a local nonprofit animal rescue group that saves dogs from being the euthanasia list will also be at the market with adorable dogs, eligible for adoption. In addition to handing out free samples of “Yummy Chummies” an Alaskan made salmon treat, the market will host a drawing for a free gift basket of “Yummy Chummies” products. Don’t forget to check out our “Market Dogs” link on the SFM web site! http://www.spenardfarmersmarket.org/p/market-dogs.html

Alisa Baker of Grass Roots will have Veronica Romanesco (Not available in your grocery store!), beets, broccoli, romaine lettuce, red cabbage and cucumbers. In addition to a fresh bounty of vegetables, she will also have a variety of fresh cut herbs including borage, savory, cilantro, dill, thyme, parsley and lemon balm. Here is the link in the Anchorage Daily News Market Fresh Column with SFM Volunteer Kate Powers’ recipe for Roasted Lemon Garlic Romanesco! http://www.adn.com/2011/08/02/1997687/historic-barn-hosts-market.html

The time for veggies is now! The market is packed with ripe summer vegetables. Spring Creek Farm will have cauliflower, shelling peas, zucchini, carrots and beautiful large salad turnips. Balesca Brothers Produce will have colorful zucchini blossoms, gourmet onions with 4 types of onions per bunch, new potatoes, and fresh arugula. Wild Rose Farm will have green house hot peppers, local valley honey, as well as a unique blend of mustards including Rosemary Black Currant Brown Mustard. Glacier Valley Farm will have vine ripened green house tomatoes, onions and plenty of zucchini.

Ed Zegzdrwyn of Midnight Sun Farm will carry beautiful colorful rainbow chard, as well as gourmet salad mixes with seven types of greens in each bag. He will also have French tarragon and fennel, also known as sweet anis.

Matanuska Creamery will have a variety of delicious cheeses including mozerella and sharp cheddar, as well as incredible “Fireweed Pepper Jelly” a perfect ingredient for a sweet and savory snack. The market will have top quality seafood like usual including fresh oysters from Northern Lights Oysters and king salmon fillets from Coastal Villages Seafood.

Look at the COLOR from Yesterday's Market!

It's the peak of the Market Season. Bring your market bags and shop early next Saturday starting at 9am! There is a wide variety of FRESH veggies, flowers, food and incredible arts and crafts from over 45 vendors!

Carrots and Sunflowers from Spring Creek Farms

Tomatoes from Glacier Valley Farms

Fresh cut flowers and Cauliflower from Alisa at Grass Roots!