Check Out Our New Interactive Market Vendor Map!

Our new market software allows us to save both trees and time! With moving to a paperless vendor application process the program also features an interactive Vendor Map that allows customers to see the vendor layout as well as vendor information details. The map will be updated each week.Bookmark this link! (http://maps.managemymarket.com/1147)

There may be last minute changes to the list of vendors and their assigned spaces due to weather or other unforseen circumstances.

Even JUNEAU Loves the Spenard Farmers Market!

The Spenard Farmers Market is proud to announce special recognition from the Twenty-eighth Alaska State Legislature! The Market was honored for “In addition to providing locally grown food, the Spenard Farmers Market has also become a center for locally made crafts, plants, flowers, gardening education, and provides a venue for local musicians to share their art with patrons of the Market. The Twenty-eighth Alaska Legislature applauds the work of the Spenard Farmers Market, and hopes it will continue to be an Anchorage Fixture for years to come.” Special thanks to Prime Sponsors, Harriet Drummond and Geran Tarr, Mike Chenault, Speaker of the House, and Charlie Huggins, President of the Senate, along with the many other Cosponsors in Juneau! 

Our Annual Fundraiser at Tap Root!

The Spenard Farmers Market will host their 4^th annual Market Kickoff Fundraiser on Friday, May 10^th at the Taproot Public House. The concert will open with singer songwriter Michael Howard and feature C-Note String Band with High Lonesome Sound. The concert will start at 6:00pm and go until the bar closes. 

The concert raises money for the Spenard Farmers Market, Anchorage’s only volunteer led farmers market. The market begins on Saturday, May 18^th on the corner of 26^th & Spenard, Under the Winmdill, in the parking lot of Chilkoot Charlie's. The Spenard farmers Market features local produce, seafood and meat as well as a variety of high quality handmade local crafters and artisans. The market is a place for community to thrive and hosts special educational and family events. 

LINK TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL ALASKA SOURCE BOOK

The agriculture industry in Alaska created the Alaska Grown program to highlight products grown in Alaska. The Alaska Grown program is designed to increase consumer awareness and consumption of Alaska agricultural products. As part of the food and fiber marketing system in Alaska, you are encouraged to look for the Alaska Grown logo on food and utilize the "Alaska Grown Source Book" to help you buy local. This Source Book is published by the Alaska Division of Agriculture. 

A Green Environment

Add a little GREEN to your environment by downloading the 2013 SMF Poster HERE!

The 2013 market poster is here! Feel free to print out this fresh design and put it up at work or your favorite spots. Keep your eyes peeled for the poster around town to remind you that the market is just around the corner, under the windmill. Opening day is May 18th, 2013!

Congratulations to SFM Vendor,Denali Dreams Soap Company!

DenaliDreams Soap Company Manufacturer of the Year

(Juneau, AK) — The State’s Made in Alaska program has named Denali Dreams Soap Company its Manufacturer of the Year for 2012. Denali Dreams Soap Company of Anchorage is a prime example of an Alaska business succeeding in a challenging economy.

Babara Marsh and Janie Taylor started Denali Dreams in 1997. Growing up in Minnesota, Barb came to Alaska in 1978 with a work history that included cooking, which came in handy when she began making soap. Janie grew up in Northern California, and came to Alaska in 1983. The idea for the business began when Janie returned from visiting friends in New Zealand who introduced her to the art of soap making and shared the concept with friend Barb.

The first year, Denali Dreams successfully sold six varieties of soap and 1,600 bars. The business gradually grew to offer 30 varieties in 2012, and sold more than 60,000 bars. Quickly growing out of Barb’s kitchen, Denali Dreams moved its six employees and the operation to its current location on Spenard Road. As the company expanded, the owners involved their five children and those of the employees to learn and participate in all aspects of the business from operations to sales.

The Made in Alaska program identifies and promotes the purchase of products manufactured and/or crafted in Alaska, ranging from small gift items to large industrial products. Through program workshops, webinars, and collaboration with other organizations, the program provides educational training and basic marketing techniques to help business owners increase sales. The program is run by the Division of Economic Development (DED) within the State Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED). Products that meet program criteria are eligible to use the polar bear mother and cub logo.

"Denali Dreams Soap Company has held a Made in Alaska permit since their inception in 1997,” said Lorene Palmer, DED Director. “We have watched them grow and expand their product line, move to larger facilities, and hire Alaskans. They truly represent Made in Alaska with their 'can do' attitude.”

More information about the Made in Alaska program can be found online at www.madeinalaska.org. For additional information about other DED business development programs, please visit www.commerce.alaska.gov/ded/.

Keeping It Local

Our friends at the Cooperative Extension Service are helping to KEEP IT LOCAL by offering 3 workshops on "Getting Ready For your Local Market."  The Cooperative Extension Service also has GREAT GARDENING RESOURCES here.

Do you have a passion for the Market, local foods, public health, or food security?

Positions Available

Organizers of the Spenard Farmer’s Market knew it was important to expand the emerging farmer's markets and make available to residents throughout the Anchorage area as much Alaska Grown foods as possible. The next step in the growth of the Spenard Farmer’s Market was to offer these locally grown foods to a larger group of Alaskans utilizing food assistance benefits. The Alaska Division of Public Health sponsors a project to help farmer’s markets accept Food Stamp Quest cards (or SNAP –supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and again has selected the Spenard Farmer’s Market during the 2013 summer Market season to be a SNAP participant. Quest card holders simply come to the Market Information Booth to redeem funds on their Quest card for tokens to purchase qualifying healthy, local foods.

The Spenard Farmer's Market is seeking a part-time Food Assistance Staffer to work at least ten Saturdays from May 18 to September 29 as well as perform some administrative work during the week. Spenard Farmers Market supports its food stamp program through a grant from the Alaska Department of Health & Human Services. Part-time pay is $15/hour for about 10 hours per week. Sales and accounting experience preferred; passion for local foods, public health, or food security a must! Consider applying with a friend to share coverage of all 20 Saturday markets this season.

Other volunteer positions are also available at the Market if you have a passion for local grown, cultural diversity and community service. Send your resume and a detailed cover letter to kimberly.wetzel@urs.com. No applicants will be considered without a cover letter. Expect interviews in early April with work starting mid-May.