Alaska's farmers markets to stay open this summer

Alaska’s farmers markets, like grocery stores and supermarkets, are considered “essential businesses” and will remain open this summer.

Maria Bender of Bender Mountain Farm poses with her
potatoes at the 2019 Tanana Valley Farmers Market.
 Photo courtesy of Tanana Valley Farmers Market

A representative from the Department of Environmental Conservation announced that welcome bit of news during the Alaska Farmers Market Association’s virtual annual meeting last Friday. The markets will operate differently however, because of coronavirus concerns.

Working with the association, DEC has posted guidance and market measures on its website. The measures require that markets be redesigned to limit contact, increasing the space between vendors to 10 feet, with no more than two customers at each booth. If possible, vendors should place another table in front of the products to keep customers 6 feet away. Additionally, vendors must wear gloves and provide no samples. Prepared food is carry-out only. See additional information on the DEC site.

Concern about the status of farmers markets was underscored by better-than-average attendance for the conference. Association director Robbi Mixon said 262 people registered, but attendance varied greatly by session.

Squash for sale at the Tanana Valley
Farmers Market.

Members heard from market managers from Washington, California and Minnesota. Colleen Donovan, the executive director of the Washington State Farmers Market Association, said “The challenge has been to convince the local jurisdictions that they can operate safely.”

Some of the markets in Washington state have been cancelled and others have delayed opening, Donovan said. Washington has 110 markets in 80 communities that generate $55 million in sales, she said.

In a keynote address, she said that farmers markets are important because they help people eat healthy, cultivate community, energize neighborhoods and incubate businesses. She encouraged markets to work together cooperatively with shared training and tools.

Other sessions focused on educating the public on why farmers markets are a good thing to support. Catt Fields White, who manages a large farmers market in San Diego, said in addition to providing nutrient dense, fresh foods, markets support farmers. Farmers receive an average of nine cents for every dollar spent on their produce sold through a grocery store, White said.

With a farmers market, she said, “The farmer puts the whole dollar in his pocket.”

Brad St. Pierre, the manager of the Tanana Valley Farmers Market, and Homer Farmers Market director Robbi Mixon gave a joint presentation. They said that a lot of farmers are trying to get established in the state and many of their farms are small — nine acres or less. The last Census of Agriculture, in 2017, showed that 46 percent of Alaska’s farmers have farmed 10 years or less.

More vendors selling at the 2019 market in Fairbanks.

The importance of markets is reflected in the growth of Alaska farmers markets, they said. The number increased from 13 in 2005 to more than 50 markets in 2019. The growth is also reflected in sales. According to the 2017 census, the value of food sold directly to consumers, was $4.5 million, more than double the amount reported in the previous census, in 2012. At the same time, the market association, has become revitalized and members are working together on issues.

In a wrap-up session, Jodie Anderson said making the farmers markets safe and getting the word out about that is critical. “We are inventive," she said. “We are going to figure this out together.”

Anderson is the director of the Matanuska Experiment Farm and Extension Center. She noted how important farmers markets are to Alaska’s food system. “What happens when the boats don’t come in or the trucks don’t come,” she asked.

Mixon said recordings of conference presentations will be available soon on the association’s website. The association will host a joint webinar with DEC April 24 on markets and COVID-19. See details here.