APU’s Wednesday Farmer’s Market
Megan Talley of Spring Creek Farm carries potted basil to the market stand
by Miriam Mezzetti
What happens when you combine fresh, organic produce and baked goods and Alaskans who are eager to eat food that is both delicious and healthy? A match made in food heaven: the APU Farmer’s Market!
Alaska Pacific University’s Spring Creek Farm grows a wide variety of locally-grown, organic potted plants and fresh produce. In addition to offering our own harvest, we are partnering with a growing number of vendors to sell baked goods, organic produce from out of state, locally grown organic produce and plants, and more!
The market opens at 11 am on Wednesdays in front of Grant Hall. As the vendors set up their stands, the smell of fresh produce and delicious food fills the air. Last Wednesday, July 1st, two of the vendors performed a lovely duet on the banjo and the guitar in between customers, and the sound of the music mingled with the friendly atmosphere of the market. As the vendors at a bread and produce stand cheerily remarked, it is nice to see, and speak with, the faces behind the items you are purchasing. The bread they sell, for example, is baked on campus fresh each Wednesday morning and is still warm from the oven when they set up the stand!
As the market attracts more Alaskans, the number of vendors, as well as the quantity and variety of the produce offered, will grow. Because most of the food is locally grown, many of the vendors will be selling seasonal produce and baked goods each week. For example, last Wednesday there was a wide variety of fresh spring and summer greens at the Spring Creek market stand, but towards the fall the seasonal crops will likely feature fall staples such as squash or beets. Alaskans interested in eating a fresh, seasonal harvest, rejoice!
Rachel Carter and Vincent Botzki showcase some of the fresh, organic produce available for purchase.
In the words of Spring Creek Farm’s Megan Talley, “It is our hope that by offering this farmer’s market we can benefit both the APU community and the entire Alaskan community by promoting healthy eating, a healthy environment, and by strengthening the local economy.”
If you are shopping for groceries this week and have wanted to include more healthy, locally grown food in your meals, the APU Farmers Market is the place to be! We look forward to seeing you there!
