Throughout most of the year, Dee Barker of Earthworks Farm and Daisy Nicolas of Drool Central can be found at various farmers' markets.
During the run-up to the holidays, they spend plenty of time at various craft fairs.
This weekend, both Earthworks Farm and Drool Central (along with dozens of other vendors and thousands of shoppers) will be at the Christmas Arts & Crafts Emporium at the Dena'ina Center. The event is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
"Our new soap line will include our newest creations -- Lovely Lilac, Holiday Confetti and the seasonally fun, Pumpkin Souffle," Barker says. "We're introducing another of our fragrance creations, White Lilac, to our new lotion line. Our other lotion creations include Royale and Azure."
Barker says the booth will be overflowing with moisturizing creams, lotion bars and deodorants, too.
For Nicolas, the holidays mean it's time to treat the furry family members.
"Our dogs deserve some holiday gifts also," she says. "Plenty of treats for stocking stuffers and gift boxes ready to go."
Drool Central's treats frequently include Alaska-grown produce, seafood and barley.
Center Market
Back at the market, regular vendors will show up with a variety of produce, meats, pasta and other items on Wednesday and Saturday.
La Grassa will be at both markets this week with fresh pasta, including original, spinach and new garlic and herb hand-cut noodles. They also will have vegan sourdough strozzapreti, Alaska potato gnocchi, sauteed mushroom ravioli, Alaska squash and pecorino ravioli and vegan white bean and kale ravioli.
Country Health Foods will have grass-fed beef and yak, Alaska scallops, local honeycomb and honey, salsa, jams and zucchini relish.
Alex Davis of A.D. Farm has pork cuts including chops, fresh side, ground pork, sausage, ribs, liver, feet and fat, along with suckling pigs. His produce includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, carrots in a variety of colors, beets, parsnips and potatoes. He'll also have Alaska Sprouts items, including fresh basil and tofu, along with pies and barley items. Davis is at the market on Wednesday and Saturday.
On Saturday, Rempel Family Farm will have organic carrots, seven kinds of winter squash, red and green cabbage, parsnips, 12 varieties of potatoes, daikon, beets, sugar pumpkins and snow apple turnips.
Farm 779 has loads of fermented foods including krauts made with Valley-grown vegetables, beet kvass and coconut kefir. Julie Meer says a highlight this week is unique "Karrot Kvass" made with organic carrots from Rempel Family Farm.
Depot Farm Market
Several vendors are lined up for the Monday market in Palmer.
More than a dozen vendors are lined up for the market. Among the highlights are Simple Living Farm with stored produce, pickles and hand-crafted woodwork; Moonstone Farms with homemade pickles, dried herbs and produce; AK Revolution with fresh eggs, handmade soaps and Alaska-grown barley products; Golden Farms with pork, chicken and fermented foods; Happy Family Jams with jams, jellies and relishes; Kimberly Durst with cakes, cupcakes and cookies; Thornwood Farm has goat meat, in packages up to 2-pound roasts; Three Branches with handmade salves, balms and teas created from local ingredients; and multiple craft vendors selling knives, ornaments, yarn, handmade jewelry and leather items.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Alaska farmers markets
Monday in Palmer: Depot Farm Market, noon-6 p.m., Palmer Depot
Wednesday in Anchorage: Alaska Pacific University Farmers Market, 1:30-6:30 p.m., APU campus in front of Grant Hall; Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street