Dahlia tubers, honey and 'the elixir of the gods' all headed to local markets

The Center Market at The Mall at Sears offers a little bit of everything for Alaska-focused shoppers. And it offers three shopping options — Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Whether you're looking ahead to spring and you want dahlias, or you've got a sweet tooth and need a little honey, the Center Market is the place. And don't forget vegetables, pork cuts, sweet treats and even Alaska-grown mushrooms from Far North Fungi and lettuce.

Dee Barker of Earthworks Farm said their honey supply is holding up and 12-ounce jars will remain on sale through Saturday. Their booth also has a large selection of body care products made with Alaska honey and beeswax. Some of the options include moisturizing cream, body lotion, lotion bars and lip balms. Earthworks Farm will be at all three markets.

Alex Davis of A.D. Farm has a large selection of pork, storage vegetables, eggs and raspberry jam, along with items from other local businesses. Davis will have a variety of flavors from Tonia's Biscotti; Alaska kimchi, lemon dill kraut, spicy kale carrot cumin and ginger citrus carrots from Evie's Brinery; Mosquito Mama's balsamic vinegar; sprouts, micro greens, tofu and basil from Alaska Sprouts; barley products from Alaska Flour Co.; and live lettuce and spring mix from Alaska Natural Organics. He also has local honey, grass-fed beef and cuts of young goat.

Davis will have his own cuts of pasture-raised pork, including chops, ground pork, sausage, ribs, loin roast and bratwurst. His vegetable selection includes four colors of carrots and a selection of potato options.

Rob Wells, The Persistent Farmer, is back at the market on both Wednesday and Saturday with dahlia tubers. Wells will vary his selections by the week, depending on what's sprouting.

Monica's Confection Connection will be at all three markets with a nice selection of sweets. Options include gourmet brittles, regular and salted caramels, gummies, marshmallows and fudge. Fudge flavors include chocolate, chocolate walnut, butter pecan, mint chocolate and orange cream.

The Rempel Family Farm will be at Saturday's market. Produce options include carrots, snow apple turnips, purple onions, red beets, parsnips, kohlrabi, winter squash and 12 varieties of potatoes. The Rempels also have yak meat grown on their farm and fed organic veggies and grass.

Thankful Thursdays

Thursday's market at The Mall at Sears will have seafood, Alaska-grown meats and veggies, ferments, treats for dogs, and all sorts of other options.

Farm 779 will have kombucha in double ferment ginger and ginger turmeric, which Julie Meer said "has been called the elixir of the gods." Get some while you can! Other items at the Farm 779 booth include four varieties of coconut kefir, three types of beet root and carrot kvass, six choices of fermented Alaska-grown vegetable blends and krauts, gluten- and dairy-free "Perfect Snack," almond bread and chocolate chip cookies.

Duane Clark will have a nice selection of Alaska seafood, including side stripe shrimp, scallops and black cod, along with smoked salmon from Tilgner's Seafoods. Clark's booth also will have salsa, zucchini relish, jams, potatoes, carrots, and grass-fed beef and yak.

Three Bears Farm will have a wide selection of jams, including cranberry walnut, tomato pepper and many berry options.

Non Essentials will be at the market with specialty banana and zucchini breads, fresh duck and chicken eggs that are fed an Alaska diet, birch syrup and pasta.

Daisy Nicolas will be at the market with Drool Central's treats for dogs that feature Alaska salmon, chicken, sweet potato, Alaska-grown beets and carrots. Nicolas will also set up a pop-up shop from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at New Sagaya City Market.

Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.

Local farmers markets

Monday in the Valley: Colony Farmers Market, noon-6 p.m., 610 S. Valley Way, Palmer

Wednesday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Thursday in Anchorage: Thankful Thursdays market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Friday in Anchorage: 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