Alex Davis of A.D. Farm is in a reflective mood as 2017 draws to a close.
"We are looking to finish 2017 with a bang," he says. "Over the course of 2017, not only did we bring Anchorage food all 52 weeks of the year — we did it three times a week!" Yep, A.D. Farm and the Center Market were open for business about 156 times this year.
"Sometimes getting there was a snap; other times it was tire changing on the side of the Glenn with an occasional snow storm thrown in. Here's hoping 2018 will be just as or more successful."
In addition to Davis' own farm produce, he says Jonsers, Monica's Confection Connection and Mosquito Mama were at the thrice-weekly Center Market almost every week. Other regular vendors include Rempel Family Farm, Earthworks Farm and Doggy Decadence.
Davis says this week will be the same, with plenty of choices.
Vegetable options include green cabbage, kohlrabi, red beets, golden beets, several varieties of potatoes, carrots and Brussels sprouts. He also has eggs, raspberry jam, pumpkin butter and apple butter.
Of course, Davis features several cuts of his farm's pasture-raised pigs. Pork cuts include loin roast, chops, fresh side-sliced, ground pork, Italian sausage, spicy sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, fajita meat, ribs, roast, bone for broth, fat for rendering, feet and hocks. He offers custom-made 40-pound meat boxes and is taking reservations for pigs set for butcher, both half and whole hogs.
Davis says other items to look for this week include Wild Child fermented salsa; Alaska Fisherman Seafood Direct with smoked black cod, shrimp, halibut and other seafood; raw and creamed honey; Alaska Sprouts with sprouts, micro greens, tofu and basil; Alaska Flour Co. barley products; Mosquito Mama's balsamic vinegar; Northern Lights Mushrooms; Doggy Decadence; Windy River Farm with grass fed beef; Tonia's Biscotti; Evie's Brinery with kimchee, kraut and more; and Jonsers with hand-crafted nectar.
Thankful Thursdays
Farm 779 and Duane Clark highlight the options at the Thursday market inside the Mall at Sears.
Julie Meer of Farm 779 says they will feature red beet and carrot kvass "by the boat load." Other options include turmeric kefir reduction dip; regular, double thick and citrus coconut kefirs; a variety of krauts; citrus cranberry blend; and peony-chaga and ginger-turmeric triple ferment kombucha.
Farm 779 also features a selection of body products and butters.
Clark will have potatoes and carrots, along with grass-fed beef, yak and pork. Clark also will have items from Alaska Sprouts, jams, salsa, locally produced honey, zucchini relish and birch syrup.
Drool Central special
Daisy Nicolas at Drool Central is offering a special to open the new year on Saturday at her new storefront, 10950 O'Malley Centre Drive, at the back of the building behind the Spice & Tea Exchange.
It's a "Three Course Chow," Nicolas says, featuring homemade chicken broth for the first course; an entrée, with a choice of wild Alaska salmon, organic sweet potatoes, fresh spinach and Alaska grown carrots or chicken with the same side dishes; and a third course – probiotic Alaska grown beet mousse, along with a 1-ounce Fish Chips to go. It's "served with Dog Guinness–wild Alaska salmon broth with fresh parsley and kelp," Nicolas says. It's $20 for the special meal; store hours are 1 to 5 p.m.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Local farmers markets
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; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.
Sunday in Anchorage: Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.