It's anniversary time for the weekly Thankful Thursdays market inside the Midtown Mall. Julie Meer says the market is celebrating three years of "year 'round fun" this week.
"We began as two local vendors providing the best in fresh local beef and whole food veg ferments," Meer says. "We have grown and now include fresh sprouts and greens, decadent truffles, wellness options, raw fed pet species appropriate food and ferments.
Vendors lined up this week include the original two—Duane Clark's Top Shelf Artisan Market and Meer's Farm 779 — along with Harvest Point Farm, Elderberry Essentials, The Dog Side and Coddle & Cosset. Clark will have Valley raised grass-fed beef, locally produced honey and salsa. Elderberry Essentials will have a variety of elderberry syrups, gummies and glycerides. Harvest Point Farm will have a wide selection of Valley grown fresh vegetables. Coddle; Cosset will bring an assortment of fresh, handcrafted chocolates, including truffles. The Dog Side is featuring a selection of options for raw-fed pets and Farm 779 will have loads of whole food veggie and coconut ferments.
Alex Davis of AD Farm has a plentiful supply of his regular items — pork, veggies, eggs — but also has cut honeycomb available this week, but "quantities are limited" so get to the market quickly if you want some.Davis also reminds users of WIC and senior coupons that the Center Market accepts the coupons, but they an only be used through the end of the month. AD Farm's veggie options this week include carrots in four colors, red beets, red and green cabbage, five varieties of cauliflower, salad mix, kale, Yukon gold potatoes, German butterball potatoes, fiesta potatoes, peanut potatoes and magic Molly potatoes. The pork cuts include chops, roast, fresh side pork, breakfast sausage, spicy sausage, Italian sausage, chorizo, hocks, soup bones, fat, along with the option to get a 40-pound custom box, or 1/2 and whole hog.
Davis says he has lots of fresh eggs, homemade jam in "more varieties than I could ever mention," cuts if grass-fed beef, items from Tonia's Biscotti, and a load of choices from Alaska Flour Co., including whole barley, barley cereal, roasted barley, barley couscous, crimped barley and cinnamon chip pancake mix.
Earthworks Farm will be at Wednesday's Center Market with our its new crop of honey and a supply of our farm-manufactured Abeille Alaska beeswax and honey body care products. The body care lineup includes moisturizing cream, lotion bars, natural deodorants, lip balms and a variety of soaps, including French clay spa bar and Alaska honeycomb soap.
Drool Central is setting up shop at the O'Malley Castle Market, 1520 O'Malley Road, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with Alaska grown and locally-raised pet-grade pig, goat, sheep, turkey organs and meat for dogs.
"My usual crunchies and fresh-baked treats, as well as fresh-frozen meals are available, too," owner Daisy Nicolas says.
Local farmers markets
Wednesday in Anchorage
Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Midtown Mall, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Thursday in Anchorage
Thankful Thursdays market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Midtown Mall, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Thursday outside of Anchorage: Peters Creek Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., 21426 Old Glenn Highway, Chugiak
Friday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Midtown Mall, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Midtown Mall, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street