I know — it’s hard. The Homer Farmers Market had its last “official” market. But don’t worry too much, you can still find your local food in town. It just won’t always come with kKid’s activities, live music and food.
A lot of vendors will just continue to show up on Saturdays like always, even without the entertainment. This Saturday you will still see Christina from Snowshoe Hollow, Emily from Twitter Creek, Dan and Luba of Luba’s Garden, Paul and Jen from WillGrow, and Robert with his blue totes of veggies. As a matter of a fact, you will see Robert there well into winter, hanging out by a burn barrel once it gets cold.
You won’t see Bob Durr this Saturday, even though he has tons of veggies to get rid of and will most likely be at the Market on Saturdays for weeks to come. What would be so important as to keep him away from the Market? His wedding, of course. You will see him again after he and Pat tie the knot.
Some vendors will be heading inside. The Wild Emporium on Pioneer will draw some of the vendors like Blueberry Glen with their array of microgreens. Dan and Luba plan to leave the Market lot and move to the Emporium once the weather gets cold.
Some vendors are trying other methods. Emily is offering a fall Community Supported Agriculture membership as is Carey from Homer Hilltop Farm. You even can find Carey’s veggies at Save-U-More. Synergy Gardens will be selling veggies from a stand straight off the farm Tuesdays and Friday. Blood, Sweat & Food Farms is offering a chicken CSA and have open orders for turkeys and hogs.
One of the best places to find a great selection of local veggies and meats now through Nov. 15 is the Alaska Food Hub. Go online to www.alaskafoodhub.org and scroll down the list to see what is available this week. You will see Kachemak Bay Gardens, Luba’s Garden, Twitter Creek, Wilderness Greenhouse, Bob Durr, Synergy Gardens, Oceanside Farm, and Blood, Sweat & Food Farms.
There is no need to go back to lifeless food. We still have plenty of fresh local food. Go get some.
Kyra Wagner is the coordinator of Sustainable Homer and the Homer Farmers Market’s biggest fan.
