oschinanet: [New post] Scenes from the third Sitka Farmers Market of the summer

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Scenes from the third Sitka Farmers Market of the summer

by Charles Bingham

PHOTO COURTESY OF SITKA LOCAL FOODS NETWORK
Sitka Farmers Market manager Nalani James, left, presents the Table of the Day Award for July 31 to Ashley Ward of Ward Craft who sold a ear rings, Sitka Seasonings spice mixes made by daughter, Abigail, custom wooden spoons and bowls and knives made by husband, Dustin, and more. Ashley received a certificate, a tote bag, a bag of salad mix, a bunch of carrots, a Sitka Farmers Market special label chocolate bar, and a jar of Moosetard mustards. The next Sitka Farmers Market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, on the plaza outside Harrigan Centennial Hall. National Farmers Market Week is Aug. 1-7, so celebrate by coming to the market on Saturday. Vendors can register online (by Thursday) at https://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com. More details about the Sitka Local Foods Network and Sitka Farmers Market can be found at http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org.

It was mostly sunny, but also overcast, when the Sitka Local Foods Network held its third Sitka Farmers Market of the summer on Saturday, July 31, perfect weather for a market.

Due to a growing COVID-19 count, we instituted a face mask policy this summer to try and protect our customers and vendors from the coronavirus. That face mask policy will be in force when we hold our fourth Sitka Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, on the plaza outside Harrigan Centennial Hall. We ask all customers and vendors to wear masks.

Also, this week, Aug. 1-7, is National Farmers Market Week, so stop by Saturday's Sitka Farmers Market to celebrate.

The markets are being held outside this year to try and prevent the spread of the coronavirus. We haven't had as many booths as in previous years, but the smaller market seems to be working. We still have fresh local produce, as well as a variety of Alaska Grown value-added products, local eggs, mushrooms, and arts and crafts. We should have some cooked food at Saturday's market. We'd love to see a fish vendor or a baked goods vendor, too.

The Sitka Local Foods Network needs a volunteer or two to help set up the market, sell produce during the market, and take down the market after it's over. If you're interested in helping us with the market, contact Charles Bingham at (907) 623-7660 or Nalani James at (808) 778-9888.

We also are recruiting new vendors, and they can register and pay their vendor fees by going to https://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com. More information about the Sitka Local Foods Network and Sitka Farmers Market can be found at http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org.

The Sitka Local Foods Network does take WIC farmers market coupons and Alaska Quest SNAP EBT cards, and offers a matching program for produce purchased at the SLFN farm stand (if you buy $5 of produce, you will receive $10 worth).

A slideshow of scenes from the third market of the summer is posted below.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SITKA LOCAL FOODS NETWORK
Sitka Farmers Market manager Nalani James, left, presents the Table of the Day Award for July 31 to Ashley Ward of Ward Craft who sold a ear rings, Sitka Seasonings spice mixes made by daughter, Abigail, custom wooden spoons and bowls and knives made by husband, Dustin, and more. Ashley received a certificate, a tote bag, a bag of salad mix, a bunch of carrots, a Sitka Farmers Market special label chocolate bar, and a jar of Moosetard mustards. The next Sitka Farmers Market is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 7, on the plaza outside Harrigan Centennial Hall. National Farmers Market Week is Aug. 1-7, so celebrate by coming to the market on Saturday. Vendors can register online (by Thursday) at https://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com. More details about the Sitka Local Foods Network and Sitka Farmers Market can be found at http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org.