Where “Alaska Grown” Means What It Says

In a city that has a short, intense summer with long daylight and lots of colour, the Tanana Valley Farmers Market is where Fairbanks tastes its season—local food grown under long northern days, artisan work rooted in place, and a building designed to keep it all fresh without fuss. It’s the oldest established farmers market in Alaska—and the only one housed in its own permanent building, a distinction that speaks to how seriously this community takes local food and makers.

Why this Market is Different

Vendor tents for fibre, meats, and pantry goods with customers browsing displays. — From fibre arts to responsibly raised meats, the market mixes farm staples with Alaska-made specialties.

Walk the wide, airy hall and you feel the intention: high ceilings that, as Executive Director Brad St. Pierre notes, help keep greens from wilting; stall after stall clearly labelled with Alaska Grown, Made in Alaska, and Silver Hand—programs that verify what’s grown here, what’s truly made here, and what’s authentic Alaska Native art. It’s local by design, not by marketing.

A Season in Full Swing

Row of vendor tents with shoppers strolling a wide central aisle beneath blue sky. — Easy to browse, easy to buy local—the open layout keeps foot traffic flowing and produce crisp.

From mid-May through September, the market opens Wednesdays (11 am–4 pm) and Saturdays (9 am–4 pm) at 2600 College Road—a straight shot if you’re cruising the Parks Highway through Fairbanks. Families time their visit for the Children’s Market (every fourth Saturday in summer) and travellers arrive early for first pick. No pets are allowed (service animals excepted) because the market is a food establishment—plan accordingly.

What’s on the Tables (and why it matters)

Baskets of potatoes, tomatoes, cabbages, beets, and leafy greens at a produce stand. — Alaska Grown variety—from Delta potatoes to crisp salad fixings—clearly labelled and easy to mix and match.

This year, 26 farms are participating (Brad, conversation). Expect crisp greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers, bright summer greens, berries, root veg, herbs, cut flowers, baked goods, preserves and responsibly raised Alaska meats. In 2024 the market did roughly $1.89 million in sales (Brad), a number that underlines what he calls a huge economic driver for Alaska’s producers—keeping dollars circulating in rural communities and giving small farms reliable access to customers when the growing window is open wide.

Standards that Protect “Local”

Close-up of zucchini, summer squash, pickling cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts on display. — Peak-season abundance.

Here, “local” isn’t a vibe—it’s written into the rules. Incoming and returning vendors are vetted and bound by published policies:

Food safety compliance is mandatory (Alaska DEC; FSMA where applicable).
Only Alaskan-grown/produced items; no buy-resell imports.
Liability insurance is required (a group policy is available through the market).

The result is a clean, trustworthy experience for shoppers—and a predictable, professional outlet for farmers and makers. Details live on the Vendors page and in the Policy Manual.

The “Symbols of Excellence,” Explained

Alaska Grown, Made in Alaska, and Silver Hand program logos with brief descriptions. — The market’s “Symbols of Excellence” verify what’s grown here, what’s truly made here, and authentic Alaska Native art.

Alaska Grown highlights agricultural products grown in Alaska, a state-run program encouraging shoppers to choose Alaskan food. Made in Alaska identifies goods made or manufactured in Alaska (look for the mother bear and cub). Silver Hand is the state’s seal for authentic Alaska Native artwork, administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. The market foregrounds all three so travellers can buy with confidence.

Food Access that Multiplies your Dollars

Brad St. Pierre in a red hoodie stands behind baskets of greens, berries, squash, cucumbers, and Brussels sprouts while a shopper pays at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market. — Brad St. Pierre at his farm counter.

The market accepts SNAP and participates in AFMA’s Market Match, a $1-for-$1 match that typically doubles up to $40 per market day—so $40 becomes $80 in fresh produce. It’s simple: stop at the info booth to swipe your Alaska Quest card and collect market tokens. Seniors can also apply for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP), which provides $40 in seasonal benefits for Alaska-grown fruits, veg, herbs and honey. Check the day’s details at the info booth.

Meet the Market (and Brad)

Smiling vendor inside a produce stall with lettuces, cucumbers, squash, and apples. — Meet your grower—indoor stalls showcase pesticide-free greens and greenhouse veg grown under long Interior daylight.

Mission: “To develop and promote Alaska’s agricultural, horticultural and cottage industries, providing quality produce and products to the public.” Executive Director: Brad St. Pierre, a farmer (Goosefoot Farm) with training in sustainable agriculture, now steering the market’s vendor standards, operations and outreach.

How to Shop Like a Local (and travel responsibly)

Shoppers chatting with a farmer under a red canopy at an outdoor market. — Saturday energy at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market

Arrive early with a reusable tote and a loose plan. Chat with growers; they’ll tell you which varieties thrive in the Interior’s marathon daylight and what will keep best in a hotel room or camper. If you’re road-tripping, stock up on hardy items—root veg, snap peas, herbs—that travel well. Follow the no-pets policy, wash hands at stations, and photograph respectfully when makers are working. If you see the Silver Hand seal, you’re looking at authentic Alaska Native craft—ask about the artist’s story and provenance.

The Takeaway

Shoppers browse vendor tents in front of the wooden Tanana Valley Farmers Market building, a banner reading “Tanana Valley Farmers Market” hanging overhead on a clear morning. — Bluebird morning at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market—tents spill into the courtyard and a steady stream of locals browses under the bannered entrance.

The Tanana Valley Farmers Market is a blueprint for place-based sustainability: rigorous vendor standards, state-run certifications that mean what they say, and community-minded programs that make local food more accessible. Add in those high ceilings and bright northern light, and you’ve got a market that treats freshness as part of its architecture—and keeps the flavour (and dollars) right here in Alaska.

Photo Credits: All photos by the author.

Every journey leaves a mark, and small choices can make a big difference. Choosing eco-friendly stays, supporting local communities, and being mindful of plastic use help preserve the beauty of the places we visit. Respecting wildlife, conserving resources, and travelling sustainably ensure future generations can experience the same wonders. Alaska, like many destinations, is striving to do its part—progress is being made, though the path is ongoing. By treading lightly and embracing responsible travel, we create meaningful connections and lasting memories. Here’s to adventures that inspire and footprints that honour our planet. Safe and mindful travels!

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