Community Resilience: The Importance of Farmers Markets for Food Access in Alaska

Guest blog by Alaska Farmers Market Association

Farmers markets are game-changers when it comes to improving food access in communities. They not only bring fresh, locally grown produce to the forefront but also serve as vital hubs for nutrition assistance programs, making healthy food options more accessible to everyone.

Photo credit Alaska Farmers Market Association

According to the most recent USDA agricultural census, most of the food produced by new and beginning Alaskan farmers is distributed through farmers markets, CSA programs, and farm stands. The Alaska Farmers Market Association (AFMA) is a statewide nonprofit whose mission is to support and promote farmers markets in Alaska and the programs that they offer. In 2022, AFMA received a legislative grant to increase access to locally produced food for the many beneficiaries of food access programs throughout the state, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and the Senior Farmers Market Supplemental Nutrition Program (SFMNP).

Photo from Matanuska Community Farmers Market and winner of the 2023 Alaska Farmers Market Week Photo contest.

Doubling Benefits for Greater Impact

At the start of this five-year grant program, in the 2023 farm season, AFMA began doubling SNAP benefits at farmers markets. This means with every eligible purchase, up to $40 per market, SNAP customers receive double the spending power for the freshest, most nutrient-dense food available. The AFMA market match program is designed to support those in greatest need, including children, young families, elders, and individuals facing financial challenges. Additionally, this program directly supports local farms by increasing their customer base and direct-to-consumer sales, ensuring farmers receive the full value of their produce.

How AFMA SNAP Market Match works:

Shoppers visit the market information booth and swipe their EBT card.
The market provides tokens or vouchers equivalent to double the amount purchased on their EBT card. For example, a $20 purchase on a customer's EBT card provides them with $40 of spending power at the market.
Shoppers spend these tokens on SNAP-eligible items, including fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seeds, meat, jams, jellies, bread, fish, vegetable starts, syrup, honey, dairy, and poultry.

Increasing Access and Supporting Local Farms

Only about 5 percent of all the food purchased in Alaska is grown in the state. To create a stronger food system, local purchasing and local production need to increase. AFMA is contributing to this goal by increasing access for Alaskans of all economic situations to the healthy, nutritious food available at Alaska’s farmers markets.

During the 2023 season, AFMA doubled over $11,000 of SNAP benefits and over $15,000 in WIC FMNP benefits. So far, eight farmers markets out of the 65 across the state are authorized to accept SNAP benefits, so the potential for growth is large. The ability of a market to support programs like SNAP and WIC depends upon the market’s capacity to administer the programs with ample staff or volunteers.

Participating Markets:

Homer Farmers Market
Tanana Valley Farmers Market
Haines Farmers Market
Matanuska Community Farmers Market
Southside Community Market
E&A Produce Market
Grown North Farm
Feirme Bear Don- Kodiak Farmers Market
Grace Acres Farm- Soldotna Saturday Farmers Market

The Role of WIC and SFMNP

The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provide checks for low-income seniors, pregnant women, and women with young children to purchase fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs at farmers markets. As a part of the Market Match program, AFMA provides an additional $15 per WIC FMNP recipient. These federally funded programs aim to increase the use of farmers markets and provide nutritious options to those in need.

Governor Dunleavy’s Alaska Farmers Market Week Proclamation

Making a Difference

As a state, we need to make local food accessible to all Alaskans, and we all play a role in creating a more resilient system. Find your nearest farmers market, and shop there first. If your local market does not currently participate in food access programs, share information about AFMA with the organizers and consider volunteering to help the market set up and run these important programs.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week

During Alaska Farmers Market Week from August 4-10, celebrated in conjunction with National Farmers Market Week, let's celebrate the role farmers markets play in our communities. By supporting these markets, you're helping to create a sustainable food system that benefits everyone. Let's ensure that fresh, healthy food is accessible to all and support the hardworking farmers who make it all possible.