Restaurant owners are heeding the call of the many Alaskans who want to support local farmers by buying local produce. Fortunately, there is an increasing number of people in the food industry—from farmers to distributors to restaurant owners—who are committed to creating a sustainable pipeline.
“Our goal by adding another weekend is to help spread out the Fair crowds and keep fairgoers as safe as possible as Alaska continues to respond to the global pandemic,” says Jerome Hertel, Fair CEO.
The award recognizes the retailer’s marketing creativity and success during the fourth-annual “Alaska Grown $5 Challenge” campaign.
The grant program seeks to enhance Alaska’s specialty crops’ competitiveness, sustain farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthen local communities.
While Alaska enjoys the benefits of a global supply system, it is simply responsible to support home-grown systems we can rely on, just in case,” says David W. Schade, director of the Division of Agriculture.
Greg and Weatherly Bates operate Alaska Shellfish Farm, which produces and sells oysters and mussels and recently expanded into the kelp market.