Comments on: Food in Fairbanks

By: Eric Burkett

Eric Burkett — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:07:09 +0000

As a former Alaskan, I can attest to a burgeoning “local grown” movement, and the produce was among the best I’ve ever had. Long days of sunshine and cool nights make for especially sweet root vegetables and crucifers. Carrots grown in Alaska are incredibly sweet, as are the strawberries: far more so than those I’ve encountered down here.

And that zucchini? Unlike the 2-footers one encounters in the Lower 48, the one that Marion ran across was actually edible. Those long summer days produce larger vegetables far more quickly than down here, which means giant zucchini are still tender at a size most gardeners might consider compost material.

I hope you got to try some local game, too, Marion. Caribou and moose are wonderful eating.

By: Wanda

Wanda — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:27:01 +0000

Awww Fairbanks! I lived there for a short while. I worked in a seasonal position and to get fresh food was sometimes too expensive. Does local mean cheaper?

“Grown somewhere in Alaska” is locally grown. Haha.

The Farmer’s Market is nice after long winters.

By: Janet Camp

Janet Camp — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:14:54 +0000

It’s nice to hear something about Alaska more positive that it’s politics! Thanks for sharing and the photos. I look forward to the Hammer Museum; on my next trip west, I’m going to include Alaska.

By: Rachel McCormack

Rachel McCormack — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:31:43 +0000

Good to see that even in Alaska they are getting into locally grown food.

By: Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 22:53:55 +0000

A two-foot long zucchini is nothing special: it’s simply a sign that the plot hasn’t been picked in a few days.

Big zucchini are a joke among us gardeners, and we often leave them on our neighbor’s doorstep in the middle of the night.