Online farmers market sales open on June 1
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TweetThe Salt & Soil Marketplace, an online farmers’ market based in Haines, will open to online food orders June 1, with pickup of goods starting Saturday, June 3 at the fairgrounds during the traditional farmer’s market.
A pilot project – started this year in Juneau and Haines – is administered locally by the Takshanuk Watershed Council.
Salt & Soil is intended to improve the connection between consumers and producers of local foods, allowing shoppers to buy seafood, produce, bread and other typical market products with certainty. Residents are encouraged to participate as buyers (members) or producers.
Meredith Pochardt, executive director of the watershed council, spoke to the Haines Chamber of Commerce about the program May 19.
“Members can buy their food in advance and know their items are set aside. You don’t have to be at the farmer’s market first thing Saturday morning,” Pochardt said. Pick-up will be 10-11 a.m. Saturdays at the fairgrounds and 3-5 p.m. Monday at the council office at the end of Sawmill Creek Road.
Pick-up of fresh fish will be at the harbor and will be scheduled to work within the timing of commercial fish openings, Pochardt said.
A 25 percent mark-up will be added to producers’ prices to pay for program labor and publicity, Pochardt said. Membership fees for buyers will be waived this year. “We want people to come along with us and give us a shot, to work with us and work out the kinks.”
She said the goal was to increase availability of local foods. “Some of our vendors include ones who’ve never sold locally. Hopefully this will increase the amount of food available locally.”
The watershed council will inspect foods and be responsible for quality control, while producers must adhere to applicable health regulations, Pochardt said.
Grocer Mike Ward attended last week’s chamber meeting and spoke favorably about the program. “If (farmers) have excess product, I might be interested in purchasing some of that,” he said. Ward also said he would expect the council to collect sales tax on sales in order to maintain a level playing field with stores.
The marketplace is open to small producers who may have only a one-time bumper crop of products like rhubarb or oysters.
Melina Shields, co-manager of the weekly Farmers’ Market under Payson’s Pavilion, expects the online market to be a boost. “I see it as a way to promote what the farmers’ market can do. It’s a distribution center.” Outdoor markets will operate 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.
Federal funding is helping pay for the program’s first three years. A $40 membership for buyers is planned for future years.
For more information, contact the council at 766-3542 or go to www. saltandsoilmarketplace.com.
