Our Mission
The Matanuska Community Farmers’ Market is a family friendly farm and food-specific market that welcomes all patrons. We aim to offer the community access to locally, sustainably, and naturally grown, produced, harvested, and foraged foods. The market was established in 2023, with the help of the Alaska Farmers’ Market Association and grant funding through the Mat-Su Health Foundation, to aid in the development and growth of the Matanuksa Valley’s small-scale, diversified agricultural production and direct farmer/producer to consumer sales by:
Being an outlet for small scale producers to reach community members
Providing community members with access to sustainably, naturally and locally/Alaska grown, produced, and foraged foods
Increase fresh food access to underserved and low-income individuals and families
Foster farmer and consumer education and relationships
Build community
Meet the Market Staff & Board of Directors
The Matanuska Community Famers Market is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Meet the folks that make the market come to fruition! (Still under construction - stay tuned!)
Brandi Jo Nyberg is the Executive Director and Market Manager of the Matanuska Community Farmers Market. She is co-owner and co-farmer of Sauntering Roots Farm, a mother, fiber enthusiast, writer, and teacher. Brandi Jo is extremely passionate about growing food for her community, soil health, food equity & access, and education.
Brandi Jo Nyberg
The Matanuska Community Farmers Market could not be luckier. Lynn and Kerry are our consistent volunteers that greet and count market shoppers, run SNAP/EBT cards, sell market merchandise, and sometimes even give out free merchandise! Their smiles make the market a better place.
Lynn & Kerry
Zoe Fuller is the Secretary & Vice President of the Matanuska Community Farmers Market Board of Directors. She is also the main farmer at Singing Nettle, whose successful farmstand instigated creation of the market. Along with being a farmer, Zoe is an activist, writer, and local food system advocate, driven by her connection to the land.
Zoe Fuller
Phoebe Autry
Phoebe Autry is President and Treasurer of the Matanuska Community Farmers Market Board of Directors. She is co-owner and co-farmer at Sauntering Roots Farm, alongside Brandi Jo, as well as the Farmland Conservation Director at Alaska Farmland Trust. Her passions lie in growing nutritious food to feed her local community, friends, and family.
Cary Fremin has lived and worked in the Anchorage/Mat Su Valley for over 20 years. She has worked in public health, health education, and with tribal governments for her entire career. Cary is passionate about local food security, growing food and raising animals, and practicing subsistence hunting and fishing. She is an avid fiber artist, wildcrafter, and adventurous maker of all things fermented. Cary is a mother and grandmother- showing her family and community love through baking, sharing food, and being an eager helper.
Cary Fremin
Leisa Carrick has been playing in the dirt for 33 years in the valley, right next to the current location of the market. She enjoys creating beautiful flower and vegetable gardens each summer. She is passionate about helping people gain food security and shelter, and partners with many different organizations in the valley to help those in need.
Leisa is Co-Pastor of the Church of 1000 Trees (Presbyterian) in downtown Palmer and Chaplain at Mat-Su Regional Hospital. Besides gardening, she is a beekeeper, plays guitar, and loves hiking and cycling. She grows sour cherries in her backyard and cherry tomatoes in her greenhouse!
Leisa Carrick
More bios and pictures coming soon.
Dulce Ben-East
FAQ
When and where is the market?
The Matanuska Community Farmers Market is held every Wednesday from 4-7pm from mid-June through the end of September (at least). Our first market of the 2024 season will be June 12. The market is in the parking lot of the United Protestant Presbyterian Church in downtown Palmer: 713 S Denali St. Street parking is available.
Do market vendors accept SNAP/EBT, WIC, or SFMNP?
Yes, we encourage eligible vendors to apply to accept Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons, which includes both Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) coupons. As a market, we accept SNAP, and can double SNAP dollars by up to $40 at each market. For SNAP, you’ll run your EBT card at the Welcome Tent and then can spend your SNAP dollar vouchers on any elligible items from any vendor. The Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons are spect directly at individual farm stands.
Does the market accept debit/credit cards?
Most vendors have card readers to accept debit/credit payments, however, all may not. Additionally, some vendors also have Venmo as a payment option (along with cold, hard cash).
Why doesn’t the market have hot/prepared foods or crafts?
The Matanuska Community Farmers Market loves good food and crafts, but there are already so many events and markets for shoppers to access hot/prepared foods and crafts in Palmer. Our goal in creating the market was to give Palmer what it was lacking – a farm and food-specific market that gives Matanuska Valley residents access to the abundance of products grown, harvested, foraged, and processed in our area. In the future, we hope to host guest prepared food vendors, but in a way that avoids a generator in the middle of the market.
Are pets allowed at the market?
The founders of Matanuska Community Farmers Market are dog people. We ask that all dogs be leashed and controlled by their humans. Additionally, please do not bring a dog that has ever shown any form of aggression toward other dogs or people. This is to ensure the safety of everyone at the market. If a dog is showing aggression or is not following ‘market etiquette,’ we’ll have to ask their human to return without the dog. Please respect these rules so we can always allow dogs.
How do I become a vendor?
If you’re interested in becoming a vendor, please visit the ‘Vendors’ page and read through the vendor handbook to ensure you’re a good fit. Although the application is already closed for the 2024 season, we would still be open to accepting vendors who produce and sell items we need more of, particularly meats, dairy, and honey.