Sitka Local Foods Network February 2015 Newsletter

2015 Sitka Farmers Market dates set

Help celebrate Independence Day by attending the first Sitka Farmers Market of the 2015 summer. The first market will be from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall (235 Katlian St.). Then there will be markets every other Saturday until Sept. 12. Our dates this year are July 4 and 18, Aug. 1, 15 and 29, and Sept. 12. All six markets are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the ANB Founders Hall. Don't forget we accept WIC and SNAP farmers market benefits, for those people in those supplemental nutrition programs.

In addition, we will be launching a search for a Sitka Farmers Market manager and assistant manager this month. An updated job description and duties will be posted soon on our website, http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org/.

It's that time again. In 2015, the Sitka Local Foods Network hopes you will support us in the Pick.Click.Give. charitable giving program when you apply for your Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.

Your support helps us in our mission to promote and encourage the growing, harvesting and eating of local foods in Sitka and Southeast Alaska. Your contributions support the Sitka Farmers Market, St. Peter's Fellowship Farm communal garden, educational programs on growing and preserving local food, the sustainable use of traditional foods, and other local foods-oriented programs in Sitka.

Eligible Alaskans can file for their PFDs from Jan. 1 to March 31. Go to pfd.alaska.gov/ and follow the application's directions. Near the end of your application you'll be asked if you want to participate in the charitable giving program. Click yes, and you'll be taken to the Pick.Click.Give. part of the application. Search for the Sitka Local Foods Network and add a contribution in multiples of $25. There are more than 500 participating nonprofits from around the state, including 22 from Alaska. Even though the PFD application deadline is in March, Alaskans have until Aug. 31 to go back into their PFD applications to update and add new Pick.Click.Give. donations.

Anybody who makes a Pick.Click.Give. donation will be entered into the Double Your Dividend Sweepstakes, where 10 lucky Alaskans win a second PFD. We thank you for your support.