BuyAlaska Partner Highlight |
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Alaska Farmers Market Association |
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The Alaska Farmers Market Association (AFMA) is dedicated to supporting and promoting vibrant, sustainable farmers markets throughout Alaska. Farmers Markets are growing, literally! In 2005 the Division of Agriculture listed 13 markets throughout the State, in 2014 that number grew to 37, and in 2020 AFMA listed more than 50 markets in operation or planning stages! In 2021, we’ve already heard of at least four new markets forming. Alaska leads the nation in agricultural growth and there’s no sign of it slowing down.
Buying locally has become more important than ever, especially in light of a global pandemic and supply chain disruptions. If every Alaskan spent just $5 a week on Alaska Grown products, we’d add tens of millions of dollars back into our local economies. In fact, if every Alaskan household shifted to purchasing $20 a week ($1,000 a year) from a national chain store or online outlets, to locally-owned businesses, this would infuse an additional $103 million into Alaska’s economy each year. Farmers Markets are the perfect place to directly support your neighbors, coworkers, friends, and family–and keep your money in our local communities instead of leaving the state.
We work hard to ensure that every Alaskan has access to the fresh, healthy, local foods sold at Farmers Markets. Through food assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and Senior Nutrition Coupons (SFMNP), we work towards ensuring that everyone has equitable access to local food.
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This June, eat, share, and love BuyAlaska recipes. We have created a page for Alaskans to come together and share recipes featuring the best Alaska ingredients. Submit a recipe featuring one of the Alaska ingredient categories, browse recipes from fellow Alaskans, and find businesses that sell the products you need to stock up. |
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In Business for Alaska Businesses |
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BuyAlaska Invites You to Rediscover Alaska this Summer |
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This last year, Alaskans helped to do their part by staying home. Now, with more communities re-opening their doors to visitors, there is no better time to fill your summer with the best of Alaska has to offer by supporting local businesses. Our Alaska businesses will feel the effects of the pandemic for years to come.
Rediscover the adventure, beauty, and character of Alaska. This summer, think local first and use the BuyAlaska Business Directory to discover the businesses in your backyard or beyond.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Joins the Fleet Supporting Shop Local Alaska |
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This May, Norwegian Cruise Lines has announced their support for Shop Local Alaska - a collaboration between BuyAlaska and Voyij.com - to generate more revenue for Alaska small businesses in another tough cruise season.
This news comes following Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruise Line's pledge to also market Shop Local Alaska to past and future guests, travel agents, cruise line employees, and other Alaskans.
Shop Local Alaska is hosted on Voyij.com - an online marketplace exclusively for Alaska businesses.
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BuyAlaska Discount Club Creates Incentives for Local Spending |
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The BuyAlaska program aims to connect consumers with Alaskan-owned businesses. One of the perks of creating a free membership account is access to the BuyAlaska Discount Club.
This is a place for businesses to offer discounts to our other valued members and make it easy to choose local first. If you are a consumer, check the list to find your next local deal. If you are a business owner, check the list for opportunities to connect with other businesses - or submit a discount using the link below.
Happy Saving!
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Stirring up Success with Lemonade Day Alaska |
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America was built on the back of small businesses. Entrepreneurs take risks, believing they can realize their dream if they work hard, take responsibility, and act as good stewards of their resources. Today’s youth share that optimism and Lemonade Day Alaska serves to provide mentorship and real-world experience necessary to be successful in those entrepreneurial endeavors. As part of a national initiative and program of the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) through the UAA Business Enterprise Institute (BEI), Lemonade Day Alaska is an annual Alaskan experiential event that teaches K-12 children how to plan and launch their own business through a simple model: a lemonade stand!
Lemonade Day is a strategic lesson-based program that walks kid-entrepreneurs from a dream to a business plan while teaching them the same principles required to start any company. Inspiring kids to work hard and make a profit, they are also taught to spend some, save some and share some by giving back to their community. Since its launch in 2011 in Alaska, the Lemonade Day Alaska chapter has grown to serve more than 18,000 children in 70 Alaskan communities in their efforts to surpass the sale of $5M worth of lemonade!
Lemonade Day Alaska is coming up on Saturday, June 26th. Learn about participating communities and register online at lemonadeday.org/alaska/events
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FlyLocal Launches in Support of Local Alaska Air Carriers |
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FlyLocal is the easiest way to explore flights to 200+ unique destinations in Alaska via scheduled service from local air carriers.
Alaska is home to a wide variety of local air carriers, but most of them cannot be found on traditional air travel websites because of high up-front costs. Due to this lack of online distribution, most travelers from out-of-state are unaware that these options even exist! We created FlyLocal to serve as a marketplace dedicated exclusively to the needs of these amazing local businesses.
Whether you are visiting the Arctic, Interior, Southcentral, Southwest, or Inside Passage, visit FlyLocal.io to find a fantastic local air carrier ready to take you on an Alaskan adventure.
Explore and book flights to 200+ unique Alaskan destinations aboard local air carriers: flylocal.io/go
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Juneau Makerspace Makes Space for Budding Artists and Entrepreneurs |
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Juneau Makerspace fosters connections between artists and entrepreneurs. It is the best place for Juneauites to express their creativity and innovation!
The Makerspace provides space, tools, and equipment to the community of Juneau via a membership model, as well as serving as an event space available for rentals. Members have 24/7 access to the space and all the tools and materials inside! We've got everything from 3D printers, laser cutters, and a woodshop to pottery wheels, sewing machines, and candle-making supplies.
Anyone interested in joining can make an appointment with the nonprofit's board to arrange a tour. We would love to show you around the space and help you achieve your creative dreams! We offer memberships for individuals, students, and families. See our website at juneaumakerspace.org for more details and contact information. We can't wait to see what you make!
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The mission of BuyAlaska is to promote and elevate local businesses to better Alaska’s economy.
We do that with YOU.
Please like, follow, share, and most importantly, interact with us.
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Programs for BuyAlaska Business Members |
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Promotional items are available for FREE!
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We welcome all ideas for supporting Alaskan-owned businesses.
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The BuyAlaska Program is a multi-stakeholder and statewide initiative housed by the Alaska Small Business Development Center (Alaska SBDC) under the UAA Business Enterprise Institute (BEI) and partially funded by the Small Business Administration (SBA) |
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