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Couple Who Ate Local for a Year Offer Their KnowledgeGiving tours of their home-grown operationRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - Last fall we introduced you to an Anchorage couple who was taking a “local food challenge.” Matt Oster and Saskia Esslinger vowed to eat only food that was grown or produced in Alaska for an entire year, with as much as possible coming from their own backyard. Now that year has come and gone, and Saskia says for the most part it was a complete success. Simmering the kale, chard and dandelion leaves in caribou broth until they are tender, Saskia purees the mixture in a blender. It’s a meal for her 7-month-old son Gracen who has eaten nothing but local since the day he was born. “He actually really loves this,” says Saskia, letting Gracen slurp up a spoonful of the vibrantly green mixture. “And he has never been sick ever, not a fever, sniffle or a cold.” Saskia says the family’s passion for eating fresh food is as strong as ever and a year of “eating local” was more of a pleasure. “We didn’t really feel like it was much of a challenge to be honest.” Over the last three years the couple has transformed their 9,000 square foot lot in Midtown Anchorage into a bountiful garden, complete with a henhouse for fresh eggs. The Williams Street Farmhouse is named for the street the property sits on, and while it may seem an unlikely location, smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood, the farm has proved incredibly productive. “Last year we harvested more than 1,600 pounds of produce,” says Saskia. “We still have spaghetti squash left and lots of produce in the freezer.” Leftovers were one of the biggest surprises learned from a year of eating local. The couple actually put away too much food for the winter. Saskia says it’s a relief to know she won’t have to work quite as hard this year prepping, canning and preparing foods for storage. Despite the work involved, the couple plans to continue eating local and they have also made it a mission to show others how it can be done. Saskia is conducting twice weekly tours of the property throughout the summer to show others how much food can be grown, even in an urban environment. “There's so much opportunity out here if everyone were to turn their lawn or at least a part of their lawns into gardens. We could grow a significant portion of the food we need right here in the city.” The William Street Farmhouse is proving it can be done. |
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Greg G said on Saturday, Jul 21 at 10:20 AM
Yes but what did the local think about the idea?
97050666Lisa said on Monday, Jul 16 at 5:21 PM
This is wonderful. They are prepared for when technology fails, and it will. Believe me, your iPhone won't feed you or keep you warm.
96568996Tapia said on Monday, Jul 16 at 12:01 PM
How do people find out when tours are going or sign up? Great story!
96543276Just asking said on Sunday, Jul 15 at 9:27 PM
Where's the knowledge? I wanted to know what they ate, how they utilized it and how they kept it form being boring.
96487166no imagination said on Sunday, Jul 15 at 6:30 PM
misleading title
96479316Trevor said on Sunday, Jul 15 at 11:28 AM
That's awesome, as we also try to grow some of own veggies. I'd like to see how their set up is for ideas.
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