Eight boxes of living basil made it to a handful of Anchorage grocery stores last week, marking the first deliveries of the first large-scale, commercial hydroponic grow operation in Alaska.
Alaska Natural Organics founder and majority owner Jason Smith said eight boxes of basil -- accounting for just under 100 plants -- were delivered to some Anchorage-area grocery stores including Carrs/Safeway and New Sagaya. Smith would have it everywhere if he could, but noted it’s just the beginning of what will he hopes is fresher, year-round greens across Anchorage and the rest of Alaska.
Smith set up in the old Matanuska Maid building in midtown Anchorage earlier this year and originally hoped to begin selling his greens in May. However, production delays kept them from meeting that target.