Is it hard to be a vegetarian in Alaska (house, university)

[Metlakatla]

fk--the bananas I've gotten here are not so bad, really. Bananas are picked and shipped before they are even ripe.

I do think though that c.adam had a good point. That person was talking about fuel costs et al in relation to global warming. But that's going to be true of anyplace, really, and all the more reason, in my opinion, for people to try to depend less on the grocery stores and more on their own innovation when it comes to their food sources.

[Out of Alaska]

I kind of monitor a few of my favs at the local groceries... so just as info (and at the risk of sounding like a contestant on the Price is Right!!!)

In Fairbanks, peppers are smaller and more beaten up. Green peppers are $2 each, red/yellow/orange are $4 each. Bananas as stated earlier - are really okay. $1.29/lb. Cucumbers aren't as bad, and they are *good* . HOWEVER - I have bought strawberries and grapes with mold already on them. Melons are expensive. Tomatoes are horrid. Expensive and not good. Apples are good!

On the flipside... while rhubarb is $2.29/lb at fred meyer... there are more people giving it away than I thought possible... I have a freezer-full ready for pies. I got a grocery bag of lettuce yesterday from a coworker. I would be willing to bet you could just about make it during the summer on a big garden and fish that you caught (if you're that kind of vegetarian...sorry not pc up on this stuff).

[Marylandkitten]

I thought vegetarians = no eating fish? or was that vegan? or is vegan = not eating anything.... hmm.

Ok. Good to know on the bananers! yes - I've heard strawberries are pretty sad sometimes over there. It makes for an interesting point, especially I would think for any vegetarians that are wanting to relocate, to start your own garden!!! Just beware the moose? I've seen the warnings that they jump 6 foot fences just to have their morning trample.

/cheers

[danandcindy11801]

Thanks so much everyone for your input. You have helped tremendously. I now have this picture of a moose in my garden and trying to chase him out with a waterhose like I do the little deer around here. hmmmm

[scoobagirl]

From some of the real estate pics I've seen, it appears that having a small greenhouse in your backyard is not unusual "up there".

I would expect you could grow your leaf lettuces maybe year-round... and get a good head start on the summer garden by starting your own seeds. Of course, tomatoes just aren't the same grown in a greenhouse.

but hey, there's always canned and frozen veggies and fruits available too.

[Marylandkitten]

Originally Posted by danandcindy11801

I now have this picture of a moose in my garden and trying to chase him out with a waterhose like I do the little deer around here. hmmmm

a waterhose? bah..... isn't that what they invented scarecrows for? They work on moose... right guys? ...guys?

[Rance]

Leaf lettuce grows great here. I've got 3 rows 50 foot long with three kinds in it now. I'm already giving stuff away. I still don't know why I made such a big garden.
A greenhouse is good for the things that need to start early and grow late. I don't have one but nearly everyone I know does.
Many can or jar their veggies for use through the winter.

[Tressa]

As far a a greenhouse for year around not sure it would be cost affective for an individual home. I supply natural gas to several greenhouses here in Anchorage and their fuel bills for heating in the winter times is way off the scale when it comes monthly expense. that is one of the reason our nurseries are more expensive than those in the lower 48's, not uncommom to see a monthly heating bill for a nursery to be $50,000.00 in the middle of winter.

[Tressa]

Originally Posted by Alaskan_Adventurer

Greenhouses work pretty well here. That is something you may consider. Our berries really are the BEST. You can find raspberry patches, and fields of blueberries. Or you can do it the easy way and clean out a neighbors garden. Just blame it on the moose and leave evidence. A trampled fence, etc.

Wow I like it, our neighbor has a nice garden I will have to try the moose idea before all the goods are gone.

[Xa'at]

I think it depends on where you are. I think living in a large city (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau) will not be any different, however I would certainly not recommend moving to Sitka or Angoon, etc...
In Juneau the fruits don't taste any worse (or better!) than the stuff down south.
I think Alaska is actually an okay place to be vegetarian, but probably not a great place to be a vegan. It really depends on whether you eat fish!
I only eat poultry and fish and I have found Alaska to be absolutely fine. We have lots of oriental restaurants with veggie options, a nice natural foods store (Rainbow Foods), etc...