The Crazy Way Some Alaska Residents Get Their Groceries
Some Alaska residents take grocery shopping to a whole new extreme. Living in the expansive state may mean you have to do without certain modern conveniences, which is surprising news to some. And when that happens, getting the basics takes a little extra effort, like getting groceries by plane.
If you live in an urban environment, you can access food quickly. A short drive, a brief walk, or an online Uber order will get you whatever you want. And you can get your favorite foods on a whim.
So wrapping your head around a life where this convenience isn’t possible may be challenging. That is why one Alaska resident wants to pull the curtain back a little. Salina Alsworth shared what it’s like to order groceries by plane with Insider.
Alsworth lives in a remote corner of Alaska. There is a grocery store available for her to shop at. But it’s in Anchorage, which is 160 miles away.
So she has to plan and make a trek to get groceries by plane every few months. The flight takes about an hour in each direction. Once she lands, Alsworth picks up a car and drives around the city to take care of all her shopping needs.
She tries to follow a shopping list closely. But, just like anyone else, new items catch her aisle as she wanders the aisles. Alsworth doesn’t mind the journey too much, which is good news.
However, she does admit that accessing fresh produce is difficult. Getting groceries by plane is ultimately highly dependent on the whims of the weather. “If the weather is bad it might be up to a week before the fresh items I purchase can be flown home,” Alsworth says.
The other problem with getting fresh produce in Alaska is that the harsh weather does not provide ideal growing conditions. So much of the fresh produce sold in the grocery stores is already flown in. That ultimately drives up the price.
But Alsworth doesn’t mind the cost. Since she does not get to eat fresh produce often, she does splurge on a little during her shopping trips. She purchases the bulk of her produce in canned or frozen varieties since they last longer.
Other perishable items freeze successfully, so Alsworth stocks up on those items. Foods like bread, meat, cheese, and milk go straight into boxes for freezing. But the longevity of her groceries is not the only concern.
According to Alsworth, “My groceries also need to board a plane to get home. It can cost anywhere from $0.90 to $2.50 per pound for freight like this to be flown into small villages in southwest Alaska like mine.” She needs to account for all that when she develops her shopping budget.
Alsworth prefers getting groceries by plane rather than shipping them in the mail. It allows her more control over protecting the precious cargo. She carefully sorts and packs every item that may be easily damaged or broken.
News of her shopping adventures is fascinating. But they also make one grateful for the corner market down the street. So, next time you drive across town to your favorite store, remember…others don’t have it so easy.
