Food Security at its Source

“We were only able to start our farm because of the support we got along the way,” says Leah Wagner, co-owner of Foundroot. Wagner operates the Alaska seed company with her husband, Nick Schlosstein. Foundroot sells open pollinated seeds that have proven suitable for Alaska’s growing conditions. They have been around for nine seasons and moved to Haines in 2015 to begin breeding Alaskan seed varieties. Their mission is to empower more people to grow their own food, no matter the scale, and to support systems of self-reliance and food sovereignty for northern communities—with great seeds at the center of it.

In 2020, folks panic bought seeds when the lockdown began as well as toilet paper and flour. With overwhelming demand, companies were facing upwards of four-week shipping delays. Being a hyper local company, Foundroot temporarily closed their shop to out of state orders to make sure Alaskans got the seeds they needed. Although they had been around for nine seasons, 2020 was the first year Wagner and Schlosstein were able to transition from working other jobs alongside their business to working full time on Foundroot. “The panic buying, but also the focus on supporting local, is what pushed Foundroot over the edge to make it financially viable,” says Wagner.

Foundroot’s growth has allowed them to “reach more Alaskans, and be a better, more reliable resource for food security,” Wagner says “Our customers supported us, so we are doing whatever we can to support them.” Foundroot has increased the acreage where they grow seeds and vegetables for their seasonal market garden. They redesigned their website to include resources for gardeners and increase their sales capacity. They even purchased equipment to print their own packaging, reducing delays in broken supply lines.

The pandemic, says Wagner, has revealed a need for “a safety net in Alaska, not just through food, and growing food, but in the way we treat each other. The kindness and support we have received from our customers throughout the pandemic just further solidified our commitment to doing this work and serving our community as best we can.”

If you’re new to Foundroot, or to gardening, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Foundroot is generous with tips for new gardeners, and their seeds are selected, tested, and proven for northern climates. “We happily answer questions from gardeners around the state and share our network and resources.” Foundroot attracts new gardeners frequently because they are a one-stop shop for cold climate seeds. They take a lot of guesswork out of gardening in Alaska’s bioregions.

This sponsored content is produced in collaboration with Foundroot.