I live in one of the most remote places in the US — we get groceries airlifted every two months
A woman who lives in one of the world’s most remote villages has to get her groceries flown in by plane every two months.
Salina Alsworth, 27, has lived in Port Alsworth, Alaska, US, her whole life — after her great-grandparents, Babe and Mary Alsworth, moved there in the 1940s.
Salina’s husband, Jared Richardson, 25, a fishing guide, was one of the many tourists who visit the village.
The pair met while Jared was working on the resort where he relocated to in 2022 from Detroit, Michigan, US.
Salina said that Jared has settled well into village life, despite only getting grocery deliveries every two months and having to fly 200 miles to the nearest city.
There are currently 180 people living in the village, with no bars, theatres, shops or restaurants.
Salina, a manager at Lake Clark Resort, said: “Jared and I are now a few years into marriage, and it is great.
“It was definitely a challenge at first, but it grew us in a great way.
“He has been living in the village since 2022. It has been fun sharing our village life with him.
“Being remote wasn’t totally new to him, but driving around in his truck is not something he can do around here – instead, we go around on four-wheelers.
“There isn’t a convenience store, so when you go to your buddies house, and you want some beers or food, you have to raid your own pantry.”
In the 1940s, people were invited to live in Alaska to homestead.
Salina’s great-grandparents both had to prove that they could live self-sufficiently off the land and in return, the government gave them land to live off.
Residents rely on the nearest city, Anchorage, for supplies which can be a challenge to reach – depending on the weather conditions.
Salina said: “Snow and fog are a big factor, there are no hospitals here.
“We have a small clinic which does basic stuff but if you have a baby or need surgery you have to get there by airplane.
“The only shop we have is our little gift shop at my family’s resort.
“There are no theatres, bars, or restaurants.
“We have two coffee shops, but they are the only places in town.
“Winter is a very challenging time, with us being so remote and everything coming from aircraft, snowstorms, and fog are a real issue for us.
“When there are certain weather conditions, only certain types of aircraft can fly – you can go up to a week without planes getting here.”
Sarah said there are food deliveries every two months in the village, and if you need something sooner, you have to travel by plane to the nearest city, Anchorage.
She said: “We get food deliveries once every two months. I try to buy everything I need for the winter in October, when the season is over, and make that last until May.
“In July, we will replenish our freezer with fresh-caught salmon.
“September is Moose season, we get Moose every two years in our family.
“I have been going to the mainland once a month this year for various different reasons.
“But usually it is every four to six months, depending on what is going on.”
Despite its many challenges, Salina said she has no plans to move and loves the community feel in the village.
Salina said: “This is somewhere I always thought I would live, I just can’t think of living anywhere else.
“Whenever there is an emergency, or if someone goes through something, we are always on hand to help each other out.
“Anytime someone goes to the city, they will reach out asking if anyone needs anything.
“We are always looking out for each other.”
