ALASKA FOODPOLICY COUNCIL

The

Help us build a healthy, self-reliant and prosperousAlaskan food system.

The AFPC is a coalitionof food system

stakeholders who workin agriculture, fishing,

public health, andhunger prevention.

Since 2010, the AFPChas been working tobuild a stronger foodsystem in Alaska by

forging newconnections,

advocating for betterpolicies, and creating

new research.

- We don't grow enough food Over 95% of the food purchased in our stores isimported, and most of that travels for 60 hours beforearriving in the Port of Anchorage.

Alaskans depend on wild food like fish and game, butenvironmental and economic changes have decreasedthe availability of traditional subsistence foods. Thesechanges affect Alaska Native and non-Nativepopulations alike.

Anchorage residents pay 22% more than the US averagefor their food. In rural communities the cost can almostdouble. High costs leave low income residents reliant oncheaper less healthy, processed foods.

- Our food system is changing

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CE - Our food is expensive

- We have room to grow.Alaska has an estimated 59 million acres of arableland. If we set aside 4,700 acres for potatoes, 200acres for carrots, 200 acres for cabbage, and 600acres for lettuce, we could stop importing these foods.

Alaskans harvested 50 million pounds of wild foods in2012, with an estimated economic value of $400million.

Alaskans love Alaska, and we show it with our wallets.We spend about $30 million per year on Alaska-grownfood products. 50% of Alaskans purchase freshproduce direct from farmers, and 34% eat produce fromtheir own gardens.

- We love to eat wild. W

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- We love to support local.

The AFPC has 5 goals for Alaska:1. All Alaskans have access to affordable,

healthy (preferably local) foods.

How are we working to get there?

2. Alaska’s food-related industries have a

strong workforce and operate in a supportive

business environment.

3. Food is safe, protected and supplies are

secure throughout Alaska.

4. Alaska’s food system is more sustainable.

5. Alaskans are engaged in our food system.

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We bring Alaskans together to learn andcelebrate Alaskan food with our Food

Conference & Festival, our Town Hall series,and by bringing innovative speakers to Alaska.

We Connect

Connecting Alaskans: Conference to go Webinar Series

This year we are workingto better serve Alaskansstatewide through a newwebinar serieshighlighting the amazingwork our members andpartners do in Alaska andbeyond. Even if you wereunable to attend theConference in Anchorageor other events aroundthe state, you can stilltake advantage (live orby viewing them in ourarchive - coming soon)!

We AdvocateThe AFPC engages with Alaskan leaders at the

local, state, and federal levels about food systemsissues. A representative from our Board sits onthe Governor's Food Resources Working Group. Members of our Governing Board spend time in

Juneau every year, educating our legislators aboutthe importance of food security to all Alaskans.

We Advocate: Bringing the fight to youIn 2015 the AFPC sponsored itsfirst grassroots letter-writingcampaign, giving communitymembers the tools to advocate forsensible policies on food issues.Our first letter encouragedGovernor Walker to pursue a set ofpolicies that will improve the foodsystem in Alaska.

The public response wastremendous and inspiring - andthe Governor's response showsthat he noticed! We hope tocontinue to offer our membersopportunities to fight for whatthey believe in.

We Research

AFPC W

ebsite

When we started the AFPC, there was verylittle research available on the Alaska

food system. We aim to identify obstaclesto a stronger local food system. Today,our online research library contains over50 reports, articles and presentations,many produced or commissioned by the

AFPC with support from the state.

We Research: Building a Food Secure FutureThe AFPC is very proud of the research we have produced, especially economist Ken

Meter's 2014 report, Building Food Security in Alaska. Here are some of Ken'srecommendations that guide our work:

Ken's findings motivate us and guide our work, but they also suggest new researchpriorities. The AFPC hopes to sponsor research that expands on Ken's work in the

future.

• Foster subsistence harvesting and related skills• Build personal capacities in agriculture

• Expand agriculture and gardening• Build infrastructure that supports local food production• Adopt state policy that supports local food production• Focus consumer attention on staying loyal to Alaska-

grown food• Expand food processing and manufacturing for in-state

markets• Strengthen internal food distribution networks

• Strengthen statewide transparency and coordination

We love Alaska.We are proud of the work we have done so far, and we believe

that we have more work to do - and we need your support! Join us in building a stronger, more secure, and more

prosperous Alaska. A small donation from you will make a bigdifference to the AFPC and our local food system.

Thank you for your contribution to theAlaska Food Policy Council.