Federal mini grants will boost local food supply

After a tumultuous 2020 with spot scarcities of commodities and certain foods, a new federally funded program administered by the state aims to build more resiliency into Alaska’s food supply network.

Applications for micro-grants for food security are now being accepted by the state Division of Agriculture, which is coordinating the program. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15, according to David Schade, the state agriculture director.

Grants to individuals of up to $5,000 and up to $10,000 for organizations such as nonprofits and tribes are available from $1.8 million allocated to Alaska under a special program in the 2018 federal farm bill, Schade said. Another $1.8 million will be available next year, or $3.6 million in total.

The 2020 pandemic focused the attention of many Alaskans to the state’s vulnerability at the end a long supply line from the U.S. west coast.

Desires to buy more locally and to support local growers was evident in consumer demand at Farmer’ Markets, Schade said. Farmers stepped up the supply and backyard and community gardens became popular.

There is every indication that this will continue in 2021, and this is why the new federal mini grants are important in supplying capital for the expansion of locally grown food.

Money for the grants comes from a special program included in the farm bill for Alaska, Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific island territories. This was recognition for these regions’ disconnect from the mainland U.S. and the logistics challenges of long supply lines for commodity and food.

Many federal farm programs are designed for the contiguous Lower 48 states where there is infrastructure and good surface transportation.

The new program is intended to enhance a community’s ability to produce, store and distribute food, Schade said. There is a wide variety in the types of projects that can be funded, ranging from greenhouses, local cold storage and processing facilities to fencing for livestock, Schade said.

Food storage for community nonprofit food banks is one area where a particular need has been identified during recent economic difficulties in many Alaska communities.

“I’m looking for innovation but also things that can be sustained, he said.

Small-scale gardening applications is one area of emphasis. Grant money can be used for gardening tools or equipment, refrigeration, purchase and assembly of composting units and towers to grow leafy greens.

The money can also be used to but animals and buy and erect fencing. Supplies needed to set up a slaughter and process facility, including purchase of a mobile slaughterhouse, are also eligible.

Schade said there will be an emphasis on building a storage and distribution out to “hubs” in rural communities to reduce the current dependence on facilities in major population centers, which now makes the system vulnerable to disruption.

“We see a real need for freezing and refrigeration in communities outside Anchorage,” Schade said.

The Salvation Army in Palmer, one nonprofit engaged in food assistance, was really stressed in 2020 by shortages of storage and frozen food space.

Another emphasis in the new program will be on education so young people can learn to grow their own food. Hydroponic and other projects in schools are being encouraged, he said.

What’s also important is that projects can be aggregated among several individuals and organizations in communities. For example, several members of a family engaged in farming can apply for $5,000 grants for up to three years, which will multiply the dollars available, Schade said.

Likewise, several organizations in a community can apply for separate $10,000 grants for up to three years to jointly fund a larger project. A 10 percent local match is required but this may be waived for individual grants under certain circumstances, according to information on the division’s web site.

Although programs in the federal farm bill are being gradually adjusted to Alaska there are still quirks, and Schade spends a lot of time working with U.S. Dept. of Agriculture officials to get more flexibility.

One example is that liquid milk and cottage cheese be included in food boxes sent to small rural communities. Those foods are often spoiled by the time they reach their destination. There are practical substitutes, like powdered milk, but it takes time to adjust the federal rules.

Another example that became a problem in 2020 was a requirement that food aid for rural communities be packed in small boxes for shipments. Larger, case-size packages are more efficient for rural Alaska. Using small boxes adds a lot of cost in handling and extra packaging.