Food strategy task force, led by Mat-Su Sen. Shelley Hughes, delivers its first report

The Alaska Food Strategy Task Force has released its first of two reports as required by statute with recommendations pertaining to three of its seven assigned focus areas centered around improving food security and independence in Alaska.

Mat-Su state Sen. Shelley Hughes, who chaired the task force, applauded its members’ efforts to pinpoint actionable and achievable steps to overcome the challenges Alaska faces.

“We are currently vulnerable, and it is time we begin to implement tangible solutions. Our overdependence on the lower 48 puts us at one crisis away from a food shortage. An earthquake, a labor strike at a major port, a pandemic – and we would see our store shelves empty out in short order,” Hughes said.

“Rather than an academic discussion about interesting ideas, the report includes specific, workable strategies that list responsible entities, any required statutory or regulatory changes, proposed timelines and action steps, and metrics to be used to measure progress and success. We are not promoting boondoggles or interested in theories on paper. We are focused on actually increasing food production and access to locally grown foods over the coming years,” Hughes said.

Other legislators on the task force include Rep. George Rausher, R-Palmer; Rep. Donna Mears, D-Anch. and Sen. Click Bishop, R-Fairbanks.

The 86-page report addresses growing the agriculture industry; growing markets for local products and improving transportation and infrastructure. The 36-seat task force divided its members into three committees in late spring according to their expertise, and corresponding to the three focus areas.

Each committee began their work in late spring, picking up where the 2022 task force on the same topic of food security left off.

Kelli Foreman, Executive Board member, Kodiak farmer, and Vice President of the Alaska Farm Bureau Kodiak Chapter, shared her perspective and excitement regarding the AFSTF report, process, and future implementation of the recommendations. ““As a farmer, it has been great to actively engage in the process of forming actionable recommendations.” Task Force members are working to help empower farmers to not just survive but thrive in Alaska through enhancing support programs, boosting production, unlocking new avenues to reach and expand markets, and ensuring success in an ever-evolving agricultural landscape, she said.

Michael Jones, with the Institute of Social and Economic Research and an executive board member, said: "Alaska's food security is complex, but requires both sound management of wild food systems and robust supply chains that provide high-quality and affordable food to populations across a vast area.”

“This task force has identified many actionable and data-driven proposals across three initial focus areas that can support local production, reduce waste, and foster economic growth. We hope these intervention options foster high-level discussion and will be strongly considered as our team begins work on the remaining four focus areas," Jones said.

The next report for the task force is due August 1, 2024 and will focus on the remaining four focus areas as well as updates to recommendations in its 2023 report, including reporting on the status and progress of action items incorporated in each recommendation. Hughes said, “We are committed to the work ahead toward greater food independence in our state. The report the Task Force has issued is not intended to collect dust in a file.”

The three focus areas selected for the first report along with corresponding recommendations consist of the following (the order of list does not reflect level of importance):

Sustainably Growing the Agriculture Industry:

○ Create an Alaska Department of Agriculture

○ Expand Leases on State-Owned Land and Ensure Agriculture Activities via a State-Driven Proactive Approach

○ Increase Research Capacity and Programs through UAF Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Stations

○ Improve Access to Capital for Producers through the Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund and the HB 298 Agricultural Forgivable Loan Programs

○ Encourage Tax Exemptions for Farmland

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● Sustainably Growing Markets for Local Products:

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○ Create Alaska Grown Marketing Institute

○ Re-establish an Alaska Meat Inspection Service

○ Add Technical Assistance Officer Position

○ Request Grocery Stores Track and Sell More Alaska Grown Products

○ Expand Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund to Food Processors and Manufacturers

● Improving Transportation and Infrastructure:

○ Improve Maritime Infrastructure

○ Decrease Rural Hub Food Loss via Climate-Controlled Storage Infrastructure

○ Improve Aviation Infrastructure

○ Improve Bypass Mail Operations

○ Improve Data Collection and Analysis

○ Invest in Research and Innovative Technologies

○ Create Supply Chain Coordination Council

○ Increase Food Storage for Community Food Banks and Disaster Preparedness

○ Extend Northern Rail

For a copy of the report and a list of the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force members, email Anneliese.Roberts@akleg.gov.