Two Views Of The Fresh Food Situation In Alaska

Two Very Different Versions Of The "Food Situation" In Alaska  Homegrown Alaska vegetables, grown in a plastic greenhouse. July.  ...

Two Very Different Versions Of The "Food Situation" In Alaska 

Homegrown Alaska vegetables, grown in a plastic greenhouse. July. 


 FROM THE COUNTRY JOURNAL

Rural Alaskans struggle with the problems of lengthy winters and gardening. In the Copper Valley the average temperature, year-round and leveled out is 28 degrees above zero. Although some Copper Valley people manage to successfully garden, it isn't easy. And neither is general food-buying of wholesome foods. 

In rural Alaska, studies have shown for years that 30% of Alaska Natives are "food insecure" -- or unable to get the type and quality of food that is typically required for a healthy lifestyle. 

In some areas, farm markets, and local produce are a popular alternative. A recent UAA study apparently found that people are willing to buy very expensive locally grown foods. 

See the results of the UAF Study which describes the problems of getting any type of adequate food in rural Alaska. It's followed by an Alaska Beacon story saying that Alaskans are "willing to pay $1.90 extra" for a head of Alaska-grown lettuce.

So here are two different takes on a problem caused by a place where 95% of all food is either shipped or trucked north in tractor trailers. 




STUDY #1: RURAL ALASKANS HAVE SERIOUS FOOD CHALLENGES 


Many Alaskans, Especially Rural Alaskans, Have Troubles Finding Enough Basic Food 

...According to A UAF Study

See HB298 Alaska Food Strategy Task Force Report Below 

Hunger in Alaska

Food security and climate change are two of Alaska’s most daunting challenges. The Arctic is warming twice as fast as the global average, which affects the ability to access traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering areas. Additionally, Alaskans import 95% of their store-bought food, with rural Alaskans experiencing the most food insecurity.  In 2017, roughly 100,000 Alaskans, or about 14% of the state’s population, relied on SNAP to help feed their families. Further, between 2000 and 2010, over 30% of Alaska Natives were consistently food insecure and were twice as likely to be food insecure when compared to white populations. 

The US Global Food Security Strategy theorizes that “agricultural growth is a mechanism to reduce poverty, especially for the extreme poor in rural areas” through increased access to nutritious foods, improved infrastructure, and increased economic opportunities. By improving capacities in food production, communities experience greater resilience, stronger localized economies, lower poverty, improved and sustained food security and nutrition, and reduced “reliance upon emergency food assistance… even in the face of recurrent shocks and stresses.” Growing and supporting our local and regional Alaskan food systems are crucial to improving food security and building resilient local economies. 

The Food Bank of Alaska, along with Feeding America and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, has provided the following snapshot on Hunger and Poverty in Alaska:

  • Over 95,000 Alaskans – roughly 1 in 8 – struggle with hunger. 
  • 16% of Alaska kids live in homes that may not have enough food. 
  • Roughly 1 in 10 Alaska seniors faces the threat of hunger. While there are more food insecure people living in urban Alaska, the prevalence of food insecurity is higher in rural Alaska. The areas with the highest rates of food insecurity are Kusilvak (formerly Wade Hampton) (28.6%), Bethel (22.9%), Northwest Arctic (22.5%), Yukon-Koyukuk (22.0%) and Nome (19.7%).  
  • About 85,000 Alaskans participate annually in SNAP. 
  • In Alaska, more than 67% of SNAP participants are families with children

STUDY #2: MEANWHILE, ANOTHER UNIVERSITY STUDY CLAIMS THAT ALASKANS WILL PAY PREMIUM PRICES FOR HOMEGROWN PRODUCE 

From the Alaska Beacon, Wednesday, January 15th, 2025 

Grocery shoppers willing to pay more for Alaska Grown produce, study finds 

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