The Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC) is a coalition of food system stakeholders working to build a stronger, more self-reliant food system in Alaska. The AFPC connects Alaskans through conferences and events, advocates for supportive food policies, and sponsors research on Alaska's food system challenges and opportunities. Its goals are for all Alaskans to have access to affordable, healthy local foods and for Alaska's food industries to thrive in a supportive environment.

1. ALASKA FOOD
POLICY COUNCIL
The
Help us build a healthy, self-
reliant and prosperous
Alaskan food system.

2. The AFPC is a coalition
of food system
stakeholders who work
in agriculture, fishing,
public health, and
hunger prevention.
Since 2010, the AFPC
has been working to
build a stronger food
system in Alaska by
forging new
connections,
advocating for better
policies, and creating
new research.

3. - We don't grow enough food
Over 95% of the food purchased in our stores is
imported, and most of that travels for 60 hours before
arriving in the Port of Anchorage.
Alaskans depend on wild food like fish and game, but
environmental and economic changes have decreased
the availability of traditional subsistence foods. These
changes affect Alaska Native and non-Native
populations alike.
Anchorage residents pay 22% more than the US average
for their food. In rural communities the cost can almost
double. High costs leave low income residents reliant on
cheaper less healthy, processed foods.
- Our food system is changing
CHALLENGESWE
FACE
- Our food is expensive

4. - We have room to grow.
Alaska has an estimated 59 million acres of arable
land. If we set aside 4,700 acres for potatoes, 200
acres for carrots, 200 acres for cabbage, and 600
acres for lettuce, we could stop importing these foods.
Alaskans harvested 50 million pounds of wild foods in
2012, with an estimated economic value of $400
million.
Alaskans love Alaska, and we show it with our wallets.
We spend about $30 million per year on Alaska-grown
food products. 50% of Alaskans purchase fresh
produce direct from farmers, and 34% eat produce from
their own gardens.
- We love to eat wild.
WHEREWESHINE
- We love to support local.

5. 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.
OURVISIONFOR
ALASKA'SFOOD

6. Add subheading
We bring Alaskans together to learn and
celebrate Alaskan food with our Food
Conference & Festival, our Town Hall series,
and by bringing innovative speakers to Alaska.
We Connect

7. Connecting Alaskans: Conference to go Webinar Series
This year we are working
to better serve Alaskans
statewide through a new
webinar series
highlighting the amazing
work our members and
partners do in Alaska and
beyond. Even if you were
unable to attend the
Conference in Anchorage
or other events around
the state, you can still
take advantage (live or
by viewing them in our
archive - coming soon)!

8. We Advocate
The AFPC engages with Alaskan leaders at the
local, state, and federal levels about food systems
issues. A representative from our Board sits on
the Governor's Food Resources Working Group.
Members of our Governing Board spend time in
Juneau every year, educating our legislators about
the importance of food security to all Alaskans.

9. We Advocate: Bringing the fight to you
In 2015 the AFPC sponsored its
first grassroots letter-writing
campaign, giving community
members the tools to advocate for
sensible policies on food issues.
Our first letter encouraged
Governor Walker to pursue a set of
policies that will improve the food
system in Alaska.
The public response was
tremendous and inspiring - and
the Governor's response shows
that he noticed! We hope to
continue to offer our members
opportunities to fight for what
they believe in.

10. We Research
AFPC Website
When we started the AFPC, there was very
little research available on the Alaska
food system. We aim to identify obstacles
to a stronger local food system. Today,
our online research library contains over
50 reports, articles and presentations,
many produced or commissioned by the
AFPC with support from the state.

11. We Research: Building a Food Secure Future
The 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's
recommendations that guide our work:
Ken's findings motivate us and guide our work, but they also suggest new research
priorities. 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

12. 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 big
difference to the AFPC and our local food system.

13. Thank you for your contribution to the
Alaska Food Policy Council.