The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded several Alaska-based organizations substantial grants to help fortify food security in the state.
The funding will help a network of organizations dedicated to expanding food access, empowering local producers, and building a resilient statewide food network to strengthen the foundation of Alaska’s food systems and drive economic development across diverse communities.
The funding will go to organizations in Homer, Anchorage, and Tyonek, and is designed to combat Alaska’s unique challenges with food security caused by the state’s remoteness and harsh climate.
Total funding for the following four programs amounts to more than $1 million.
Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC), Homer – $385,000
The AFPC will utilize its USDA funding to establish the Alaska Food Value Chain
Coordination Council, enhancing collaboration within Alaska’s food systems by fostering
connections between state agencies, food producers, businesses, and higher education.
Additionally, AFPC will develop a centralized data repository to map food system assets,
ensuring that Alaska’s food system data is accessible for strategic planning, policy
development, and advanced analytics. AFPC has cultivated a statewide grassroots
network that engages diverse voices to create lasting, systemic changes in Alaska’s food
system. Building on extensive community input and two major state food strategy
reports, the council and data repository projects will address the need for a coordinated,
resilient statewide food system, ultimately reducing reliance on imported foods.
Catholic Social Services, Anchorage – $250,000
In Anchorage’s Mountain View and Muldoon neighborhoods, Catholic Social Services
will help refugees and low-income residents access local food through its “From Need to
Seed” initiative. The project supports a food hub at Grow North Farm, where refugee
farmers can sell produce through farmers markets, roadside stands, and
community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. It will also help refugees develop
skills to produce value-added goods, fostering economic opportunities and strengthening
local food availability.
Arctic Harvest Deliveries, Anchorage – $50,000
Arctic Harvest Deliveries will increase awareness of locally available farm products
through its online Farm Share program. By expanding its delivery network to reach
communities such as Nome and villages around Norton Sound, Arctic Harvest will
connect remote Alaskans with fresh, locally grown produce. This project aims to increase demand for Alaskan-grown foods while supporting the state’s agricultural sector.
Tyonek Tribal Conservation District, Anchorage – $466,000
The Tyonek Tribal Conservation District’s “Tyonek GATHER” project will establish a food
hub that aggregates and distributes produce from Indigenous and small-scale producers.
Focused on supporting traditional food practices and creating economic opportunities in
Tyonek, the project provides training for local producers and assessments to identify
food system needs. Tyonek’s proximity to Anchorage offers a unique opportunity to
integrate local and regional food supply chains, strengthening food sovereignty and
supporting local food resilience.
These USDA-supported projects focus on immediate needs and long-term solutions. From
convening food systems practitioners to examine supply chain issues to supporting refugee
farmers and expanding fresh produce access in remote communities, this funding aims to
strengthen Alaska’s food economy across urban and rural areas alike.
These projects create economic opportunities across the state, from training refugee farmers to expanding distribution channels for Alaska-grown produce. With Alaska’s food system highly dependent on imports, remote communities often face high costs and limited fresh food options.
These grants represent a forward-looking investment in Alaska’s ability to support itself through local, sustainable food sources.
