AFPC’s 2024 Legislative Priorities
The Alaska Food Policy Council’s goal is to create a healthier, more secure, and more self-reliant Alaska by improving our food system. We can help to achieve this through targeted policies and investments, to create a diverse and resilient food economy. This legislative session, let’s keep these priorities in mind so that together, we can build a thriving Alaska Food System.
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Keep $4.5M in the budget for food bank purchases
Keep funding in the budget for additional staffing at the Division of Public Assistance
Support SNAP improvements: Implement Broad Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) Support HB196, HB198, SB149
Increase capacity at DEED Child Nutrition Services to implement Summer EBT in 2025
Implement a Free School Meals for All program
Improve food security for Alaska’s active military & veterans
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Establish an Alaska State Department of Agriculture
Improve producer and manufacturer access to capital through Alaska’s Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund
Fund the Agriculture Forgivable Loan Program
Fund a Technical Assistance position at the AK Division of Agriculture
Fund University of Alaska argiculture research programs and the AK Cooperative Extension
Fund Alaska’s Soil & Water Conservation Districts
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Adequately fund the Alaska Marine Highway System for functional scheduling and reliable operations
Create an Alaska Supply Chain Coordination Council
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Ensure Tribal consultations and representation in new or revised policies, mariculture leases, state land leases, and land-use planning for agricultural development
Support Tribal self-determination for administering federal programs, including USDA nutrition programs
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List Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation Shellfish Sanitation program as an essential service
Update and improve Alaska Grown procurement laws and procedures
Why These Priorities? Why Now?
Our priorities were developed through the Governor’s 2022 Food Security & Independence Task Force Report, the 2023 AK Legislative Food Strategies Task Force Report, and AFPC’s 2022 Alaska Food Security Action Plan. These studies brought together stakeholders and experts from across Alaska, providing us with an opportunity to move forward strategically and improve food security for Alaskans through targeted budget allocations and policy implementation.
Food accessibility is a real challenge for Alaskans because of our geography, our policies, our growing seasons, and much more... but we also have unique opportunities that can help support the foundation for building food economies that work for everyone.
EVERYBODY EATS.
