Food Security Week 2024: What’s in Store.
By Rachel Lord, Advocacy and Policy Director, AFPC
Every year around Valentine’s Day, Alaskans from across the state head to the Capital to share food stories with our Legislature. In addition to connecting over food and sharing stories of our favorite meals, we truly go to Juneau to remind our elected officials what is happening on the ground, in our communities. How our food pantries serve our families, how our farmers are working to grow more food, how the State can make strategic policy and budget investments to strengthen and grow Alaska’s food security.
The Food Security Week Fly-in is an incredible example of the strength of our food network in Alaska. Partners on the 2024 Fly-in include AFPC, the Alaska Food Coalition, Food Bank of Alaska, Alaska Farm Bureau, Alaska Farmland Trust, and the Alaska Farmers Market Association.
We will be in Juneau from February 12-16, 2024. With nearly 50 people signed up with the Alaska Food Coalition, we will be working together to hone our advocacy skills, learn more about what’s happening at the state and federal levels around food access programs (SNAP, WIC, etc), and in small groups we will meet with nearly all of our state legislators!
On Monday and Wednesday, our organizations will take turns hosting a ‘Lunch & Learn’ presentation for members of the Alaska Legislature. Monday’s Lunch & Learn will be sponsored by Rep. Mears, and will feature members of the Alaska Food Coalition sharing stories of their anti-hunger work, along with an update from the Alaska Food Policy Council. On Wednesday the Alaska Farm Bureau will give an update on food production and is sponsored by Sen. Bjorkman. You can see the flyer here, and all of the Lunch & Learn presentations will be available to watch online at Gavel Alaska.
On Tuesday, we’ll be hosting our legislative reception, “Appetizers with Advocates,” at The Rookery downtown. Also while in Juneau, we are coordinating with inspirational food heroes from the University of Alaska, the Alaska Farm Service Agency/USDA, and members of the state Administration to help guide and grow meaningful change for Alaskan agriculture.
The legislature meets in Juneau to develop policy and negotiate budgets on behalf of every one of us around Alaska; next week we will be there in person. Throughout the rest of the session, we'll be watching and testifying from our communities across the state. Our goal is to continually remind elected officials of the impact their decisions can have on improving food security and resilience in Alaska. Further details about AFPC's policy priorities can be found here.
Please reach out to our Advocacy & Policy Director, Rachel Lord, with questions or concerns.
OUR PARTNERS FOR THE FLY-IN:
ALASKA FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION
AFMA’S mission is to support and foster vibrant and sustainable farmers markets throughout Alaska. AFMA is a nonprofit organization aiming to improve the well-being of Alaska's communities through resources and grant opportunities for Alaska's agricultural community.
FOOD BANK OF ALASKA
Food Bank of Alaska is dedicated to eliminating hunger in Alaska by obtaining and providing food to partner agencies feeding hungry people and through anti-hunger leadership. We believe that no one deserves to be hungry.
ALASKA FOOD COALITION
Food Bank of Alaska is proud to sponsor the Alaska Food Coalition (AFC), a dynamic group of anti-hunger advocates from all corners of the state. More than 120 non-profit, faith-based and state agencies work together to support policies and programs focused on alleviating hunger, building healthy communities, and promoting access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food.
ALASKA FARM BUREAU
The Alaska Farm Bureau's mission is to improve the economic well-being and expansion of agriculture and to enrich the quality of life for all Alaskans.
ALASKA FARMLAND TRUST
Alaska Farmland Trust Corporation (AFTC) is dedicated to preserving Alaska's farmlands for future generations through land conservation. AFTC is committed to educating residents on the importance of local agriculture and farmland preservation, and maintaining Alaska's agricultural infrastructure.
