AFPC’s Federal Legislative Priorities
Strengthen and expand nutrition programs
Federal legislation should support vital nutrition programs, agriculture support programs, rural development efforts, and sound policies that enable food banks and the agriculture and food industry to strengthen partnerships to connect excess food with people in need. This approach will maximize the impact of public and private efforts to address food insecurity and ensure that food is delivered in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
Connect excess nutritious food with those in need
America’s growers and producers are extremely generous, donating millions of pounds of food to those in need. Yet it often can cost farmers more to harvest and donate food than to leave it in the field. Congress can help ensure that produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and other nutritious foods grown in the U.S. are connected with communities in need by providing the resources for food banks and others to cover the cost of harvesting and transporting donated excess food.
Build stronger local and regional food systems
As a relatively new state, Alaska needs investments in food-related infrastructure, such as storage, transportation, distribution, and processing capacity. Alaska farmers also need technical support for business planning and marketing to help connect them to local consumers. Programs that improve local and regional market development will not only benefit Alaskan producers but will help increase food security, reduce reliance on imports, and create more economic opportunities across the state.
Support beginning farmers, ranchers and producers
Alaska leads the nation in agricultural growth and there’s no sign of it slowing down. The average age of a producer in Alaska is 2.5 years younger compared to the national average age. Alaska leads the nation in new and beginning producers. Almost half – 46 percent – of the state’s farmers have 10 years or less experience on any farms. Beginning farmers in Alaska need affordable and desirable farmland, start-up capital and financing, and access to hands-on training and risk management tools. Programs that improve opportunities for beginning farmers and ranchers are critical for Alaska producers.
Reduce barriers to funding to improve program access
Many federal programs are difficult to navigate or require matching funds that are not feasible for Alaska producers and organizations. We encourage simplified application processes, reduced match requirements, and technical assistance to increase participation and access to federal opportunities.
Support Tribal Sovereignty, self-determination, self-governance, and parity
AFPC is a firm ally of the Intertribal Agriculture Council and the Native Farm Bill Coalition. Throughout federal policy we support provisions that expand and strengthen Tribal sovereignty, self-determination, self-governance, and parity.
Reduce food waste and implement national food date labeling standards
See more from the Zero Food Waste Coalition (coming soon)
Together with Alaskan communities, agricultural producers, and nutrition agencies, and Tribal organizations we see ongoing potential to build food systems in partnership with federal agencies and Congress that create jobs, support healthy communities, and enhance food security.
AFPC follows federal legislation that intersects with our food systems, including:
Farm Bill
Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act
In addition to the Farm Bill, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act is the other main piece of federal legislation that governs our food system. It covers school meals and the WIC Program. AFPC supports the following positions with regards to Child Nutrition:
- Universal School Meals
- Expand opportunities for schools to purchase locally produced and culturally relevant foods
- Increased funding for the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program
- Increased funding for farm to school programs
FAA Reauthorization
Jones Act
How does the Farm Bill impact Alaskans?
Photo credit Alaska Farmers Market Association
Provisions in the Farm Bill shapes nearly every part of Alaska’s food systems. The Bill, typically nearing 1,000 pages in length, covers a wide range of areas, from SNAP food assistance to agricultural production, conservation, rural development and more.
The Farm Bill supports both the agriculture community and federal nutrition programs, including SNAP. Historically, Congress evaluates and passes this massive piece of federal legislation approximately every five years. The last Farm Bill was authorized in 2018 and expired in 2023. Congress has passed temporary extensions, and provisions in 2025’s H.R. 1/’One Big Beautiful Bill’ partially covered policies and funding across a number of Farm Bill titles. You can read more about the impacts of H.R.1 on the Farm Bill here.
The Farm Bill consists of 12 sections called “Titles,” each covering a major area of policy and funding. Below you can explore more about these Titles, a few ways they impact Alaskans, and where we see opportunities for improvement in the next Farm Bill.
Title I: Commodities
The Commodities Title includes farm safety net programs, disaster assistance, and the Reimbursement Transportation Program. These programs provide financial protections for agricultural producers through price supports, disaster assistance, and risk management tools.
For Alaska, the Reimbursement Transportation Cost Program (RTCP) remains a top priority. This program helps offset the high cost of transporting agricultural goods to and from remote areas
Title 1 Priorities:
- Increase funding for RTCP to meet demand
- Explore permanent funding through the Commodity Credit Corporation
Title II: Conservation
The Conservation Title includes the Agriculture Conservation Easement Program (ACEP)and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). These programs support farmers in protecting soil, water, and wildlife while maintaining productive agricultural land.
In Alaska, these programs are essential for both food production and environmental stewardship, supporting projects like high tunnels, erosion control, and habitat restoration.
Title II Priorities:
- Maintain or increase funding for key programs like EQIP and ACEP.
- Ensure conservation programs are flexible for Alaska’s climate and geography
- Improve access for small and remote producers
Title III: Trade
The Trade Title includes the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) and the Market Access Program (MAP). Trade programs help U.S. producers expand into global markets through marketing and promotion.
These programs are particularly important for Alaska’s seafood and emerging specialty products (like peonies), helping producers reach international buyers.
Title III Priorities:
- Reauthorize and strengthen MAP and FMD
- Ensure small and remote producers can access export support
- Maintain funding for organizations like the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Title IV: Nutrition
The Nutrition Title includes the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Federal Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program (MGFSP).
Nutrition programs are the largest part of the Farm Bill and are critical to addressing food insecurity in Alaska, where food costs are high and access is low especially in rural communities.
Title IV Priorities:
- Protect and strengthen SNAP, including benefit adequacy
- Remove barriers to participation (asset limits, time limits, administrative hurdles)
- Increase funding for TEFAP, especially for transportation and distribution
- Allow greater flexibility for local and culturally appropriate food purchasing
- Support programs that connect local producers with nutrition programs
Title V: Credit
The Credit Title includes the Farm Service Agency (FSA) loan programs and microloans. Credit programs provide essential financing for farmers, especially in places like Alaska where private lending is limited.
Title V Priorities:
- Expand access to microloans and beginning farmer financing
- Increase staffing and streamline application processes
- Adapt loan programs to better serve small-scale and remote producers
Title VI: Rural Development
The Rural Development Title includes the Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program and rural infrastructure funding. Rural Development programs support economic growth, infrastructure, and business development in rural communities.
In Alaska, where most communities are rural or remote, these programs are critical to building a functional food system.
Title VI Priorities:
- Improve access to rural development funding across the entire state
- Reevaluate rural eligibility definitions to better reflect Alaska’s reality
- Increase investment in food system infrastructure (processing, storage, transportation)
Title VII: Research, Extension and Related Matters
Title VIII: Forestry
This Title includes forest management, wildfire prevention, and related programs. Forestry programs support forest health, wildfire mitigation, and economic uses of forest resources.
In Alaska, these programs intersect with Tribal lands, conservation, and climate resilience.
Title VIII Priorities:
- Support Tribal and community-led forest management
- Increase investment in wildfire prevention and resilience
- Align forestry programs with food system and subsistence needs
Title IX: Energy
The Energy Title includes rural energy programs and renewable energy systems. Energy programs support renewable energy development and energy efficiency in rural areas.
For Alaska, high energy costs directly impact food production, storage, and transportation.
Title IX Priorities:
- Expand access to renewable energy funding for farms and food businesses
- Support energy solutions for greenhouses, storage, and processing
- Reduce energy cost barriers across the food system
Title X: Horticulture
The Horticulture Title includes the Specialty Crop Block Grant (SCBG) Program, Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG), the National Organic Program (NOP), the Farmers Market Promotion Program (FMPP), the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP), and the Regional Food System Partnership (RFSP) Program.
Horticulture programs are especially important for Alaska’s growing specialty crop sector, including fruits, vegetables, and greenhouse production.
Title X Priorities:
- Increase minimum funding levels for small states
- Reform funding formulas to reflect growth potential, not just current production
- Reduce match requirements and administrative barriers
- Simplify and better coordinate grant programs
- Expand support for local and regional food systems
Title XI: Crop Insurance
This Title includes federal crop insurance programs that help farmers manage risk from weather, market fluctuations, and other uncertainties.
Many Alaska producers are underserved by current programs.
Title XI Priorities:
- Expand crop insurance options for specialty and small-scale producers
- Develop products that reflect Alaska’s unique growing conditions
- Improve accessibility and participation
Title XII: Miscellaneous
The Miscellaneous Title includes beginning farmer programs, Tribal provisions, and emerging priorities. This Title includes a wide range of programs that don’t fit neatly into other categories but are critical to our agricultural systems.
Title XII Priorities:
- Strengthen support for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers
- Expand Tribal food sovereignty and self-governance provisions
- Increase funding for innovative and place-based food system programs
- Continue and expand programs like the Micro-Grants for Food Security Program
Meet Our National Partners
National Sustainable Agriculture Center (NSAC) advocates for federal policy reform for the sustainability of food systems, natural resources, and rural communities.
Native Farm Bill Coalition works to advance the policy priorities of Native American producers in the upcoming Farm Bill through a strong, united voice.
Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national organization fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel.
Intertribal Agriculture Coalition (IAC) pursues and promotes the conservation, development, and sustainable use of agricultural resources for the betterment of Tribal Nations and their citizens.
Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) improves the nutrition, health, and well-being of people struggling against poverty-related hunger in the United States through advocacy, partnerships, and by advancing bold and equitable policy solutions.
Zero Food Waste Coalition (ZFWC) is a national effort to inform and influence U.S. food waste policy at the federal, state, and local levels in order to accelerate progress and build momentum by bringing together stakeholders from across the food system.
National Farm to School Network is an information, advocacy and networking hub for communities working to bring local food sourcing and food and agriculture education into school systems and early care and education environments.
Share Your Thoughts
Remember that you don’t have to be an expert to share your experiences, opinions, and feedback with Alaska’s Congressional Delegation or federal agencies!
Alaska’s Congressional Delegation
USDA Food and Nutrition Administration (formerly FNS) Documents & Resources (including those open for comment)
USDA Farm Production & Conservation Business Center – Federal Register Publications