AFC Headlines

April and May, 2013

Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive

It's time for the FY2014 Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive! We encourage any organization or individual with an interest in food security issues to join the Alaska Food Coalition. Coalition benefits include:

• Access to a network of anti-hunger agencies throughout Alaska
• Opportunity to form relationships and share best practices with government and charitable agencies involved in anti-hunger work
• Information and research about anti-hunger efforts in Alaska
• Collaboration in the future of the coalition's statewide anti-hunger work
• Platform to inform the public, legislators and opinion makers on issues of hunger
• Access to a mini-grant that will give funds for capacity building and is only available to member organizations

All coalition members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, which will be held February 2014 in Juneau. Dues paying members can apply for a scholarship to cover transportation costs. To become a member, please fill out the membership form and return it to the Alaska Food Coalition. For questions or comments, contact the Alaska Food Coalition Manager, at 907-222-3103 or afc@foodbankofalaska.org.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the April 18, 2013 teleconference have been posted.

The minutes and agenda from the May 16, 2013 teleconference have been posted.

March, 2013

Volunteers Needed for National Hunger Study

Every 4 years, the Alaska Food Coalition and Food Bank of Alaska participate in the national Hunger in America study conducted by Feeding America. This report is the best source of Alaska specific data regarding hunger and our emergency food assistance network. The study seeks to know more about the demographics and lived experience of individuals and families accessing services through our emergency food assistance network, as well as seeks to know more about the nature of our food assistance network. We are looking for volunteers to help us conduct the client surveys at locations around the state for the client surveys at food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters around the state. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age; no research experience is necessary as all training will be provided. Surveys begin in April and run through August 2013; volunteers DO NOT need to be available for the entire survey period. Travel expenses for volunteers for out of town travel will also be paid by Food Bank of Alaska. Please help us spread the word about this great volunteer opportunity! For more information, contact Cara Durr at 907-222-3103 or hungerstudy@foodbankofalaska.org.

Food Stamp Outreach Update

Paul Watson, Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator for the Alaska Food Coalition, shares some of his Food Stamp outreach highlights for the first quarter of 2013:

1) The AFC took a trip to Fairbanks on March 20-21 with Food Bank of Alaska's new Executive Director Michael Miller. I introduced him to the Fairbanks Community Food Bank Director, Samantha Castle-Kirstein, and her Board of Directors as we discussed outreach efforts in the interior. We also met with Alaska Food Coalition members and guests from local churches, civic, governmental, and Native organizations at the WIC Executive Headquarters.

2) While assisting individuals with Food Stamp and Senior Benefit applications, we also helped distribute over 3,000 applications for Heating Assistance which many folks said was as helpful as their PFD checks to the family budget during the long winter of 2012—2013. We also gave out over 500 tax assistance flyers to individuals in Anchorage, Mat-Su, and Kenai who were interested in help with their taxes.

3) Health Fairs, Project Homeless Connects, Super Saturday EITC Seminars, mentoring several UAA students at food pantries, and miscellaneous outreach phone screenings rounded out our quarter—whew!

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the March 21, 2013 teleconference have been posted.

February, 2013

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) – FREE food for children!

Would you like to offer free food to children? It may seem like a long time away, but summer is just around the corner and it's time to start planning for the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP could be a good addition to your agency or programs. SFSP is a USDA program designed to pick up where school meals leave off. This program is very flexible and can be very easy to implement; that said, many sites find it more convenient to be sponsored by another entity offering this program, such as Food Bank of Alaska or Bean's Cafe. For more information on this program, check out the latest whitepaper on Child Nutrition Programs.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the February 21, 2013 teleconference have been posted.

The notes and overview from the 2013 AFC Annual Meeting in Juneau have been posted.

January, 2013

AARP Tax-Aide Time

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide helps low- to moderate-income taxpayers have more discretionary income for everyday essentials, such as food and housing, by assisting with tax services and ensuring they receive applicable tax credits and deductions.  AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older.  Tax-Aide clinics are held late January - mid April; locations in Alaska include Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Homer, Seward, Palmer, Wasilla, Houston, Talkeetna, Valdez, Sitka and Wrangell.  Click here for a schedule of events and locations, and please pass along this information to your clients and others who could benefit.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the January 17, 2013 teleconference have been posted.

December, 2012

Whitepaper: Alaska's Housing Crisis

When asked in a nationwide study what would be most helpful in addressing the issue of hunger, 68% percent of U.S. Mayors surveyed cited a need for more affordable housing in their city. In Alaska, the need for affordable housing across the state has created challenging situations for struggling families. Often money for food is the first thing sacrificed in a tight budget, as families are forced to pay their rent or mortgage early in the month. …click here to read the full whitepaper.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the December 20, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

November, 2012

AFC Mini-Grant Recipients

Every year the Alaska Food Coalition offers a mini-grant cycle, which allows current members to apply for funding up to $1000.  These grants are used to help organizations build or maintain their capacity to distribute food to hungry individuals and families.  Congratulations to the FY13 AFC mini-grant recipients:

Organization	Amount Awarded	Project Description
Helping Hands Food Bank	$     892.83	Carts/sleds to help haul food between buildings
Valdez Senior Center	$ 1,000.00	Refrigerator
Mat-Su Senior Services	$ 1,000.00	Gardening supplies
Chugiak Eagle River Food Pantry	$ 1,000.00	Shelving and storage solutions
Women in Safe Homes	$ 1,000.00	Refrigerator and dishwasher
Willow Community Food Pantry	$     600.00	Canvas shelter and heater for food distribution
Bethel Lion's Club	$ 1,000.00	Critical repairs to food storage structure

 
Applications for AFC mini-grant cycles happen once a year; applications are usually due at the end of September.  Grants are available to current, dues-paying AFC members.  For more information on this grant, or on how to become a member, contact Cara Durr, Manager of the Alaska Food Coalition: afc@foodbankofalaska.org or 907-222-3103.

Whitepaper: Is an AmeriCorps Member Right for Your Organization?

A number of Alaska Food Coalition members and partners, including Joel’s Place, RurAL CAP, and the Alaska Food Policy Council, have participated in the AmeriCorps program.  The information presented in this whitepaper will help to determine if your organization could benefit from hosting an AmeriCorps member…click here to read the full whitepaper.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the November 15, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

October, 2012

Thanksgiving Blessing November 17th and 19th!

Thanksgiving Blessing will take place this year on November 17th in the Valley and November 19th in Anchorage and Eagle River. For information on where to go to get a Thanksgiving Blessing box for the holiday, you can download an informational flyer here for the Valley, and here for Anchorage and Eagle River. You can also call 2-1-1. If you are looking for a way to support Thanksgiving Blessing, you can download an informational flyer here for the Valley and here for Anchorage and Eagle River.

The Alaska Food Coalition is looking for volunteers to help with Food Stamp outreach at the following Anchorage and Eagle River Blessing locations:

• Crosspoint Church (Dimond & Minnesota in Burlington Coat Factory Mall)
• Faith Christian Community (4240 Wisconsin in Spenard)
• Central Lutheran Church (Cordova & 15th)
• Joy Lutheran Church, Eagle River (10111 East Eagle River Loop Road)

If interested in volunteering, please contact Cara Durr, Alaska Food Coalition Manager (222-3103 or email).

Whitepaper: The High Cost of Being Poor

"The words 'working poor' ought to be an oxymoron. The idea that you can work full time and still be poor in this society is a real crime," says Roger Weisberg, filmmaker of the PBS documentary Waging a Living. Unfortunately, this situation – in which families work hard but can't get ahead - is becoming a reality for an increasing number of Americans… Click here to read the full whitepaper.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the October 18, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

September, 2012

Communities Respond to Natural Disasters

This September many communities around the state experienced natural disasters. Earlier in the month, severe winds of up to 100 miles per hour ripped through the Anchorage bowl, cutting off power to more than half of the area's residents. More recently, heavy rain throughout Southcentral Alaska caused wide-spread flooding, forcing the evacuation of many Mat-Su and Kenai Peninsula Borough residents.

Many Alaska Food Coalition members were helping on the front lines of these disasters. The Willow Community Food Pantry helped out families in many ways that went beyond food, also distributing new clothes and gas vouchers for displaced families. Fran Lynch reported that her food pantry also handed out a lot of dry fire wood, as many people saw their winter supply float away in the flooding. The Seward Senior Center went the extra mile for their Meals on Wheels clients, checking on them daily during the flooding and ensuring that they had emergency meals on hand. In Talkeetna, the Upper Susitna Seniors served as the primary Red Cross emergency center, feeding 30-50 people affected by the flooding. USSI's Vice Chair Larry Dearman said, "Everything ran quite smoothly and it was USSI's pleasure to be there for the community in its time of need."

Thank you to the many member organizations that helped out during these times of crisis!

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the September 20, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

August, 2012

September is Hunger Action Month

Hunger Action Month is a great opportunity for organizations to raise awareness about hunger issues in the state. During the month of September, food banks and anti-hunger advocates across the nation will be hosting and participating in events aimed at fighting hunger in America. Agencies and individuals in Alaska have a lot planned for this month; check out this calendar of events to see ways you can get involved! Whether by advocating, raising awareness, making donations, or volunteering, everyone has the chance to find the way that's right for them to make a difference during Hunger Action Month.

AFC Mini-Grant

The Alaska Food Coalition is currently accepting applications for its 2013 mini-grant cycle. This grant is open to current, dues-paying AFC members for capacity building purposes. All AFC mini-grant applications must be postmarked by September 30, 2012. For an application or questions, please contact Cara Durr, Alaska Food Coalition Manager, at afc@foodbankofalaska.org or 907-222-3103.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the August 16, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

July, 2012

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the July 19, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

June, 2012

Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive

It’s time for the FY2013 Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive.  Coalition benefits include: 

• Access to a network of anti-hunger agencies throughout Alaska
• Opportunity to form relationships and share best practices with government and charitable agencies involved in anti-hunger work
• Information and research about anti-hunger efforts in Alaska
• Collaboration in the future of the coalition’s statewide anti-hunger work
• Platform to inform the public, legislators and opinion makers on issues of hunger
• Access to a mini-grant that will give funds for capacity building and is only available to member organizations

All coalition members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, which will be held February 11 - 13, 2013 in Juneau. Dues paying members can apply for a scholarship to cover transportation costs. Inclusion in all Alaska Food Coalition meetings, teleconference calls, website updates and email newsletters will give your agency a chance to expand your organization and build opportunities to make a difference.  For a membership form, questions or comments, contact the Alaska Food Coalition Manager, 907-222-3103 or afc@foodbankofalaska.org

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the June 21, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

May, 2012

Cooking Matters

Share our Strength is a national nonprofit working to end childhood hunger in America. Cooking Matters is one of their programs that empowers families with the skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare healthy and affordable meals. A recent report "It's Dinnertime: A Report on Low-Income Families Efforts to Plan, Shop and Cook Healthy Meals" found:

• Low-income families are eating dinner together at home most nights of the week, though they are not preparing healthy meals as often
• Making dinner from scratch is the most commonly reported preparation method, with dinners made with easy-to-prepare packaged foods as the next most common.
• Some families refrain from purchasing healthy items because they can't afford them
• There is potential to help ease the pain of price by educating families about the nutritional value of frozen and canned fruits and vegetables
• The vast majority of families say that cooking healthy meals is an attainable goal and many are eager to learn more in order to better reach it
• Families that regularly practice positive budgeting and planning behaviors, particularly using written grocery lists and planning meals before shopping, are the same families who eat healthy, balanced or made from scratch dinners most days of the week
• Families show a strong interest in learning how to better budget their money for meals

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the May 17, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

April, 2012

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC), through a grant from the USDA Food Nutrition Service, offers a nutritional food assistance program for federally recognized tribes called the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). Although there are no Indian reservations in Alaska, save Metlakatla, FDPIR can still be administered by federally recognized tribes in Alaska. The majority of Alaska's 229 federally recognized tribes are located in rural Alaska. Please feel free to share the FDPIR brochure which outlines the food distribution program in Alaska. While Alaskans continue working out the prickly details on subsistence harvesting restrictions in rural Alaska, ANTHC's food distribution program is here to help federally recognized tribes supplement the food resource needs for all income eligible households, both Native and non-Native, in their community. For additional information contact Gregory Nothstine, Program Manager, 907-729-2975, or http://anthctoday.org/community/fdpir.html

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the April 15, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

March, 2012

Summer Food Service Program

Would you like to offer free food to children? The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a USDA program designed to pick up where school meals leave off. This program is very flexible and can be very easy to implement. The best part is that you don't have to take individual income applications. That's right, any child or teen that shows up gets served. No paperwork for participants, food is completely free to youth. Food Bank of Alaska is happy to help you determine if this is the right program for you. And it's free! Contact Dynasti Otis, Child Nutrition Manager at dotis@foodbankofalaska.org or 222-3107 or toll free at 1-877-366-3448.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the March 15, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

February, 2012

Tax-Aide

Its tax time and AARP Tax-Aide sites offer basic tax return preparation for most low and middle income taxpayers, with an emphasis on senior citizens and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers trained by the IRS. Clinics will be held in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Fairbanks, Kenai Peninsula, Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Valdez and Kodiak. All locations are staffed by volunteers using donated space. For the most current information, please call the Alaska 2-1-1 referral line or 1-800-478-2221.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the February 16, 2012 teleconference have been posted.

January, 2012

Addressing Homelessness in Alaska

The January 19 Alaska Food Coalition teleconference featured two programs that address homelessness in Alaska. John Pendrey, Chief, Healthcare for Homeless Veterans, Alaska Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare System give a brief overview of the Alaska VA Healthcare System's effort to end chronic homelessness among Alaska Veterans by October 2014. The VA is working on identifying the issues affecting homeless veterans in Alaska communities. In 2009 President Obama declared having homeless veterans in the United States unacceptable; the Secretary of Defense made ending homelessness among veterans the number one priority. The program has 6 pillars:

1. Outreach and Education
2. Treatment Services
3. Prevention of Homelessness
4. Housing and Supportive Services
5. Employment and Income
6. Community Partnerships

Rob Marx, Housing Services Specialist, RurAL CAP gave an update on Karluk Manor in Anchorage. Karluk Manor opened on December 8. Currently, 44 of the 46 apartments are occupied by former homeless residents. A significant number of residents have decreased their drinking, which has decreased the number of problems created by drinking. Lunch and dinner is served by Bean's Café – when they first opened attendance was sparse, but now residents have meals in shifts because the meals are very popular. This is a strong indicator that residents are becoming engaged. Similar programs in the lower 48 have noted similar successes; it is an indicator residents are starting to make healthy choices. For additional information on these two programs, go to the January 19 AFC Teleconference Minutes.

Learn More

December, 2011

AFC 2012 Annual Meeting

Monday, February 6 through Wednesday, February 8, 2011

Baranof Hotel, Juneau, Alaska

Tentative Schedule

Monday, February 6

10:00 – 11:00 am – AFC Member Legislative Briefing

11:00 am – Legislative Opening Session

Noon – 1:45 pm:  Lunch, Baranof Hotel, Keynote: Rep. Cathy Munoz

2:00 – 2:45 pm – AFC Legislative Priorities Training Session:

Advocating for School Meals

Advocating for State Funding for Emergency Food

2:00 – 5:00 pm – AFC Member Legislative visits (prescheduled)

6:30 p.m.  Dinner – The Glory Hole Shelter/Soup Kitchen/Care Center>

Tuesday, February 7

7:30 – 9:00 a.m.  Breakfast, Baranof Hotel, Keynote: John Moller, Senior Rural Affairs Advisor>

9:00 am – Noon: Legislative visits (prescheduled)

Noon – 1:45 pm: Lunch – Baranof Hotel, AFC Membership Meeting:

ü  Review of FY2011 Goals and Legislative Agenda

ü  Approval of the FY2012 Goals

ü  2012 AFC  Executive Committee Elections

2:00 – 6:00 pm - Legislative Visits

7:00 pm – Dinner – on own

Wednesday, February 8

8:00 – 9:45 pm – Breakfast Panel – State and Federal Program Update, Baranof Hotel

            Erin Walker-Tolles, HHS, Program and Policy Development Chief, DPA

            Kathleen Wayne, HHS, WIC Program Director

            Jo Dawson, DEED, Child Nutrition Program Administrator

10:00 am – 11:30 Legislative Visits

11:45 am – 1:15 pm – Lunch, Legislative De-Brief, Baranof Hotel

The meeting will end at approximately 1:15 pm on Wednesday, 2/8/12. 

 

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the December 15, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

December, 2011

Rebates for Seniors on Energy Star Appliances

For a limited time, Alaskans 60 years or older as of 10/1/11 are eligible for appliance rebates.  Energy Star refrigerators, freezers, washers and dishwashers are eligible.  To participate, call the AK Rebate Center at the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, 1-877-257-3228 no later than December 15, 2011.

• Complete and return the application to AHFC
• AHFC will send out a voucher that is good for 30 days
• Purchase qualifying appliance(s) within 30 days
• Return the voucher and receipt(s) no later than January 15, 2012
• Eligible rebates will be paid within 60 days

Funds are limited, so it’s first come, first served.

Learn More

AFC Mini-Grants

The Alaska Food Coalition is awarding 8 grants to organizations working throughout the state to end hunger in Alaska. These grants help food and nutrition programs build their capacity to distribute food by granting funds for equipment purchases such as small freezers and refrigerators, for repairing basic kitchen equipment like stoves and other appliances or for staff training on subjects like safe food handling. These annual awards are made in amounts up to $1,000.  

FY2012 Mini-Grant recipients

• Children’s Meal Mission,  Anchorage
  $1,000 – Warming Tables, Kitchen Supplies
• Food Bank of Valdez, Valdez      
  $1,000 – Refrigerator
• Sterling Area Seniors, Sterling
  $951.20 – Salad Bar
• Wrangell SDA Church, Wrangell
  $1,000 – Update Building Wiring
• Downtown Soup Kitchen, Anchorage
  $1,000 – Electric Food Processor
• Kenai Peninsula Food Bank, Soldotna
  $1,000 – Garden Tools
• Wasilla Area Seniors, Wasilla
  $1,000 – Refrigeration Service
• Zach Gordon Youth Center, Juneau
  $1,000 – 3-Sink System

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the November 17, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

November, 2011

Food Stamp Trends

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service recently released a new study, “Dynamics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Participation in the Mid-2000s”.  The report describes individuals’ patterns of participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/Food Stamps) from 2004 to 2006.  The report noted:

• SNAP participants tend to enter and leave the program frequently
• Families with children are twice as likely to enter SNAP as families without children
• Elderly participants, on average, stay on SNAP longer than other age groups
• A change in family income is the most common reason for entering or exiting SNAP

Read a report summary

Read the full report

Another USDA report from the Office of Research and Analysis, “Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Households: Fiscal Year 2010” found:

• 47% were under age 18
• Nearly 30% of SNAP/food stamp households had earnings in 2010 
• Only 8% of all SNAP/food stamp households received cash welfare benefits, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
• Over 21% of SNAP/food stamp households receive Social Security
• Over 21% of SNAP/food stamp households receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• The average gross income for all SNAP/food stamp households was $731 per month

Read a report summary

Read the full report

For information on participating in the food stamp program in Alaska, contact:

Paul Watson, Alaska Food Coalition Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator
907-222-3119
foodstamps@foodbankofalaska.org

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the October 20, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

October, 2011

Food, Clothing and Lodging

AFC was an exhibitor at the HUGGS and Coats for Kids Anchorage event that took place this August.  Catholic Social Services, Lutheran Social Services, Anchorage School District and The Salvation Army are major sponsors. This year, over 5400 students received coats and school supplies, with 1500 families participating.  The Alaska Food Coalition table was right next to AFC member NeighborWorks. We distribute information about the food stamp and senior benefit programs and NeighborWorks provides information on clean, affordable apartment housing in Anchorage.  This year, we put out a call to another AFC member, Anchorage WIC (Women Infants and Children Program) for literature to give to the kids who come with their parents for the supplies. WIC came up with over 600 nutrition focused coloring and recipe books for us to distribute.  The kids loved the coloring books, and the parents loved the recipe books - a winning combination for everyone.   Thanks to all who participated to help make this event a huge success.   

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the September 15, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

September, 2011

Funding Senior Nutrition Programs

For seniors, poverty is the leading cause of hunger, living alone is another risk factor.  Older Americans faced with hunger are more likely to report poor health; live at or below the poverty level; and be divorced, separated or living with a grandchild.  Feeding America, the nation’s leading anti-hunger relief organization, estimates the number of seniors facing hunger will increase nationally from 5 million to 9.5 million by 2025.  The Alaska Food Coalition created “The Case for Increased Funding for Senior Nutrition Services in Alaska” to help explain how senior nutrition programs are funded in Alaska, and where the needs are. Read the paper » 

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the August 18, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

August, 2011

Alaska Recognized For Best Food Stamp Payment Accuracy Rate

Congratulations to our partners at the Department of Public Assistance who do an outstanding job managing the food stamp program in Alaska. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in June that state partners have improved payment accuracy and program integrity in the nation's largest nutrition assistance program, SNAP. In Alaska, SNAP is called Food Stamps.  Secretary Vilsack commended selected states for their excellence in administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in FY 2010. The national average level of program payment accuracy for FY 2010 is 96.19 percent, the fourth consecutive year the program has achieved a historically high rate.  Alaska was one of nine states recognized for the Best Payment Accuracy Rate.  View the Press Release.

• Florida 0.78%
• South Dakota 1.31%
• Delaware 1.52%
• Illinois 1.70%
• Mississippi 1.92%
• Wisconsin 1.97%
• Georgia 1.99%
• Texas 2.13%
• Alaska 2.15%

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the July 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

July, 2011

Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive

It’s time for the FY2012 Alaska Food Coalition Membership Drive.  Coalition benefits include: 

• Access to a network of anti-hunger agencies throughout Alaska
• Opportunity to form relationships and share best practices with government and charitable agencies involved in anti-hunger work
• Information and research about anti-hunger efforts in Alaska
• Collaboration in the future of the coalition’s statewide anti-hunger work
• Platform to inform the public, legislators and opinion makers on issues of hunger
• Access to a mini-grant that will give funds for capacity building and is only available to member organizations

All coalition members are invited to attend the Annual Meeting, which will be held February 6-8, 2012 in Juneau. Dues paying members can apply for a scholarship to cover travel costs. Inclusion in all Alaska Food Coalition meetings, teleconference calls, website updates and email newsletters will give your agency a chance to expand your organization and build opportunities to make a difference.

For a membership form, questions or comments, please contact Vanessa Salinas, Alaska Food Coalition Manager, by phone, 907-222-3103 or by email.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the June 16, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

June, 2011

Summer 2011 Food Stamp Outreach

Look for Food Stamp Outreach to expand this summer.  We will be at the Spenard Farmers Market in Anchorage starting May 21.  The Spenard Farmer’s Market and the Homer Farmer’s Market are scheduled to accept EBT cards/food stamps this summer.  This is a pilot project sponsored by the State of Alaska Obesity Prevention and Control Program, Division of Public Assistance, Division of Agriculture, and Cooperative Extension Services/FSNEP.

AFC staff will be meeting with agencies and Department of Public Assistance staff in Fairbanks this June to identify opportunities for Food Stamp Outreach in the Interior. 

Member News

Family Promise Mat-Su Cardboard City fundraiser will take place July 15 at the Alaska State Fair Grounds, Purple Gate. This is the third year for the annual fundraiser to raise awareness about homelessness in Mat-Su Valley.  Event participants collect pledges to increase the number of cardboard boxes used to make your temporary home for the night. Get additional information about Family Promise Mat-Su or check out their YouTube video.

Volunteers Needed

The Alaska Food Coalition is looking for volunteers to assist outreach efforts to help connect low-income Alaskans with benefits through the Food Stamp program and Alaska Senior Benefit program.  Activities include: 

• Participation in food stamp outreach volunteer training
• Working as greeters or provide information, pre-screening, and application assistance to individuals at agency and food stamp outreach events
• Conducting follow-up telephone surveys of individuals contacted through outreach events
• Administrative support through data entry

Volunteers are especially helpful for Thanksgiving Blessing.  If you or anyone you know is interested in learning more about food stamp outreach, contact us.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the April 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

May, 2011

Member News

The Tanana District office of Cooperative Extension Services moved to a new home in February, 724 27th Ave. in Fairbanks, upstairs at the Fairbanks Community Food Bank building with its own entrance.  The new space will have a large classroom with videoconferencing capabilities. More information on Cooperative Extension Services.

“Fairbanks Community Food Bank welcomes CES as partners in our food bank.  We have worked together for many years, in various projects which serve low income families, and we believe that partnership is strengthened by co-locating.  We can expect even more classes in crock-pot cooking, how to make baby food at home, childhood obesity projects, Strong Women classes, and, of course the Master Gardeners and Master Preservers classes.  4-H will also continue to use the food bank facility for some of their projects.  It just makes sense to align those who need the services with those who provide continuing education to improve family sustainability during these challenging economic times.” Samantha Castle Kirstein, Executive Director, Fairbanks Community Food Bank

Summer Food Service

Summer Food Service Program provides free food to any child under the age of 19, pregnant women, and adults with special needs.  No qualifying information needs to be gathered from participants and administrative duties are very light.  Food, shipping, training and advertising are provided at no cost to the site.  To contact, please email Kylie Clark, Child Nutrition Coordinator for Food Bank of Alaska, call 907-222-3107 or fax 907-277-7368.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the April 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

April, 2011

From The USDA Briefing Room

The United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service plays a leading role in Federal research on food security—access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life—in U.S. households and communities. They estimate in 2011, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all food is projected to increase 3 to 4 percent.  Higher food commodity and energy prices have recently exerted pressure on wholesale and retail food prices.  These cost pressures, along with strengthening global food demand, have pushed inflation projections upwards for 2011. Read more about Food CPI and Expenditures.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the March 17, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

March, 2011

Alaska Food Coalition 2011 Annual Meeting

Representatives from 14 Coalition member organizations from Nome to Juneau met in Juneau February 6, 7 and 8.  AFC officers Heather Harris, President, Gloria Benson, Vice President, AnnaBell Stevens, Secretary, and Susannah Morgan, Treasurer, were re-elected for a second term.  Members met with state legislators and administrators to express support for funding for school meals, extending funding for the senior benefits program and expanding Denali Kid Care.  50 guests and a dozen legislators attended the 4th annual AFC legislative breakfast “From Seven to Seventy:  Ending Hunger Among Alaska’s Most Vulnerable Populations” sponsored by Senator Bill Wielechowski and Representative Mike Hawker.  AFC members met with AGENET and National Association of Social Workers Alaska Chapter members to share information and legislative strategies.

AFC members agreed one of the highlights of the meeting was a tour of The Glory Hole Shelter, Soup Kitchen and Care Center.  Ray Cole, Special Projects Manager, and Mariya Hovishchyk, Executive Director, gave coalition members a tour of the new walk-in freezer (Glory Hole was a FY10 Alaska Food Coalition Mini-Grant recipient) and their roof-top and terraced garden project.  This summer, clients and volunteers stacked 11.6 tons of cinder block in one day for the garden retaining wall. View pictures and find out more information on the garden project.

AFC Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Erin Walker Tolles, Chief of Policy for the Department of Public  Assistance (DPA),gave a terrific overview of the programs DPA oversees, including Food Stamps, Senior Benefits, Medicaid, Child Care, Heating Assistance, Temporary Assistance, WIC and Adult Public Assistance.  Over 100,000 Alaskans receive assistance through DPA each month.  DPA recently received awards for cutting Food Stamp client backlogs and wait times.  Department caseloads are up 16%, a 60% increase in 5 years. 

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the February 21, 2011 teleconference have been posted.

February, 2011

Food Stamp Outreach Receives Recognition

On December 29, the Alaska Food Coalition received a letter of recognition from Acting Commissioner William J. Streur, Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services for our efforts to improve the welfare of Alaskans.  We were nominated by Venietia Santana from the Public Assistance office for meeting or exceeding the Department’s expectations in demonstrating successful outcomes to Alaskans.  This is a result of the efforts of coalition members who work tirelessly to get more food to more Alaskans every day.  Kudos’s to all of us! 

A sincere thank you goes out to the Food Stamp Outreach volunteers who attended Anchorage Neighborhood GIFT on December 21.  From Eagle River to South Anchorage, over 5200 families visited six sites.  Youth volunteers from the POWER program staffed Food Stamp Outreach tables at Fairview Elementary School and Congregation Beth Shalom.  Department of Public Assistance staff noted an increase in food stamp applications at the Gambell and Muldoon offices following Neighborhood GIFT.  During the last quarter of 2010, we helped over 150 clients complete food stamp applications.   

If you would like to learn more about volunteering for Food Stamp Outreach, Contact Us.

Meeting Materials

The minutes and agenda from the January 20, 2011 teleconference have been posted.