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AFC Headlines
July 1, 2010
Renew Your Membership
Do you think that ending hunger in Alaska should be a priority? Do you work to help get food to hungry people? If so, you should be a part of the AFC Cover Letter. Join the coalition today and you’ll be part of a statewide coalition working toward getting more food to those who need it, eliminating barriers to accessing food and strengthening Alaska's anti-hunger network. Along with connections to organizations all across the state, as a member you'll be eligible for mini-grants, organizational development and will get the opportunity to participate in our advocacy and annual meeting in Juneau in February. Fill out a new member form.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the June 17, 2010 teleconference have been posted.
June 4, 2010
Commodity Supplemental Food Program
Alaska Food Coalition is currently working to increase participation in the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) among seniors. CSFP provides a monthly box of food to eligible seniors, women, and children and is available in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Mat-Su, the Copper River area, the Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak. If you have any questions about CSFP in Fairbanks, contact Darry Otness or in other areas, contact Robin Stilwell.
Meeting Materials
The minutes and agenda from the May 20, 2010 meeting have been posted.
May 2010
Food Insecurity in Alaska’s Senior Population
According to the US Census Bureau, Alaska counted 30,395 residents ages 60 – 64 in 2008, a 62.9% increase from 2001. 50,777 are over 65, a 49.8% increase since 1998.
46.1% of adult clients at food pantries are Ages 30 - 49, at kitchens 28.5%
25.4% of adult clients at food pantries are Ages 50 - 64, at kitchens, 51.3%
11.5% of adult clients at food pantries are 65 and over
09% of adult clients at kitchens are 65 and over
Households with at least one member over 65:
- Low food security: 42.7%
- Very low food security: 15.0%
Among households with at least 1 senior member age 65 or older, 21.8% use home delivered meals or Meals-on-Wheels and 5.4% participate in brown bag programs.
2010 Hunger Study
What You Can Do
In 2011 Congress will consider reauthorization and amendments to the Older Americans Act (OAA) effective in FY 2012. In anticipation of this process, the Administration on Aging (AoA) is soliciting input concerning the reauthorization through three mechanisms: (1) AoA-Convened Listening Forums; (2) OAA Reauthorization Input Events; and (3) Direct Input via the AoA Website or Mail. There are no listening forums or input events scheduled in Alaska to date. You can access their website for direct input at:http://www.aoa.gov/AoAroot/AoA_Programs/OAA/Reauthorization/Index.aspx
The State of Alaska Commission on Aging is developing the Alaska 2012 – 2015 State Plan for Services http://www.hss.state.ak.us/acoa/ Make your voices heard.
May 6, 2010
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held April 15, 2010.
April 6, 2010
Alaska Food Coalition Workgroups
Two working groups within AFC have been created to address the concerns of specific populations, seniors and rural. The Senior Workgroup had its first teleconference on March 8 and the Rural Workgroup on March 10. These workgroups will work to identify ways to increase access to food in rural and senior communities. The next teleconferences will be April 12 for the Senior Workgroup and April 14 for the Rural Workgroup. If you would like to participate in either of these workgroups, contact the AFC Manager, afc@alaskafoodcoalition.org
April 6, 2010
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held March 19, 2010.
March 2, 2010
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held February 18, 2010.
February 18, 2010
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held January 21, 2010.
February 9, 2010
Hunger in America 2010 – The Alaska Story
Do you know who is hungry in Alaska?
3rd Annual Alaska Food Coalition
BREAKFAST WITH THE POLICY MAKERS
- Would you like to know what percentage of members of households served by Food Bank of Alaska are under 18?
- What is the average household income for pantry clients?
- How many have to choose between paying for food and paying for rent or mortgage, medicine or medical care?
- How many people are served annually?
- How many client households with children ages 0-3 years old participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)?
Sponsored by Sen. Johnny Ellis and Rep. Paul Seaton
Tuesday, February 9
7:30 a.m.
Fahrenkamp Room (203), State Capitol, Juneau
Moderator: Senator Johnny Ellis, Majority Leader
Susannah Morgan, Executive Director, Food Bank of Alaska: Hunger in America 2010 Study - Alaska
Andrea Thistle, President, Alaska Food Coalition: Summer Food Service Programs in Mat-Su
AlexAnna Salmon, Igiuigig Tribal Village Council: Western Alaska Challenges
Did you know?
In Alaska, 40% of students qualify for free/reduced schools meals, over 45,000 students. Of these, 15% attend schools that do not offer a breakfast program – that’s over 7,000 missed meals each day.
February 7-9, 2010
2010 Alaska Food Coalition Annual Meeting
Baranof Hotel, Juneau, AK
Election Results for the 2010 Executive Committee:
President: Heather Harris, Alaska Parent and Youth Foundation/POWER
Vice President: Gloria Benson, Yakutat Healthy Community Coalition
Secretary: AnnaBell Stevens, United Way of Anchorage
Treasurer: Susannah Morgan, Food Bank of Alaska
february 2, 2010
New details emerge about Alaska’s hungry
ANCHORAGE, AK -
The Hunger in America 2010, released today presents a picture of who is hungry in Alaska. Commissioned by Feeding America, the study was conducted by the Alaska Food Coalition (AFC) and Food Bank of Alaska (FBA). The two organizations worked together to survey clients and agencies providing food assistance across the state. Included in the report is the fact that more than 74,000 people, including 31,080 children, receive emergency food each year through Food Bank of Alaska. To access the complete report, go to: http://www.alaskafood.org/research.shtml
- This report provides a glimpse of who is hungry in Alaska
- The report breaks down misconceptions of who seek food assistance in Alaska
Methodology:
- AFC and FBA conducted face-to-face interviews with 300 people seeking emergency food at food pantries, soup kitchens and other emergency feeding programs
- 180 FBA agencies were also interviewed that provided food assistance during 2009.
- Clients were interviewed in Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla, Big Lake, Willow, Talkeetna, Fairbanks, Nome, Juneau, Kodiak, Soldotna, Seward, and Homer
- Hunger in America 2010 is a scientific study conducted more than 62,000 face-to-face interviews with people seeking emergency food assistance from one of the nearly 63,000 agencies served by a Feeding America food bank
Key findings:
- FBA and partner agencies provide emergency food for an estimated 74,000 different people annually – or approximately 1 in 10 Alaskans
- 42% of the members of households served by food pantries are children under 18 years old
- Nearly 62% of anti-hunger agencies indicate that they served more clients in 2009 than they did in 2006
Clients served:
- 38% percent of clients at pantries have completed high school, and 27% have some college or a two-year degree
- 29% of pantry client households with a place to live own they place where they live
- 18% of clients are homeless
Tough choices:
- Nearly half of the client households surveyed said they had to choose between paying for food and paying rent or mortgage
- 43% of clients who seek food assistance at food pantries report having to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities or heating fuel
Employment & income:
- 46% of pantry client households have one or more adults who are currently employed.
- The average annual household income for all clients was $15,090
January 4, 2010
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held December 17, 2009.
The Alaska Food Coalition mini-grants have been awarded!
december 1, 2009
The Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act authorizes all of the federal school meal and child nutrition programs, which provide funding to ensure that low-income children have access to healthy and nutritious foods.
The reauthorization amends two existing statutes; the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act of 1966 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966. The current act expires this year. The School Breakfast Program (SBP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and Special Milk Programs are authorized permanently and will continue without any Congressional action. All the other child nutrition programs could expire without congressional action.
Reauthorization had its first hearing in the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry November 17, 2009. In her opening statement, Senate Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln (AR) said “We must take steps to ensure that all children eligible for federal child nutrition programs are actually receiving them.” U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (GA), ranking minority member of the Agriculture Committee noted that federal nutrition programs are not only important tools to combat hunger, but also effective in the promotion of healthy lifestyles and curbing obesity.
There are a number of bills before the Senate and House that address different components of Child Nutrition Reauthorization. Senator Lisa Murkowski(AK) and Senator Mark Begich (AK) have co-sponsored Senate Bill 1737 (sponsored by Senator Al Franken (MN)), a bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the number of children eligible for school meals, with a phased-in transition period. This legislation is currently awaiting a hearing in Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. The companion legislation in the House of Representatives (H.R. 3321) is sponsored by Representative Keith Ellison (MN).
According to data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 15% of Alaskan children experienced food insecurity, compared with 11% of Alaskan adults, meaning they don’t have access at all times to enough food for a healthy active life; this problem is more severe in rural Alaska, where nearly one child in four experienced food insecurity. 15% of children in rural Alaska who qualify for free or reduced meals cannot access meals because the schools are not participating. Reauthorization and expansion of these programs will feed more children in Alaska.
Show your support for federal school meal programs. Let our legislators know you support feeding hungry children through the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program.
Senator Lisa Murkowski: murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactM...
202-224-6665, Anchorage: 907-271-3735, Toll Free: 1-877-829-6030
Senator Mark Begich:
begich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=EmailSenator
202-224-3004, Anchorage: 907-271-5915, Toll Free: 1-877-501-6275
Representative Don Young:
http://donyoung.house.gov/Contact/
202-225-5765, Anchorage (907) 271-5978, Toll Free: 1-866-990-5979
Senator Blanche Lincoln:
lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
202 224-4843
Senator Saxby Chambliss:
chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email
202-224-3521
Senator Al Franken:
franken.senate.gov/contact/
202-224-5641
Representative Keith Ellison:
https://forms.house.gov/ellison/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm
202-225-4755
Hunger Action Month Youth Contest
The Alaska Food Coalition is pleased to announce the following winners of the “What Does Healthy Eating Mean to Me” contest. 1st place winners will receive a $25.00 Amazon.com Gift Certificate. Congratulations to all of the contestants who participated. Each will receive a certificate; winners submissions will be posted on this website.
Art: 1st place, Cucuaq Katcheak, Nome, age 5
Runner up, Alicia Silcott, Anchorage, age 11
Written: 1st place, Michael Whiting, Anchorage, age 17
Runner up, Joseph Perdue, Anchorage, age 14
View the artwork from the winners of the Hunger Action Network contest.
Annual Alaska Food Coalition Conference
Conference Information
February 7, 8 and 9, 2010
Baranof Hotel, Juneau AK
Hotel Reservations:
Our group code is ALFO020710 (Under Alaska Food Coalition)
Call 1-800-544-0970 BY 1/7/10
November 30, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held November 19, 2009.
October 26, 2009
New WIC Foods Coming to Alaska WIC in October, 2009!
From Family Nutrition Services, Division of Public Health, State of Alaska
HEALTHY CHOICES
WIC supports your family with healthy new food choices. WIC foods are changing:
- More variety in the foods
- More choices so you can buy the foods your family likes
- Foods that meet current nutrition guidelines
MORE VARIETY
More variety with fresh, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables for you and your family. More variety with healthy whole grain choices like whole wheat bread, buns, and rolls. Also soft corn tortillas, and brown rice for better nutrition and more fiber.
More variety with new non-dairy choices for women. You can choose soy beverage and some tofu in place of milk. More variety with canned sardines. If you are a breast feeding mom, you can choose canned salmon, tuna, or sardines for added protein.
Breast feeding moms and babies will get more food. New lower fat choices. If you are a woman or a child age 2, you will get:
- Lower fat milk (2%, 1% or fat free)
- One pound of cheese
More choices to better meet nutrition guidelines for women and children.
Additional information is available at: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dpa/programs/nutri/downloads/WIC/WIC_changes_BROCHURE.pdf.
October 26, 2009
The Alaska Food Coalition mini-grant application deadline has been extended. All mini-grant applications will be due October 31, 2009. Download the application and guidelines in either Word or PDF format
Guidelines: Word | PDF
Application: Word | PDF
October 22, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held October 15, 2009.
October 5, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held September 17, 2009.
September 1, 2009
The Alaska Food Coalition is currently accepting applications for mini-grants. These grants of up to $1,000 can be spent for capacity building projects only. Applicants will be accepted from AFC MEMBERS ONLY. If you are not a member, but would like to apply for a mini-grant, please contact the AFC Manager for more information. All mini-grant applications will be due September 30, 2009. Download the application and guidelines in either Word or PDF format.
Guidelines: Word | PDF
Application: Word | PDF
August 27, 2009
Join the Alaska Food Coalition
The Alaska Food Coalition is seeking a Program Manager. The Program Manager develops and promotes The Alaska Food Coalition to a diverse body of stakeholders, including anti-hunger nonprofits, state administrators, public officials and community supporters. The Program Manager has primary responsibility in the areas of developing and implementing coalition strategy, policies, and annual plan, and organizing the Annual Member Meeting. The Program Manager is responsible for research in many areas of the hunger issue in the state, for coordinating meetings of the membership, and for managing the Coalition's mini-grant process. In addition, the Program Manager oversees all administrative processes of the Alaska Food Coalition, including the member list, annual dues, website updates and grant reporting to the State of Alaska.
The ideal candidate will have a college degree or a minimum two years of work experience in program management, social services, marketing or public relations. Multicultural awareness and experience is vital. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal, organizational, computer and detail skills.
This is a full-time position which reports to the Director of Advocacy & Agency Relations. The salary range is $30K to $33K per year. Send resume and cover letter to: Food Bank of Alaska, 2121 Spar Avenue, Anchorage, 99501, fax 277-7368, email info@foodbankofalaska.org. Food Bank of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.
Food Stamp Challenge
Alaska Food Coalition is supporting the 2009 Food Stamp Challenge! We dare you to engage in an innovative educational experience. Put your budgeting skills to the test and experience how thousands of fellow Alaskans struggle to feed themselves and their families every month and overcome food insecurity by accessing the federal programs and food pantries.
The Challenge:
From Saturday, September 12 to Friday, September 18, 2009 you are challenged to fashion 21 meals on a food stamp budget. You must produce a minimum of one blog entry on your experience and post a picture of one of your meals.
- September 11th - FS Challenge Kick-off and Orientation
- September 12th - 18th - THE FOOD STAMP CHALLENGE
- September 18th - Wrap-up Event
Think you've got what it takes? Need more information?
Contact Kokayi Nosakhere (Food Stamp Outreach Coordinator) at 222-3119 or knosakhere@foodbankofalaska.org.
August 27, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held August 20, 2009.
July 27, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held July 16, 2009.
June 30, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held June 18, 2009.
June 30, 2009
Join the Alaska Food Coalition
Do you think that ending hunger in Alaska should be a priority? Do you work to help get food to hungry people? If so, you should be a part of the AFC! Joing the coalition today and you'll be one of many anti-hunger organizations in Alaska that are working toward getting more food to those who need it, eliminating barriers to accessing food and strengthening Alaska's anti-hunger network. Along with connections to organizations all across the state, as a member you'll be eligible for mini-grants, organizational development and will get the opportunity to participate in our advocacy and annual meeting in Juneau in February. Fill out a new member form.
June 1, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC policy committee meeting, held May 29, 2009.
April 22, 2009
View the minutes of the most recent AFC teleconference, held April 16, 2009.
February 15, 2009
Alaska Food Coalition Annual Meeting: February 9-10, 2009
This year's AFC Annual Meeting was a huge success. Members from more than 12 agencies convened in Juneau last month to educate legislators about hunger in Alaska and specifically ask for assistance in supporting the school meal program for Alaska schools. For the second year, the AFC has requested the state provide a reimbursement in addition to the current federal reimbursement already in place. Kids that get a quality meal for breakfast and lunch at school have better grades and fewer discipline issues.
In addition to talking to legislators, the AFC held a breakfast for policymakers on February 10. The breakfast was sponsored by Sen. Johnny Ellis and Rep. Paul Seaton. At the breakfast, the initiative for school meals was discussed and the AFC presented Hungriest Communities, the most current research on hunger issues in Alaska.
January 29, 2009
The Hunger Study is here! Hunger in America 2009 is the fifth national hunger study conducted by Feeding America (formerly known as America 's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network) and its member food banks. The Alaska Food Coalition is managing the project for the entire state. The purpose of the study is to conduct research into the distribution of food assistance services to low-income Americans through our network of agencies. This research is one of the most in-depth surveys of its size assessing the problem of hunger in America. The 2005 study amassed over 52,000 personal interviews with individuals who received food assistance and from 31,000 food distribution agencies.
The Hunger Study is unique in that it both surveys hunger relief organizations in local communities and compares those findings with agencies from other communities across the country, and surveys the clients who access these agencies' services to determine the reasons they need food assistance. This two pronged study – local agencies and recipients – enables the food banking community to better quantify the needs of its communities, and analyze the capacity of the charitable food distribution system to meet those needs.
The Hunger Study has been cited as authoritative research by the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, House and Senate Budget Committees, House and Senate Agriculture Committees, and the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees in various public events and legislative hearings over the last few years.
We Need Your Help!
In February 2009, all anti-hunger agencies in the state will be sent a questionnaire concerning services, resources and clients served. If you receive one of these surveys, please take 15 to 20 minutes of your time to complete the form and return it according to the instructions provided.
In addition, you may be selected by a third party data analysis firm (Mathematica Policy Research) for an on-site visit at your program site. During this visit, properly screened and trained AFC staff and volunteers will interview your clients about their household structure and the food needs of their families. All answers to questions (yours and your clients') are kept completely confidential. Client surveys will be conducted in February, March and April of 2009.
Your participation is this study is important! Survey data will help food banks, our elected officials, and the community as a whole understand the role your organization plays in providing food assistance to those in need in Alaska.
Have Questions?
Do you have questions about the project or want to know more about how your organization can use the results that will be collected? Contact Vanessa Salinas, Alaska Food Coalition Manager at 907.222.3103 or by email.
