Minutes

Alaska Food Coalition
Frontier Building, Suite 890
Anchorage, Alaska
3:00-4:00 PM

The teleconference was called to order at 3:05. Jim Crockett, President of the Food Coalition chaired the meeting with the assistance of Julie Beatty, the new AFC Coordinator.

Attending

Susannah Morgan, Merri Mike Adams (FBA's new Development Director), Janelle Gomez, Mike Roshin, Elder Ralph Minson, Sister Dixie Minson, Stephanie Michael, Sara Jackson, Becky Parker, Jim Crockett, Robert Buttcane, Julie Yoder, April Knudson, Louise Charles, Roy Hiratsuka, Betty Mercer, Linda Swarner, Jetta Whittaker, Molly Wheeler, Charles Swanson, and Julie Beatty.

I. Introductions

AFC members introduced themselves and shared about their programs and current concerns

II. Website

Julie Beatty shared that the Alaska Food Coalition Web Site is now up and running. The current web address is www.alaskafood.org. Members will note that information on the site is out-of-date. Julie will be working with Information Insights out of Fairbanks to update the site. Examples of information found on the site will include contact information for members, minutes from past meetings, links to other web sites focusing on hunger issues, and information about the AFC mini-grants. Bob Buttcane suggested that perhaps we consider listing recipes for produce such as pumpkins which we will have a surplus of with the approaching holiday.

III. Mini-Grants

Julie Beatty and Susannah shared about the mini-grants for this year as money has been set aside to assist charitable food programs strengthen their infrastructure. Funds can be utilized for equipment or training. Funds may not be used for direct food purchases or for the shipping of food. Funds can be used to pay for the shipment of equipment. Susannah clarified that $30,000 has been set aside for grant funds; a provider may request up to $2,000 in funding. If a provider requests more than $2,000, the request will still be considered. Julie discussed the application time-line. PSA's will run beginning January 1. Providers will then have until Jan 28 to turn in the applications. A panel of five individuals will then review the applications and score them using a standardized scale. Award announcements will be made March 1. The panel of reviewers includes Diane DiSanto (Board member from St. Francis House), Jon Hurst (Board member of Fairbanks Food Bank), Jon Walters (Board Member of Kenai Food Bank), Mike Walsh (Board Member of Fairbanks Food Bank). There is one more slot to fill. Steve Williams from the Mental Health court and Board member of Bean's Café has been asked as well, but we are awaiting a response.

AFC members were asked to give feedback about the process. Sara Jackson voiced concern about the quick turn-around time of the grants. Sara shared concern that perhaps providers would not have enough time to complete the application. Jim Crockett shared that he felt the timeline was reasonable and felt that we would need to complete the process earlier due to the fiscal year ending June 30. Julie Beatty shared that perhaps the process of getting the word out about the grants could begin earlier to give providers more time. Plans were made to begin PSA's earlier in December. Other ideas for getting the word out were solicited. Susannah shared that Food Bank of AK would print an announcement in their newsletter. Bob Buttcane shared about a list serve that he has for faith based organizations. Discussed utilizing PSA's via public radio, sending emails to AFC agency members, and advertising on the AFC web site.

IV. Fish Project

Julie Beatty gave an update on the Fish Project, coordinated by Trevor Jones in Kodiak. Julie shared that the project has been at a stand still over the last few months, however Trevor is planning to attend the International Halibut Commission meeting in Canada in January to get approval for the program. Julie also shared that Trevor has asked for some assistance with learning more about the composition of the Commission. She plans to travel to Kodiak on Oct 11 to learn more about the project. Susannah Morgan gave an overview of the history of the project, as there were new members of the Coalition present who were not familiar with the proposal. Jim Crockett will also be traveling to Canada with Trevor in January to attend the meeting.

V. Base-line Studies

Julie Beatty shared that in past Coalition meetings, members have discussed the need to coordinate baseline studies to measure food security in AK. Two questions that have been asked in the past are “How many people in AK are hungry?” and “Who is accessing services from charitable food programs?” To get answers to the above questions, Julie reviewed four options of studies that will be looked at over the next few months.

A. Provider Study: Julie discussed the need to talk with providers to see how they are currently gathering data to measure numbers of individuals served. Plans have been made to conduct interviews with both rural and urban providers using an interview format. Julie has drafted a sample interview form and has emailed it AFC members. Feedback is welcome from providers. By understanding what is currently done by providers, AFC can then develop a standardized way for gathering data to better understand the numbers of individuals who are food insecure or hungry in our state.

B. A2H Hunger Study 2005: Susannah Morgan shared about an approach to answering the question “Who is accessing services from charitable food programs in AK”. The Food Bank of AK is currently in touch with A2H about participating in the Hunger Study 2005. This study, consisting of 400 in person interviews, would measure demographics of individuals accessing care. Susannah is encouraging that AFC support this study. More information is to come about our ability to help with this effort.

C. Behavioral Health Risk Factor Study: Julie shared that another way to measure hunger in AK would be to get involved with the Behavioral Health Risk Factor Study that is sponsored by the Dept of Epidemiology on a yearly basis. The hope is that AFC will be able to get several questions that measure food security on the survey. Julie is currently working to get more information from the State on how this works and if this would be a possibility.

D. Gap Fit: As AFC participates in a Provider Study, the Hunger Study 2005, and the Behavioral Health Risk Factor Study, our organization can also identify gaps in services in both urban and rural areas of the state.

VI. How to Interact with Hunters

Jim and Julie opened up the topic of how to interact with hunters as several agencies have recently requested that this come up for discussion.

Roy Hiratsuka shared that his agency receives grant funds to process wild game at a local meat market. This for his agency's Senior Program.

Linda Swarner shared that they also accept fresh meat such as caribou as well as last year's frozen meat. She has volunteers who offer to butcher the meat.

Susannah Morgan shared that the Food Bank of AK accepts meat that has been processed through companies including Indian Valley. This is to insure that the quality meets the highest health and safety standards. She then ships it out to those who have requested the food via Northern Air Cargo. Susannah shared that the Food Bank does not accept fish, but that fish can be accepted at the pantry level.

Linda Swarner reminded AFC members that we cannot accept bear meat due to trichinosis. Shellfish cannot be accepted either.

Charles Swanson from the Fairbanks Rescue Mission stated that his organization has a commercial butcher room for the purpose of processing meat.

Louise from Bethel shared that her program is in need of game donations due to a poor hunting season. She shared that they had not had as much fish this year. Jim Crockett shared that he could send some fish her way.

AFC members then discussed the moose kill program supported by the troopers. The question was asked if it is volunteers from the community who provide the service. Janelle Gomez shared that the program is supported by private citizens who volunteer their time to be on-call to butcher road-kill. Coalition members then shared how they felt it might be a good endeavor on our part to pursue the development of a volunteer group to assist with this program.

VII. Announcements

A. Robert Buttcane announced that there is a function this Thursday at O'Malley's where candidates running for office will be fielding questions from constituents. Robert shared he felt this may be a good opportunity to see where candidates stand on issues of hunger.

B. Susannah announced that the Food Bank of AK as well as several faith based organizations including Lutheran Social Services, Abbott Loop, and Catholic Social Services are coordinating their efforts to provide food box distribution for the Thanksgiving holidays. Individuals and families will be able to pick up boxes at designated organizations within their zip code.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:00. Plans were made to hold the next meeting on January 12 from 3-4:00. This meeting will be held in the form of a teleconference. Becky Parker stated she would assist with the coordination of the meeting again.