Minutes
Alaska Food Coalition
Statewide Teleconference
November 13, 2002
Sam Castle-Kirstein - Community Food Bank - Fairbanks
Louise Charles - Bethel
Jim Dalman - DHSS - Public Assistance
Diane Disanto - State of Alaska DHSS
George Hieronymous -Rasmusson Foundation - Anchorage
Roy Hiratsuka - Bristol Bay Native Assn. - Dillingham
Sara Jackson - St. Francis House/CSS - Anchorage
Trevor Jones -Food Bank/Baptist Mission - Kodiak
Bonnie Lee - Sonrise Services - Wasilla
Randy Megan - University of Alaska
Betty Mercer - Senior Services - Wasilla
Peggy Moore - Peninsula Food Bank - Kenai
Susannah Morgan - Food Bank of Alaska
Ellen Northup - Juneau Senior Center
Wendell Otness - Rescue Misson - Fairbanks
Angela Selarno - DHSS
Annabelle Stevens - United Way - Anchorage
Molly Wheeler - USDA Food Program
Julie Yoeder - Nome Community Center
A brief synopsis was given of the Executive Committee Meeting
in Kodiak on October 25 and 26th, and the follow up meeting
with Ellen Maling of Alaska Funding on November 6.
Trevor reported on the progress of the fish project. He is
looking at 50,000 lbs. for the pilot project and there is
a good possibility that it could happen in March.
Molly and Wendall reviewed the statewide food drive issue.
Peggy suggested that Tom Richards is in tune with the fish
byproduct project and there might be some money available
for the project from USDA. George said that he thought Tom
Richards is more interested in building a fish processing
plant.
The Alaska Funding Exchange has made a proposal to develop
a funding landscape for the Alaska Food Coalition within the
next month for $1,900. Sam moved to accept their proposal.
Susannah seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Trevor emphasized the concern of the AFC for the devastated
fishing areas and the hunger that has resulted from the situation.
It is our hope that the development of the fish salvage project
is the best use of our energy and limited resources for long
term good.
Ellen thinks we are going in the right direction. Jim Dalman
is unclear about the proposal. Sam will email the details
to him.
AFC has been funded for years by the state. With the change
in administration, our future funding is insecure. We are
looking for sustainability and the fish project has broad
appeal.
Susannah reported on capacity building through the Denali
Commission. USDA may have money through community development
fund.
The Coalition welcomed Angela Selarno who will be taking
over Diane's role. Diane will transition her to the task.
Sam asked Diane if she is interested in a job with the Food
Coalition on contract. Diane cannot answer that at this point.
The Coalition welcomed Roy back. He requested that copies
of past minutes be mailed to him. He said things in his area
have been slow but are picking up. Fishing disaster has impacted
the villages. Current needs are being met through the Food
Bank of Alaska.
Louise reports that she is serving more people, possibly
due to the fish disaster. She needs more freezer capacity.
Hoping to get a big chest freezer in about a month.
Molly gave a TEFAP update. USDA is bailing out livestock
producers which may eventually cause a decrease in bonus commodities.
Alaska will probably receive the same volume this year as
last. Alaska's hunger numbers continue to increase.
Peggy met with Tyonek/Nanwallak/Port Graham/Seldovia. The
need is tremendous. Can we get more commodities to serve these
communities or do we have to spread what we have among them?
Answer: As your reports reflect more people enrolled, you
will receive more product.
Molly said that the state is looking at reevaluating the
distribution of the funds from USDA used for administration
of the commodities program. 100% of these funds have always
gone to the Food Bank of Alaska. The state is considering
whether or not that is appropriate. This money is definitely
not going to increase.
Molly encouraged us to write letters to Senator Stevens stating
that TEFAP admin funds are insufficient.
Sam asked if there are any dollars available for unusual
circumstances - hunger in remote areas. Food Bank of Alaska
has always taken responsibility for meeting those needs.
Susannah explained how even with 100% of the admin cost for
TEFAP coming to the Food Bank, they still have to absorb a
lot of freight costs.
Molly said that we have to keep taking to freight companies
to try to get them to donate their services.
Peggy talked about the stress of trying to serve villages
without funds. She does not know how they can do it. Susannah
responded that FBA will take responsibility for getting that
product out and said that she will call Peggy to discuss further.
Molly said that she got USDA to ship directly to Kenai, Kodiak
and other communities. That is a possibility for some other
areas, such as Bethel. USDA is already paying for commodities
used by the schools to be directly shipped to 12 communities.
Louise says she does not have storage space for commodities
at this time. Yukon-Kuskokwim is working with board for storage
space. Another problem is that it is more expensive to ship
to the villages from Bethel than to ship directly from Anchorage.
The biggest barrier to direct shipment to the villages has
always been appropriate storage and someone willing to assume
responsibility to manage the product when it arrives.
Sam asked if we should be capping our established TEFAP programs
to save product for rural need? We need to think about that.
The executive committee will meet with Molly in January to
discuss TEFAP issues.
There was a discussion about when we should go to Juneau.
This year it is especially important that we go. We need to
be establishing relationships with the new administration
even now. We should be attending community meetings and making
our interests known.
Louise says the earlier in the session we go the Juneau the
better. Betty made a motion that we meet in Juneau for our
annual meeting Feb. 22-24. Annabelle seconded. Motion passed.
By going to Juneau early in the session, we have a better
chance of getting a hear in one of the committees. We need
to cultivate a relationship with Dyson in Senate HESS committee.
Carl Gato is chair of House HESS committee.
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