Commonwealth North: Food Security Study Group

Transcript:Commonwealth North: Food Security Study Group:
Commonwealth North: Food Security Study Group Audio Summaries and Analysis Brian Murkowski June 25th 2020 Table of Contents Title Table of Contents Measure of Success Scope of Study Key Questions? Amy Sykes - AK Farm Bureau Amy Petit - AK Farmland Trust Eve Van Dommelen – Food Bank AK Karen McCarthy – Sen Murkowski Rachael Miller – Food policy Council David Schade – AK Div of Agriculture Tom Harris/ Charles parker – AK Village Initiatives Aqualogic/Gueck, 3 Bears Charles Parker – AK Village Initiatives Rick Green – AK Dept of Fish & game Measure of Success The Study will succeed in 4 ways: Identify actionable strategies that enable Alaska businesses to belter communicate and benefit from the availability of local food Develop a network of action-oriented stakeholders who will promote food security after recommendations are completed Implement risk reduction policies and procedures for food supply disruptions Enhance the states ability to develop sustainable programs and resources for food Scope of Study Some Key Questions to be Addressed What is food security and how does the state and other organizations define it for for: Its urban residents Its rural residents What basic legislation, infrastructure and resources are required to maximize and optimize agricultural/game capacity in the State? What are the federal, local and state’s role in food security and how can the state help coordinate and stimulate sustainable demand? What are the state’s contingencies in the event of a natural disaster or distribution at the Port of Alaska? Others…. Amy Sykes, Dir. AK Farm Bureau: Amy Sykes, AK Director for the Alaska Farm Bureau, Div of Agriculture. They act as advocates to build and improve agriculture economics and create a strong industry for the benefit of all. They promote Ag policy, education, and food security. The Dept of Ag's definition of Food Security involves "making sure that residents have access to food in an emergency" Food Security should mean a 90 day supply. The CDC says 90 days is necessary in the event of a major bio-hazard release etc. The table below shows how much food might be needed in Alaska for 90 days. Farm Bureau focuses on: Policy: Land, Access, sustainability Regulatory: Access to capital, processing Capital: eg. ARL Agriculture Revolving Loan Infrastructure: transport, storage, processing Education and Awareness: eg 4H, UA system, Land grant university Markets: Analyzing where products need to go based on need and economics Amy emphasized