How Can Alaska Become More Food Secure?

Food security is more important now than ever in Alaska. Alaska agriculture provides only 5% of the food we consume; the rest is flown, barged or driven in.

A new documentary created by ACEP’s chief storyteller, Amanda Byrd, explores some of the challenges Alaska farmers must overcome to produce food for their communities. These include wind, bison, moose, energy and water.

Only a fraction of the carrots that Alaska consumes are actually grown in the state, even though Alaska carrots have the highest sugar content due to the high latitude. Most carrots are imported from California. Peonies are Alaska’s largest agricultural export, and climate change is changing the risks associated with the flower crop. Only one U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved dairy remains in the state.

Growing more food in the state could ensure food is always on the shelves, especially during a natural disaster like an earthquake or a global pandemic like COVID-19.
The documentary was funded by AgriLogic Consulting and the USDA Risk Management Agency.

Follow this link to watch Alaska Grown!

 

Lynn Mayo and friends harvest carrots at Spinach Creek Farm in Fairbanks. Screenshot taking from the Alaska Grown documentary by Amanda Byrd.