Alaska Food Coalition

 

The Alaska Food Coalition advocates for lasting policy solutions that make nutritious, affordable, and culturally preferred food accessible in every community across Alaska.

Food Bank of Alaska proudly sponsors Alaska Food Coalition as its fiscal agent and partner in advocacy, research, and coalition building. Together, we address the root causes of hunger and pursue long-term, sustainable solutions centered on the people we serve.

Our Mission

We are committed to ending hunger in Alaska by:
✔  Advocating on behalf of our neighbors to strengthen nutrition programs and expand food access statewide.
✔  Sharing data and lived experience with policymakers and the public so decisions about hunger are grounded in what's actually happening in Alaska communities.
✔  Connecting food pantries, Tribal organizations, healthcare partners, and grassroots advocates to coordinate anti-hunger efforts and amplify impact.

Our History

Established in 1996, the Alaska Food Coalition began as an initiative supported by the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, now the Department of Health. Initially, the coalition focused on helping agencies and village councils access food resources and funding opportunities to support food security programs. Over time, the Alaska Food Coalition evolved into a statewide advocacy and education force, working with lawmakers, community leaders, and partner organizations to enact meaningful policy changes.

In 2001, Food Bank of Alaska became the fiscal sponsor for the Alaska Food Coalition, allowing the coalition to access broader funding streams, including federal USDA grants that continue to sustain the coalition today.

Three decades later, that same mission of connecting communities to the resources and policy changes they need to fight hunger is more urgent than ever as food insecurity continues to rise across Alaska.

Our Work

Advocacy & Education

Alaska Food Coalition leads coordinated efforts to influence policies that ensure that everyone eats. Each year, coalition members travel to Juneau for a Legislative Fly-In to:

• Engage with elected officials and policymakers to champion stronger food security policies

• Share lived experience and data to illustrate the impact of food insecurity on Alaskans

• Participate in discussions about community needs, state and federal hunger relief programs

Our advocacy is rooted in the belief that policies should reflect the needs of the neighbors and communities we serve and work toward a future where hunger in Alaska is truly a thing of the past.

Key Advocacy Wins:

✔ Securing $2,000,000 for food banks and pantries to meet rising demand
✔ Passing Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) legislation for SNAP, eliminating the asset test and raising income limits so more working Alaskans can access food assistance without losing benefits over small savings 
✔ Securing SNAP emergency allotments during COVID-19
✔ Expanding school meal programs and increasing funding for child nutrition
✔ Removing the drug felony ban for SNAP eligibility, ensuring access for those in need

Our Work

Research and Data

Hunger remains a persistent and costly challenge in Alaska.

• Nearly 116,000 Alaskans are food insecure
• Nearly 1 in 5 Alaskan children experience hunger

Alaska Food Coalition draws on trusted national and state data sources, including Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, USDA food security reports, and Alaska-specific research with in-state partners, to understand where and how hunger is affecting Alaskans. We pair data with the lived experience of our members and the neighbors they serve, so policymakers hear both the numbers and the stories behind them. Our work includes: 

✔ Tracking food insecurity trends through Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap, USDA, and state-level data
✔ Sharing relevant state and national research with legislators, community leaders, and member organizations
✔ Pairing data with lived experience to make the case for policy change

Our Work

Coalition Building and Partnerships

Alaska Food Coalition believes that collaboration is essential to fighting hunger effectively. By connecting food pantries, state agencies, Tribal organizations, and nonprofits, Alaska Food Coalition:

• Facilitates information sharing to strengthen local food systems

• Supports grassroots advocates working on hunger relief initiatives

• Helps member organizations access funding and program resources

Membership is open to anyone interested in being part of the solution to ending hunger in Alaska.

Members include:

✔   Kenai Peninsula Food Bank
✔   Alaska Children’s Trust
✔   Alaska Food Policy Council
✔   Bristol Bay Native Association
✔   Nome Community Center

...and many more partners statewide!