Alaska’s Department of Health risks losing federal funding for its food stamp program, warned a letter from the United States Department of Agriculture on Tuesday. It said the department is out of compliance with federal standards for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program due to what it described as “inefficient and ineffective administration.” The Department of Health has struggled to manage a backlog of … Read More

Food and nutrition insecurity has risen to alarming rates across Alaska, and Carrs Safeway is helping answer the challenge with additional benefits and services for SNAP customers. Today, Carrs Safeway is launching new online and in-store benefits for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at all its stores in Alaska. This is the latest innovation in the company’s on-going efforts … Read More

Alaska has received $5.9 million in federal funding for a summer food program meant to help reduce food insecurity in rural communities by providing weekly shipments of shelf-stable meals to 4,000 eligible kids beginning in May. The project, announced this month by U.S. Department of Agriculture, is meant to help make up for the loss of free school lunches provided … Read More

The new federal program would have meant an extra $120 per child in direct funds this summer to families who qualify for free or reduced lunches — or about half of all kids in Alaska. Officials with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration cited a major food stamps backlog at the Alaska Division of Public Assistance as the reason for opting out of the program, which would have … Read More

Alaskans can now apply for food stamp benefits online, after the state Division of Public Assistance announced the launch of an online form Friday.  It’s part of the state’s effort to revamp the food assistance system to speed up application processing, as some Alaskans have waited months for their benefits. A backlog of thousands of applications has plagued the division for … Read More

The Food Bank of Alaska is reporting unprecedented levels of food insecurity this year amid rising food costs statewide and major food stamp backlogs at the state Division of Public Assistance. Officials at those agencies say $4.5 million in state aid earmarked for food banks and pantries in Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proposed state budget among other fixes could help. But … Read More

Have you heard about the grocery cards that can help relieve hunger across Alaska? Channel 2 & CBS 5, Carrs Safeway, and the Food Bank of Alaska have joined together for the “Nourish Alaska” campaign. Help keep meals on the tables for thousands of households across the state. Stop by any Carrs Safeway location and donate today. Every donation makes … Read More

It’s the giving season, which means it’s time to start thinking of those special people on your list. But, before you run out and buy something bright and new, consider giving your loved ones a gift that does good this year. And because the hardest part of gift giving is thinking of one, we did some of the leg work … Read More

Every year, the Food Bank of Alaska organizes volunteers and food donations to provide boxes of Thanksgiving dinners to families in need.  The organization calls the annual give away Thanksgiving Blessing. Cara Durr is chief of advocacy and public policy for the Food Bank of Alaska, and says this year’s event was well attended.  But a decline in donations and … Read More