Events in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Sitka, and Juneau
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2017
Juneau – Representative Geran Tarr (D-Anchorage) will host events across the state this week for Alaska’s third annual Food Security Week. This year’s theme is “All About Alaska Grown” and the week will celebrate local food producers and Alaska’s agricultural history. There will also be opportunities to discuss economic opportunities in Alaska’s agriculture industry, and future opportunities for increasing the state’s local food initiatives.
“Food brings people together. Through Alaska Grown, we bring our communities, economies, and state closer together,” said Rep. Tarr. “Alaska Food Security Week raises awareness about how Alaska can have accessible and healthy local foods. It will also show the positive impact purchasing Alaska Grown products can have on our economy and how we can support these Alaska Grown efforts.”
According to the United Nations’ Committee on World Food Security, food security is the condition in which all people, at all times, have physical, social and economic access to sufficient safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
Anchorage will be the first community to kick off Alaska Food Security Week tonight at 7 p.m. in the Anchorage Museum. Wednesday’s event will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Blue Loon in Fairbanks and Friday’s event will be in Juneau at 5:30 p.m. in room 106 of the State Capitol. Alaska Food Security Week will conclude in Sitka on Friday, March 24th at 6 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
At each community event, attendees will watch two films. The first film features interviews with Alaskan farmers regarding Alaska Grown. The second film titled “Alaska Far Away” details the history of over 200 New Deal pioneers that settled the Mat-Su Valley during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“This is the third year I have sponsored a state-wide week dedicated to Alaskan food security, and every year the movement continues to grow,” said Rep. Tarr. “This past February, we heard from NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory on how ocean acidification is impacting Alaska’s food security when it comes to fisheries. There are many different facets to food security, and the movement to sustainable local foods requires statewide support.”
For more information, please contact Rep. Tarr’s office at (907) 465-3424.
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