Alaska food security research, activity, and
needs map
Develop a searchable map documenting
Alaska food security research and activities. Characterize strengths, gaps, and associations.
Alaska’s food system is more sustainable.
Alaskans are engaged in our food system.
Melissa Wilson†
Brittany Smith†
Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC)
Select Food Security and Health Research in the UAA Master of Public Health (MPH) Program
Elizabeth Hodges Snyder*, Assistant Professor of Public Health, UAA MPH Program
Food security is the product of a diverse, integrated food system that sustainably supports food availability, food access, and food utilization for all members of a community. In turn,community access and utilization of safe, nutritious, and culturally preferred foods can contribute to improved physical, mental, and social health. Research can contribute to improvingcommunity food security and health by providing insight into specific needs and gaps in the local food system; informing development of innovative solutions and interventions; andcharacterizing food inequities. Food security and health research has expanded in recent years at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) to meet both the unique needs of Alaskacommunities and the research interests of UAA faculty and students. This poster presents some examples of past and current food security research conducted in collaboration with theUAA MPH Program. If you have a research need, an idea for collaboration, or wish to discuss your own research initiatives, we would look forward to speaking with you. Issues ofnational and state food security are also explored in the online summer graduate course HS A690 Food Security & Nutrition.
Food security and local food production in
Alaska: Status, challenges, and opportunities
Understand current state of food
production in Alaska and identify options to
promote local food production and
promote overall food security.
All Alaskans have access to affordable, healthy (preferably
local) foods.
Shannon DonovanLiz Snyder
Renata Ballesteros-Lopez
Carol Knuth†
Karina Gonzales†
The Rasmuson Foundation
Identifying barriers to local food resources in
Anchorage, Alaska through a small-scale
local food needs assessment and GIS
analysis.
Characterize environmental, social,
and economic local food accessibility
barriers in Anchorage, Alaska.
All Alaskans have access to affordable, healthy (preferably
local) foods.
Liza Root†
Institute for Circumpolar Health
Studies (ICHS)
Alaskan adolescent nutrition project
Develop and evaluate structured teaching modules that meet
Alaskan standards for 8th grade nutrition and
science education (utilizing indoor
vertical drip irrigation units).
All Alaskans have access to affordable, healthy (preferably
local) foods.Alaskans are engaged
in our food system.
Carol McCarty†
Local middle school
Developing a mobile farmers market in Anchorage, Alaska
Help improve food security in Anchorage, Alaska by increasing
access to fresh, healthy, and affordable
food for low income populations through
development of a mobile farmers
market.
All Alaskans have access to affordable, healthy (preferably
local) foods.Alaska’s food system is
more sustainable.
Shaina Seidner†
Anchorage Community Land Trust (ACLT)
An Alaska community garden practice guide
Develop a community gardening practice
guide focused on safe urban gardening in the
circumpolar north.
Food is safe, protected, and supplies are
secure throughout Alaska.
Alaskans are engaged in our food system.
Ryan McWilliams†
Alaska Community Action on Toxics (ACAT)
Characterizing anti-hunger programs in
schools
Conduct a gap analysis of food programs and anti-hunger programs
in Alaska schools.
All Alaskans have access to affordable, healthy (preferably
local) foods.
Tracy Gregg
Maniilaq Association
Impacts of fish waste piles in Alaska
Complete a meta-analysis and identify
the location, size, and impact of fish waste
piles on water bodies in Alaska.
Alaska’s food system is more sustainable.
Tara Martich†
Environmental Protection Agency
Project Title
Project Goals
Relevant AFPC Goals
Investigators
Community Partners
*Elizabeth Snyder is a faculty advisor and contact for the listed projects. Email: [email protected]
Youth education in Alaska food systems
Develop food-related youth education materials to help
prepare current and future generations of
Alaskans to sustainably meet the growing
demands on Alaska’s food systems.
Alaskans are engaged in our food system.
Alaska’s food-related industries have a
strong workforce and operate in a supportive business environment.
Jessika Beam†
To be determined
†MPH Program graduate student
