HB 298-ALASKA FOOD STRATEGY TASK FORCE  8:06:37 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 298, "An Act establishing the Alaska Food Strategy Task Force; and providing for an effective date." 8:07:10 AM REPRESENTATIVE LIZ SNYDER, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor of HB 298, noted that she had received 22 letters of support for the proposed legislation, and the letters are available in the committee packet. 8:07:43 AM REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE said he would like to see more feedback from farmers. 8:08:24 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced the committee would hear invited testimony. 8:08:48 AM ROBBI MIXON, Executive Director, Alaska Food Policy Council, gave an overview of the goals of the Alaska Food Policy Council (AFPC). She talked about partnership grants and the connection of localized food systems, as well as a systems approach to food security planning on the local, borough, and state levels, to leverage assets. She remarked on turning broad policy recommendations into tangible policies and regulations for Alaska. She said AFPC could provide support for the task force proposed under HB 298 and has the training to do so. She said she considers HB 298 "a continuation of the work ahead of us," and said this would be a long-term collective effort. She said there would be stakeholder input in order to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. She remarked that there are tremendous challenges ahead, but AFPC believes in the visions of food security and is in full support of HB 298. 8:13:25 AM AMY SEITZ, Executive Director, Alaska Farm Bureau; Chair, Alaska Food Policy Council, stated that both the Alaska Farm Bureau and the AFPC believe Alaska needs to build a resilient food system, which has been reliant on outside sources and systems. The food supply chain has been disrupted repeatedly. She emphasized the need for collaboration in establishing a secure food system in Alaska. She further emphasized the importance of a reliable transportation system. She said the task force established under HB 298 would bring together experts from various areas, including involvement of the State of Alaska. In response to Representative McCabe, she indicated she would make sure there would be more input from farmers. In response to a question from Representative Prax, she offered information regarding the Fairbanks chapter of the Alaska Farm Bureau. 8:21:07 AM TIKAAN GALBREATH, Technical Assistant Specialist, Intertribal Agricultural Council, gave a history of the Intertribal Agricultural Council, established in 1987, and its focus on conservation development and agricultural resources "for the betterment of our people." He said global events are highlighting the need for local food sourcing. He said the council invests its energy in an array of diverse programs. His program is funded under the National Technical Network. He described Alaska's position as unique, as in many cases the state does not have existing infrastructure. He spoke of reducing the global carbon footprint. He noted that Alaska Native people hold the most land in the state, and he spoke about subsistence and sharing of resources. He asked the committee to consider whether they would want to live in Alaska if all its food resources disappeared. He encouraged the legislature to support those resources, and he said HB 298 is a meaningful step in doing so. 8:27:51 AM MR. GALBREATH, in response to comment by Representative McCabe regarding old ways of food storage, agreed regarding the importance of looking to traditional methods in finding solutions to the global challenges being faced. 8:29:55 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN opened public testimony on HB 298. 8:30:18 AM SHARON STEVENS GANSER, He Will Provide Food Pantry, spoke about the work of the food pantry and food insecurity in Seward and statewide. She asked the committee to consider "developing" HB 298 the task force. In response to Co-Chair Hannan, she said there were 336 people who used the food pantry last year, "so throughout the year that counted as 2,800 households." She explained that meant the 336 people came back to the food pantry several times. In response to Representative Drummond, she clarified that point. 8:33:11 AM RACHAEL MILLER, Member, Alaska Food Policy Council Board, said she is also a professor at Alaska Pacific University. She posited that investing in food security is not only about scarcity but also about opportunity and leadership in the north. She talked about presenting to the Alaska Food and Farm Caucus back to back with Governor Mike Dunleavy's issuance of Administrative Order 331. She called food a bi-partisan topic. She talked about reports that exist and the issue of how federal dollars are leveraged for Alaska. She offered her belief that HB 298 is an inclusive and timely bill, which she supports as a means to capitalize current momentum and interest in food security. 8:38:30 AM MELISSA MARTIN, President, Anchor Point Food Pantry, spoke about food waste and fish being thrown back that could be used by a food bank, and she opined there is a need for a task force such as the one proposed under HB 298. 8:40:03 AM RON MEEHAN, Policy and Advocacy Manager, Food Bank of Alaska; Manager, Alaska Food Coalition, testified in support of HB 298 as a bill that would allow the state to develop its comprehensive food policy strategy to strengthen its food system, reduce food insecurity, and grow its local food economies. He spoke about Alaska's unique food security issues arising from its remote geographical location. He said food banks in the state have experienced an unprecedented level of food insecurity since the beginning of the pandemic. He said finding solutions to overcome barriers [to food security] will require collaboration among stakeholders from Alaska's food systems statewide. He talked about growing the agricultural industry, increasing efficiencies in state-run programs, and ensuring food security throughout the state. He stated support for HB 298. 8:43:00 AM CLAIRE LUBKE, Program Director, St. Francis House Food Pantry, Catholic Social Services, testified in support of HB 298. She spoke about the negative effect of food security on people's lives and the need for improved food systems. She talked about the numbers served by the food pantry. She mentioned agricultural programing and the largest urban farm in the Municipality of Anchorage, farmer's markets, opportunities for people to become "food entrepreneurs, and the positive impact of these. She said Catholic Social Services has a vested interest in food production and access. She praised the robust committee representation and comprehensive food security categories outlined under HB 298. In response to Representative Drummond, she offered further information regarding the largest farm in the municipality. 8:47:37 AM MS. LUBKE, in response to a question from Representative Prax about paying someone to grow food, talked about federal funding for programming and refugee agriculture grants. She offered to obtain further information to share. 8:49:37 AM MS. LUBKE, in response to Representative McCarty, said she could provide information about the sustainability of the program. 8:51:24 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN, after ascertaining that there was no one else who wished to testify, closed public testimony on HB 298. 8:51:47 AM REPRESENTATIVE SNYDER made closing remarks. She emphasized the savings in producing food in Alaska is but one positive aspect; another is in relation to the jobs that would be created. 8:53:27 AM CO-CHAIR HANNAN announced that HB 298 was held over.