Alaska Tilth Expansion Program (Mat-Su Health Foundation Coronavirus Prevention and Response Grant)

Alaska Tilth Expansion Program

Funder: Mat-Su Health Foundation (Coronavirus Prevention and Response grant)

Geographic Scope: Mat-Su Valley, Alaska

Focus Areas:

• Food security
• Supporting local farmers
• Feeding communities in need
• Fresh produce access
• SNAP-Ed Nutrition Education services

Project Title: "Funding Our Farmers, Feeding Our Families – Expanding Alaska Tilth"

What They Fund:

• Purchase of produce from Mat-Su farmers at fair market prices
• Distribution to communities of need
• Nutrition education and practical tools for recipients
• Low-cost recipes and cooking demonstrations

Partnerships:

• Matanuska Experiment Farm
• UAF Cooperative Extension
• APU's Spring Creek Farm

Project Timeline: July - November 2020 (culminating in a publicly available report with findings and recommendations)

Impact:
In the five years prior to this grant, Alaska Tilth distributed over 8,000 pounds of food reaching well over 1,000 individuals at Mat-Su Valley locations including:

• Senior centers
• SNAP nutrition workshops
• Mat-Su Women's Shelter
• Mat-Su Food Bank
• Kids Kupboard

Program Goals:

• Connect farmers growing local food to community members in need
• Build food security in Alaska
• Support both farmers and community members in the Mat-Su Valley
• Strengthen and healthier communities