Purchase and distribute local food targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

The Salamatof Tribal Council was awarded a $225,974 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service under the Pandemic Relief Activities: Local Food Purchase Agreements with States, Tribes, and Local Governments (CFDA 10.182) program. The purpose of this 2-year award is for the Salamatof Tribe to purchase and distribute locally sourced foods, including traditional foods and locally raised livestock, with a focus on supporting at least 7 socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in the Kenai Peninsula region of Alaska. The tribe plans to purchase from at least 15 local producers and distribute the foods to approximately 200 Alaska Native and American Indian community members to address food security needs. This program aims to strengthen the local and regional food system, support economic opportunities for underserved producers, and increase access to fresh, nutritious foods for food-insecure populations in the area. The tribe will submit quarterly performance reports and an annual report to track program metrics and outcomes.

Salamatof tribe local food purchase program will promote access to local food and strengthen supply chain resilience in an area where many tribal members and other alaska natives struggle with food security. The kenai peninsula and most of the state of alaska are dependent on a handful of routes to receive commodities, including food. This program will also strengthen resilience as IT relates to supply chains and emergency events. The salamatof tribe will purchase locally sourced and harvest food, including traditional foods and local domesticated livestock. We expect to purchase foods from at least 15 locally producers, ensuring seven are socially disadvantaged producers. Additionally, we will attempt to purchase first from small native owned producers. Our goals are to distribute these foods to 200 members / alaska natives living within our area and support participants in our youth department program. This program is expected to last at least twelve months. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations as well as funds expended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks. Goals are to purchase enough locally grown and harvested food from at least two local businesses to including the local farmers market, alaska food hub and the local fish market tanners alaskan seafood and local commercial fishers to distribute. Distribute food to at least 200 alaska natives living within the salamatof area. These foods will be distributed through both in-person pickup and via. To provide lunch and snacks for our year-round youth program. The lfpa grant will be used to provide food, salamatof tribe will provide the delivery costs for distribution. This program includes plans to establish learning networks, track metrics, educate the community on program benefits and create a learned repository. Salamatof tribe will purchase from at least 15 local producers, ensuring 7 are socially disadvantaged producers. Salamatof will first utilize small native owned producers be fore purchasing from larger nonnative entities. Salamatof tribe expects at least 200 alaska native/american indian people to benefit from this program. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.