traditional foods

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Sitka Community Food Assessment Team thanks those who helped with food security survey

Thank you, Sitka, for taking, sharing, and supporting the Sitka Food Security Survey! Our survey ran from September to the end of October, and we gathered more than 400 responses. This survey is part of a larger effort to better understand food security in Sitka and capture the ways in which we can make it easier for all Sitkans to have access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally relevant food. We are so grateful for the outpouring of support and for each person who took time out of their day to complete the survey.

This work is a result of a partnership between the Sitka Local Foods Network and Transition Sitka, both local nonprofits with a vested interest in food security in Sitka. We are grateful to the dedicated members of those organizations who donated their time to help spread the word about the survey, especially Charles Bingham, Leah Mason, Barbara Bingham, and Toby Campbell. This work would not be possible without the dedicated support and guidance of our steering committee which include community partners at the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Social Services Department, The Sitka Public Library, Sitkans Against Family Violence, Blessings in a Backpack, Sitka Conservation Society, and UAF Cooperative Extension Services.

A special thanks to the organizations and events in town that shared and hosted the survey including the Sitka Sound Science Center, the Sitka Public Library, Indigenous People’s Day, Coffee with Elders, Southeast Alaska Independent Living, UAS Sitka Campus, AC Lakeside, Sitka Homeless Coalition, Sitka Sentinel, and Raven Radio.

Gunalchéesh, thank you for your support in this work! We plan to share results from the survey in early spring. If you would like to be added to our listserv to receive updates, including summary survey results, please email sitkafoodassessment@gmail.com.

In gratitude and service,
The Sitka Community Food Assessment Team

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Like what we do? Now you or your business can sponsor the Sitka Local Foods Network in 2024

The Sitka Local Foods Network in recent years created a sponsorship program to help promote our mission, and Sitka businesses and individuals are welcome to join for 2024. The goal of the sponsorship program is to make the projects we undertake (Sitka Farmers Market, St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm, gardening education, food business development, etc.) more sustainable.

“Sitka has a precarious position when it comes to food security, and the Sitka Local Foods Network is trying to improve our community food security through our mission to increase the amount of locally harvested and produced foods in the diets of Southeast Alaskans,” Sitka Local Foods Network president Charles Bingham said. “Sponsors of the Sitka Local Foods Network are working with an organization and a farmers market that places a high value on local food and businesses, fun, premium quality goods and experiences.”

In recent years, the Sitka Local Foods Network has hosted 7-8 Sitka Farmers Markets during the summer (from July to September). Due to COVID-19, we had to greatly scale back our 2020 Sitka Farmers Markets, focusing just on produce sales and using an online sales portal, but we did double our number of market weeks. In 2021, we hosted an outdoor-only market that brought back some of our vendors. In 2022, we returned to our usual venue of the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall after a two-year absence, and we almost had a normal market (with masking to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and no half-tables to spread out vendors). We had a similar experience in our 2023 markets. We haven’t set our 2024 market dates yet, but we anticipate we will announce them in the spring.

In addition, we grow most of the local produce sold at the markets at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm communal garden and a couple of other locations in town. In March 2020 we built a new high tunnel at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm, and we were able to add another new high tunnel before the 2021 growing season. These high tunnels allowed us to extend our growing season and helped reduce the impact of our last couple of cold, wet summers. We usually offer a variety of garden education classes in the spring. And one way we ensured fresh, local produce is available to lower-income Sitkans is through our matching program for WIC and SNAP beneficiaries (the first $20 spent on produce at the market), courtesy of recent grants from the Sitka White Elephant Shop and the Sitka Legacy Foundation.

In 2018 we launched the Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest to inspire food entrepreneurs in Sitka, and have continued the program with the expectation of hosting it again in 2024 (our 2023 winners were Andrea Fraga of Middle Island Gardens and Michael and Julie Miller of Field to Fire). In 2023-24, the Sitka Local Foods Network is partnering with Transition Sitka on two projects — one to update the 2014 Sitka Community Food Assessment Indicators Report and the other to build a new community garden at the top of Jarvis Street. In addition, we support other local food projects in Sitka, such as the Fish to Schools lunch program and the Sitka Kitch community rental commercial kitchen.

There are four levels of sponsorship available, and each has its own set of perks.

  • Grower ($2,500-plus) — We’ll hang your banner at ANB Hall during the Sitka Farmers Markets, include your logo and company name prominently in our merchandise and advertisements, and thank you on our social media and web pages. If appropriate for the Sitka Farmers Market, you may set up a free promotional booth.
  • Harvester ($1,000-$2,499) — We’ll hang your banner at ANB Hall during the Sitka Farmers Markets and include your logo and company name in our merchandise and advertisements.
  • Planter ($250-$999) — Your banner will hang at ANB Hall during the Sitka Farmers Markets.
  • Friend ($50-$249) — You are listed on our online sponsor page.

We have limited space for banners at the Sitka Farmers Markets, so please contact us before June 1 to guarantee your spot. To learn more about the sponsorship program, click the link below for details and a registration form. For more information, contact Charles Bingham at (907) 623-7660 or by email at sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com.

• 2024 Sitka Local Foods Network sponsorship program details and registration form

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Thanks for a successful 16th season of the Sitka Farmers Market

2023 Sitka Farmers Market Manager Anastasia Stefanowicz with fresh produce at the Sitka Local Foods Network farm stand

The Sitka Local Foods Network just completed its 16th season of hosting the Sitka Farmers Market. We hope Sitka residents enjoyed the market, and we plan to be back next summer for a 17th season.

Over the last couple of years, we had to make some adjustments as we dealt with this Covid-19 pandemic thing, which meant relocating our market for two years and in one of those years reformatting it to an online-purchase system. The last two years we’ve been able to return to our usual venue, the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall, even though we still had to require masks when we had markets during high-Covid risk weeks. 

But we got through it and hope to have a better season next year.

The Sitka Local Foods Network couldn’t host the market without the support of a wide range of sponsors. We have a tiered sponsorship program with four levels — Grower ($2,500-plus), Harvester ($1,000-$2,499), Planter ($250-$999) and Friend ($50-$249). These are local businesses and individuals, and even a few not from Sitka, who are supporting our programs.

Our Grower Level sponsors in 2022 and/or 2023 included the Alaska Cancer Partnership (a program of the Alaska Division of Public Health), The Alaska Community Foundation, and Alaska Food Policy Council.

Our Harvester Level sponsors were the Sitka Salmon Shares/Sitka Seafood Market 1% For The Wild Fund, The Sitka Legacy Foundation, SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), Sitka White Elephant Shop (White E), the GCI Gives Fund, ALPS/Tongass Federal Credit Union, the Alaska Farmers Markets Association, Northrim Bank, David and Margaret Steward, and Joel and Alice Hanson.

Our Planter Level sponsors were Harry Race Pharmacy/White’s Inc., Sea Mart, Market Center, Fish and Family Seafoods, the Sitka Employees of First National Bank Alaska, Sitka True Value/Ace Hardware, Linda Schmidt, Amanda Anjum, Colin McIntosh of Outpost Agriculture, and Charles Bingham.

Our Friend Level sponsors included Beth Short-Rhoads, Patricia Atkinson, Guillermo Espinoza, Ehsan Espinoza, Robb Garni, Jud Kirkness, Catherine Allgood-Mellema, Joe Leghorn, Pat Hanson, Beth Kindig, Lisa Sadleir-Hart, Jaime Zelhuber, Christina Kowalczewski, Traci Gale, Math Trafton, Zoe Trafton, Leah Mason, Moira McBride, Steve Paustian and Mary Beth Nelson, Aubrey Nelson, Kent Barkhau, Deborah Brincefield, and Robin Sherman. 

We thank you for your support. We also appreciate everybody who came to one of our markets this summer to support the local businesses selling local food or arts and crafts. 

This brings us to our offseason, where we plan and raise funds for 2024. The Sitka Local Foods Network is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to increase the amount of locally produced and harvested food in the diets of Southeast Alaskans. In addition to the Sitka Farmers Market, we grow food at St. Peter’s Fellowship Farm, sponsor the Sitka Food Business Innovation Contest, and connect residents to education opportunities for growing, cooking, and preserving local food. 

We also are partnering this year with Transition Sitka on two food security projects — to update the data from the 2014 Sitka Community Food Assessment Indicators Report and to start a new community garden at the top of Jarvis Street.

We always need new board members and volunteers. For more information, go to our website at www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org or contact SLFN Board President Charles Bingham at sitkalocalfoodsnetwork@gmail.com.

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Carissa Cullins of CC’s Berries wins table of the day award at seventh Sitka Farmers Market

PHOTO COURTESY OF SITKA LOCAL FOODS NETWORK
TABLE OF THE DAY AWARD: Sitka Farmers Market manager Anastasia Stefanowicz, right, presents Carissa Cullins of CC’s Berries with the Table of the Day Award for the seventh and final Sitka Farmers Market of the season; on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Founders Hall. Carissa sold strawberries hand-dipped in chocolate and cake lollipops. She received a certificate; a SLFN totebag; Sitka Farmers Market chocolate bars (from Theobroma); jars of kelp pickles and pasta sauce from Foraged and Found; and other prizes. This was the last Sitka Farmers Market of the 2023 summer, and we hope to announce the 2024 schedule in the spring. Potential vendors will be able to register at https://sitkafarmersmarket.eventsmart.com once the schedule is announced. For more information about the markets and the host Sitka Local Foods Network; go to http://www.sitkalocalfoodsnetwork.org.

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Sitka Community Food Assessment update kicks off with new food security survey

Struggling to buy the foods you prefer to eat? Have food stored in case of an emergency?  Able to access the local, wild foods you love? Take the Sitka Food Security Survey and help local organizations better understand the food challenges facing Sitkans and the community. 

This project will update the Sitka Community Food Assessment Indicators Report, which was released in April 2014 as part of a 2012 Sitka Health Summit community wellness project. That data now is at least a decade old, so an update is needed for better community planning and food security.

The survey takes less than 10 minutes and the link can be found below and hard copies will be available at the Sitka Farmers Market and the Sitka Public Library. A link to the survey can be found at https://forms.gle/LGWTYRT6XsdgLCgaA, or you can scan the QR code on the flier above. Please submit your surveys before Saturday, Oct. 21 (NOTE: The deadline for submitting surveys has been extended to Tuesday, Oct. 31.).

Questions or concerns? Please contact Callie Simmons at sitkafoodassessment@gmail.com. This update is being coordinated by Transition Sitka, the Sitka Local Foods Network, and the Sitka Community Food Assessment.

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Kayaaní Commission to host hybrid in-person and remote meeting on Monday, Aug. 28

Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaaní Commission will be holding an open meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 28. This will be a hybrid meeting, so you can attend in person at the STA office at 204 Siginaka Way or via Zoom. The public is invited to attend.

The Kayaaní Commission is a group of knowledgeable community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they use.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in harvesting plants and in learning about ways to uplift traditional harvesting practices, please attend.

For info and a meeting link, contact Megan Wright at megan.wright@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or 907-747-7111.

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UAF Cooperative Extension Service to host ‘Sitka Salmonganza’ classes on using salmon

SitkaSalmonganza

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will host its “Sitka Salmonganza” on Sunday through Tuesday, July 30 to Aug. 1, at various locations in Sitka.

Classes about how to use and preserve will be taught by Sarah Lewis, a Juneau-based Cooperative Extension agent. Preregistration is requested so we have enough ingredients and supplies for everyone. Register at https://bit.ly/salmonganza

Sunday, July 30, 1-7 p.m. Salmon Social: Sitkaʼs summer parties require salmon and salmonberries. In this hands-on workshop you will learn to safely pressure can salmon and waterbath can berry syrup. Youʼll also learn ways to use canned salmon for party dishes and make salmonberry soda. All experience levels welcome, all ingredients and supplies included. Sitka Lutheran Church kitchen (224 Lincoln St., enter from back of church but use street parking), Fee: $35 per person. Free for Southeast tribe members and youth under 16 (attending with an adult).

Monday, July 31, Noon-1 p.m. Salmon Nutrition: Discover the healing benefits and uses of salmon, seeds, and oils. The discussion will include a variety of topics including inflammation, omega fatty acids, and cooking oils. We will be using videoconferencing technology to tie-in instructor Audra Henderson but meet as a group in person. Sitka’s Harrigan Centennial Hall. Free.

Monday, July 31, 5-7 p.m. Family Meals with Canned Salmon: In this hands-on workshop you will learn to cook creative family dishes with delicious and healthy canned salmon. All ages and experience levels welcome, all ingredients and supplies included. Blatchley Middle School Home Ec Room. Fee: $20 per person. Free for Southeast tribe members and youth under 16 (attending with an adult).

Tuesday, Aug. 1, Noon-1 p.m. Smoking and Canning Salmon Basics: In this class you will learn basic techniques for smoking fish at home and how to safely pressure can it for delicious meals all year. Sitka Public Library. Free.

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 5-7 p.m. Saucy Pickled Salmon: In this hands-on workshop, you will learn how to pickle fish and make a few sauces. Impress your friends and family this summer with fancy fish dishes, no need to tell them how easy it was! Blatchley Middle School Home Ec Room. Fee: $20 per person. Free for Southeast tribe members and youth under 16 (attending with an adult).

For more information, contact Sarah Lewis at sarah.lewis@alaska.edu or call 907-455-2010.

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Kayaaní Commission to host July 31 open meeting and Aug. 2 annual meeting and potluck

Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Kayaaní Commission will be holding an open meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, July 31. This will be a hybrid meeting, so you can attend in person at the STA office at 204 Siginaka Way or via Zoom. The public is invited to attend.

In addition, the Kayanní Commission will host its annual meeting and potluck from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. This event is open to all, and everyone is encouraged to bring a local dish to share.

The Kayaaní Commission is a group of knowledgeable community members and tribal citizens who are concerned with preserving and protecting plants and the traditional ways they use.

Questions, please contact Megan Wright at Megan.Wright@sitkatribe-nsn.gov or call 907-747-7111.

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Sitka-based fishing group, Bristol Bay community members collect more than 5,000 pounds of donated salmon for Yukon and Chignik communities 

Cody Larson of Bristol Bay Native Association and Sitka’s Ben Blakey of Northline Seafoods show some of the donated salmon to Dillingham children. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association (ALFA).

DILLINGHAM, Alaska — In June, Dillingham-area residents harvested and collected more than 5,000 pounds of subsistence-caught sockeye salmon that will be distributed to families in the Yukon and Chignik river areas unable to harvest their own local salmon due to low salmon returns.

The salmon donation was coordinated through the Sitka-based Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association’s (ALFA) Seafood Distribution Network with the help of local partners, including Northline Seafoods, Bristol Bay Native Association, Grant Aviation, and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

In June, before Bristol Bay’s commercial fishery opened, local Dillingham residents helped ALFA collect subsistence salmon from families who were fishing at Dillingham’s Kanakanak Beach. Sitka-based Northline Seafoods — a new seafood processor in Bristol Bay that specializes in processing and freezing whole fish — helped oversee the cleaning and freezing of the salmon. The salmon was frozen whole in response to requests from Yukon and Chignik communities for whole fish so that they could fully use the salmon and practice their food traditions. In addition, each salmon was labeled with the name of the family that donated it.

In the coming weeks, Grant Aviation will help fly the salmon to Yukon and Chignik villages, including Alakanuk, Pitkas Point, Saint Mary’s, Chignik Lagoon, and Chignik Bay. The fish will also be used by the Yukon River Drainage Fishermen’s Association Educational Exchange program where several youth will travel to communities on the Yukon and share their experiences around salmon.

“This salmon donation project was a bit of an experiment for us; we didn’t know how many people would be willing to contribute a portion of their subsistence harvest for families that they didn’t know. When people heard that we were collecting salmon for the Yukon and Chigniks, they jumped at the chance to contribute and help other Alaskans — especially those who depend on subsistence for their diet and culture. We were thrilled by the positive responses and were able to collect our target of 5,000 pounds of salmon much quicker than anticipated,” said Natalie Sattler, program director for the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “We couldn’t have done it without the generous support of our partners, especially Bristol Bay Native Association, Grant Aviation, and Northline Seafoods.”

“Our company was first approached in 2020 to help address the growing shortage of salmon in Alaska’s rural communities and have been involved in the Seafood Distribution Network ever since. Making sure local Alaskans have access to high quality seafood is incredibly important to us and we are committed to supporting the Network’s ongoing efforts to build the infrastructure and distribution systems needed to improve the resiliency and sustainability of Alaska’s local food system,” CEO of Northline Seafoods Ben Blakey said. 

“At a time when so many communities are struggling with low salmon returns and facing another summer of empty smokehouses and freezers, I am filled with hope to see local, grassroots efforts like this salmon donation project in Dillingham. This project not only embodies what subsistence is all about, but it is also an example of Alaskans at their best: sharing and taking care of each other during times of need. Low salmon abundance is an issue that needs to be addressed at every level, from the federal government down to individual communities, and efforts like this are an important piece of that larger goal, ” Alaska U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola said.

The Seafood Distribution Network emerged through ALFA’s Seafood Donation Program, which was started in March 2020 in response to COVID-19 and its impacts on local fisheries and families. Since then, ALFA’s Seafood Donation Program has provided more than 645,000 donated Alaska seafood meals to families experiencing food insecurity in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

With funding from the USDA, ALFA is currently undergoing a Regional Food System Partnership planning process in which it will develop a more long-term plan for the Seafood Distribution Network and future seafood donation efforts.

• Seabank, the 2022 annual report of the Alaska Sustainable Fisheries Trust

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Sitka Tribe of Alaska to host Little Clam Camp on July 10-13

The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Resource Protection Department will host its Little Clam Camp so youth can learn more about Tlingít culture this summer. The camp takes place from 1-4:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, July 10-13, at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

During the camp, youth in grades kindergarten through fifth grade will take part in a wide variety of engaging activities, from learning how to identify different species of shellfish in Tlingít, to nature walks, and even hands-on art lessons.

For more information, contact the STA Resource Protection Department or register at jacob.kohlhoff@sitkatribe-nsn.gov.