Improving Access to Alaska's Traditional Foods in Institutional and Non-Profit settings

Background: Alaska’s traditional foods have been shown to benefit health, but complex interactions between federal, state, and local food service regulations create barriers for institutional and non-profit settings. Many institutions avoid the inclusion of Alaska’s traditional foods due to complex policy regulations. In order to address this issue, collaboration between the National Resource Center for AI, AN, and NH Elders, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and other agencies are leading to the development of various resources and a toolkit to clarify food policies and regulation adherence.  This enables institutions and non-profits to confidently include Alaska’s traditional foods in meals armed with the knowledge that federal and state policies are correctly followed. By clarifying the food policy regulations, the health of both Alaska Native and non-Native clients is enhanced through the tools developed by this collaboration. Alaska’s model will be used to inform other tribes in the US.

Methods: Collaboration between the National Resource Center for NA, AN, and NH Elders, the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and other agencies will develop a toolkit to clarify how to best include Alaska’s traditional foods in meals and remain in compliance with federal, state, and local food policies.

Conclusions: Institutions, non-profits, and Older Americans Act Title VI and Title III programs will be able to include Alaska’s traditional foods in meals with the knowledge they are in compliance with federal, state, and local food policies.