By Leslie Shallcross
The national Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has deemed the month of March as National Nutrition Month.
The rapidly returning daylight is promising that, in spite of the still solidly snow-covered ground, summer will return. Many Alaskans begin planning and planting indoors in anticipation of summer gardening and their chickens may be laying more eggs.
Locally, nationally and internationally, discussions about nutrition are no longer just about specific nutrients — you can’t get the nutrients without a sustainable, secure food supply. Our choices, about what we buy or harvest have implications for our health, the health of the environment and the entire food system. In the following article, the Alaska Department of Health took on the task of sharing the 2024 theme of National Nutrition Month with some Alaska-specific suggestions for thinking “Beyond the Table.”
Many of us have heard that Alaska imports about 95% of all food purchased. Before food reaches Alaska tables, it has to be raised, caught or grown, and in many cases shipped long distances.
Alaska’s harsh growing conditions and transportation challenges often lead to high store prices and limited produce year-round. Despite these challenges, Alaskans are lucky enough to be surrounded by plentiful lands and waters. Making intentional choices about your food before it reaches your table can help improve the health of you, your community, our local economy, and the environment.
Tips for local purchasing and harvesting
• Support local initiatives: If you are able, purchase from a local business or even a neighbor. If every household in Alaska spends only $5 per week on Alaska Grown products, it would generate $33 million of in-state revenue in six months. www.buyalaskagrown.com
• Financial resources are available: Programs like Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help to offset the cost of local foods. Programs like “Double Bucks” are for low-income Alaskans to shop at Alaska farmers markets www.alaskafarmersmarkets.org/food-access-and-food-assistance-programs.
• Harvest local: Hunt, fish, gather, or grow food that you have access to.
• Processing or preserving your own foods to enjoy year-round: To learn how, check out UAF Cooperative Extension at www.uaf.edu/ces.
• Share or swap with your community: Not everyone will be able to locally harvest all the food that they need. Consider sharing or swapping if you have plenty of one kind and add variety to your stored foods.
• Limited options? Local foods are not always available year-round or may not be affordable. Enjoy a variety of canned, fresh and frozen produce, meats, dried goods and more to round out your diet.
Hunt, fish, gather and grow
• Local harvesting protects against chronic diseases
• Provides spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health
• Provides many nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and more
• Promotes healthy physical fitness and movement
• Builds connection with culture, community and nature
Follow ethical harvesting guidelines
• Be a good steward of the land, sea, and air — practice mutual respect and leave no trace
• Respect Indigenous knowledge and food systems
• Always learn to identify, harvest, and preserve wild plants with an Elder, traditional healer, or plant expert — honor and respect your teachers and Elders
• Harvest safely — positively identify a plant 100% before harvesting or utilizing it
• Harvest thoughtfully and never take more than you need — it’s a good practice to only take 10-20% of one plant or grouping of plants
• Ask for permission to harvest from the land owner
Leslie Shallcross is a registered dietitian and the Tanana District health, home and family development agent for Cooperative Extension Service, a part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. She can be reached at 907-474-2426 or lashallcross@alaska.edu.
