KETCHIKAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS ASSOCIATION - KETCHIKAN, AK

CREATING FOOD SECURITY VIA A FOOD HUB IN RURAL-REMOTE ALASKA

FEASIBILITY AND VIABILITY, INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING | 2021 - 2023

Located on a beautiful island in Southeast Alaska, Ketchikan used to produce all of its own food out of necessity, but today it imports 95% of its food supply via sea barge. The Ketchikan Agricultural Producers Association (KAPA) is working to change that, creating local food security and economic opportunity through the creation of a food hub. The KAPA Food Hub will become home to mariculture businesses focusing on, for example, kelp and sea cucumber processing, and land-based agricultural businesses focusing on products such as hydroponically-grown greens. Food Works Group (FWG) has engaged with KAPA to size and characterize the market and determine the best business model for the hub. With these findings, FWG worked with KAPA to build out a business plan laying out the mission, vision, sales and distribution channels, and financial requirements for the hub, as well as an operational plan to build-out, certify, staff, and launch the facility. Findings were shared with other rural communities in island-bound Alaska to support the creation of a network of hubs throughout the region.

KAPA FOOD HUB DEVELOPMENT

FUNDRAISING & RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION, INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING | 2024

Ketchikan Agricultural Producers Association (KAPA) has re-engaged Food Works Group (FWG) to continue to support the development of a food hub in Ketchikan, Alaska. FWG is assisting KAPA with financial planning, business planning, and site selection to move the project into the implementation and construction phase. FWG is responsible for project management during this phase and for and writing grants to support KAPA, including the Local Food Promotion Program (LFPP) implementation grant.