Our partners work to forge resilient food systems that decrease dependence on outside sources, spark food-based business startups and improve household and community health. Our shared vision for a regional food system includes a reliable supply of wild foods, thriving agricultural enterprises, and improved access to fresh and nutritious foods for all residents across our region.
Featured Work
Check out some of our ongoing food projects across Southeast Alaska.
Southeast Alaska Traditional Plants Summit and Celebration
We invite you to this virtual gathering that will bring together Alaska Native plant harvesters from around Southeast Alaska to learn, appreciate, and connect to each other to celebrate traditional edible and medicinal plants and to discuss respectful harvesting guidelines, protocols, and best practices to share their with their communities. The summit will also include plant videos, and a food sovereignty showcase of projects from around Southeast.
SEAK Local Foods Challenge
The Southeast Alaska Watershed Council, Sitka Conservation Society and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium have come together to host and promote a region wide local foods challenge that encourages us to step up our involvement and support one another in the process. For stories, resources, and opportunities to get involved see below.
Meet Moby the Mobile Greenhouse
Each year Moby will travel to a different Southeast Alaskan community where it will live for a whole growing season, starting March or April through September or October. The greenhouse will be delivered equipped with soil, a teacher guide, and an activity manual for grades K-12. The recipient will be responsible for providing seeds to plant and will be chosen based on their commitment and readiness. Moby is a project of the Southeast Alaska Watershed Coalition and the Sustainable Southeast Partnership.
Salt and Soil Marketplace
The Salt & Soil Marketplace connects Southeast Alaska food consumers with growers, fishermen, foragers, and gardeners through a community marketplace that merges the best of online and real-time shopping. The Marketplace helps support local economies, keeps food dollars within the region and provides high quality local foods, helping Southeast Alaska be more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous. The Market currently has distribution sites in Haines and Juneau, and features vegetable producers, value added products, seafood, and crafts from all over the region.
Biomass Heated Greenhouse Handbook
Pairing a greenhouse with a wood heating system can benefit communities by improving nutrition, lowering energy costs, and providing local employment opportunities. That is why the U.S. Forest Service and the Alaska Energy Authority have partnered to fund Alaska Biomass Heated Greenhouse Handbook. The Sustainable Southeast Partnership and the Southeast Island School District helped write the handbook, which showcases the successful biomass heated greenhouse projects on Prince of Wales Island. This comprehensive handbook is a free resource available to schools and anyone interested in building a biomass heated greenhouse locally.
To request a hard copy, email SSP Energy Catalyst Shaina at s.kilcoyne@realaska.org or SSP Local Food Catalyst Lia at growsoutheast@gmail.com. School and community leaders will be prioritized for limited hard copies of the Handbook. Check out this presentation on Biomass heated greenhouses from Alaska Forum on the Environment 2018.
Sitka Kitch
The Sitka Kitch seeks to improve the community health by enhancing local food security. The Sitka Kitch will serve as a business incubator and community resource center by providing access to a certified commercial kitchen. This will allow small businesses to develop new products based on local fish and other resources. It will also be a community classroom where courses in nutrition, home economics, and food management, can be taught…
Recent Posts
Composting 101 with John Hudson
Compost/Recover Gardening can be a challenge in Southeast Alaska. Our cool and wet summers combined with nutrient poor soils makes it difficult to grow the beautiful flowers and vegetables pictured on seed packets. While it’s hard to change the weather, there’s an...
Southeast Alaska edible fungi—A top 5 for the new mycophile
Southeast Alaska edible fungi—A top 5 for the new mycophile By David Gregovich You are looking to put some wild Southeast Alaska mushrooms in the frying pan. But you don’t know where to start. Here’s a top 5 list of mushrooms that are relatively easy to...
Planning for a Colorful Tasty Container Garden
By Lisa Schramek Adams Somehow the fireweed is already tall and blooming signaling us that fall will be arriving before long. In my container garden, I’m dreaming about what I may do differently for next year. As an amateur gardener and I learn so much from...