The Alaska State Legislature is currently in the midst of passing a resolution to request that the governor establish a state food resource development working group within the state. This has brought to light many issues regarding the absence of local foods in Alaska. For example, in 2007, only 5 percent of the food consumed in Alaska was produced within the state, allowing $1,425,000,000 to leave the state economy, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, and to be spent on foods which were seriously lacking in the nutritional value which local foods provide.

It is obvious that local food issues out to be examined more thoroughly, and I encourage the Legislature and the general public to work toward the development of this invaluable natural resource.

Justice Sky