As someone still new to food banking, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into the fly-in, or even who I would meet. What I walked away with was something much bigger: a deeper understanding of food security in Alaska and a real appreciation for the people who show up every day to make sure our communities stay fed, healthy, and supported.
You might be wondering, “What is a fly-in, exactly?” or, “What happens when a group of passionate anti-hunger advocates shows up at the state capitol?” I had the same questions.
Going in, I wasn’t sure what to expect or how I would fit into a group of people, many of whom have been championing food security for decades. I chose to lead with curiosity and found myself welcomed into a coalition deeply committed to creating real change.
At its core, it’s when advocates from across the state travel to the Capitol to meet directly with lawmakers about policies that impact their communities. But that definition only scratches the surface. The conversations, the stories from every corner of Alaska, and the shared determination to strengthen food security make the experience far more meaningful than a simple explanation can capture.
Before the real work began, I had the chance to connect with AFC members before I even stepped off the plane. They moved with the cadence of old friends, even toward newbies like me, and I was instantly put at ease despite the shuffle of airport shuttles and the busy hotel concierge.
I also took some time to walk around beautiful downtown Juneau, and the misty mountains, and admittedly warmer weather, had me feeling refreshed and excited about the week ahead.
The Alaska State Capitol building sits in the heart of downtown Juneau, with towering mountains and a view of the Gastineau Channel.
I met up with some colleagues that evening to discuss our talking points and legislative priorities for the week. Our top priorities were clear:
The groundwork continued at the Alaska Food Coalition meet and greet, where I was able to connect further with the people I would be advocating alongside throughout the week. Getting the chance to settle in and get acquainted was the perfect way to begin the fly-in.
Throughout the week, I had the chance to witness various industries and communities coming together to form a unified message to share with our legislators. Before we could meet with policymakers to share our priorities, it was important that everyone had the chance to share and hear multiple stories and perspectives about how those priorities were affecting the real people we work with every day.
Alaska Food Coalition members discuss talking points and share stories in preparation for meetings with legislators.
The group also took time to share some pearls of wisdom, which I especially appreciated. Here are a few of the things that helped orient me going into the week:
Multiple speakers joined our meeting to help set the stage for the current legislative session and what to expect during our time at the Capitol. It was incredible not only to hear from advocacy leaders, but to connect with them one on one.
Ellen Teller, Chief Government Affairs Officer at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), stood out as she spoke about how federal policy shapes local action and how the Alaska Food Coalition can turn shared goals into meaningful policy wins. She has been a longtime supporter of the coalition, and even as a first-time attendee, I could see how her knowledge and passion shaped our time in Juneau.
While the week included thoughtful preparation, one thing became clear: advocacy doesn’t begin or end with Food Security Week. Members of the Alaska Food Coalition and their organizations are doing this work year-round, strengthening food access across Alaska and helping communities prepare for times of crisis.
Advocacy in Action
Then came the main event: walking the Capitol halls and meeting directly with legislators.
Even with all the preparation and support from Alaska Food Coalition members, I was still nervous. But I stuck with curiosity and leaned into the opportunity to see the policymaking process up close.
Legislators run on tight schedules, and each meeting is typically just 15 to 20 minutes. Here’s what it looked like in real time:
I had the opportunity to meet with Representative Mina and Representative Hall of Anchorage, both longtime supporters of Food Bank of Alaska. What stood out most was the level of care and attention they brought to each conversation. Those conversations reinforced just how important it is to keep showing up for the issues that matter to our communities.
Two colleagues from Food Bank of Alaska and I following our conversation with Anchorage Representative Carolyn Hall.
Though I let my fellow coalition members do most of the talking this time around, and was happy to be the designated timekeeper, I did take the opportunity to share a little bit about what I had noticed during my time at Food Bank of Alaska. Even that filled me with a sense of accomplishment.
If you care about policy or want to better understand how change happens, this is an experience I would absolutely recommend.
Some coalition members moved through five or six meetings in a single day, and conversations didn’t stop when meetings ended. People connected in hallways, on the Capitol steps, comparing notes and sharing updates in real time. Despite the gloomy weather, the energy never dropped. The passion for this work carried through every conversation and every corner of the Capitol.
Despite everything I learned throughout the week, the policy deep dives, the legislative meetings, and the behind-the-scenes look at how advocacy moves things forward, the part of my first fly-in experience that stayed with me most was the people. The conversations I had in Juneau were a reminder that this work is carried by a network of Alaskans whose experiences are as varied as the state itself.
Everyone who showed up to support our priorities brought their own expertise and lived perspective. I met people who restore clean water systems in Western Alaska, local farmers strengthening food access close to home, social workers supporting families through crisis, and community representatives who understand the nuances of their regions better than anyone. Their day-to-day work looks different from mine, but we are all connected by a shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of Alaskans.
Throughout the week, people trusted me with stories about what food insecurity looks like where they live. No two stories were the same. Geography, climate, culture, transportation, and industry all shape each community’s unique challenges and strengths. Hearing these firsthand accounts was a powerful reminder of just how unique Alaska is, and how essential it is that we approach solutions with collaboration and unity.
Alaska Food Coalition members gather to celebrate 30 years of fighting hunger as a coalition.
These conversations grounded the policy work in real lives and real places. They reminded me that advocacy is not just about priorities on paper, but about people showing up for one another across vast distances, different backgrounds, and shared hopes for a healthier, more food-secure Alaska.
It also deepened my understanding of how Food Bank of Alaska’s work connects to a much larger network of advocacy, partnership, and policy across the state.
Check out our Instagram for interviews and more from coalition members: https://www.instagram.com/foodbankofalaska/reels/