We’re proud to share that Food Bank of Alaska has received Feeding America’s 2025 Network Celebration Award: Recognizing Excellence in Community.
This award was given in recognition of our work to expand policy advocacy and improve food access in remote and rural regions of Alaska. While our Meals to You program was featured, the honor reflects much more than one program. It celebrates the collective impact of our partners, staff, and supporters working across the state to meet people where they are.
Rural Alaska faces challenges that most of the country never has to consider. Many communities are only accessible by plane. Summer Food Service Program sites may not exist due to a lack of personnel and available venues. And during summer months, many families travel for Fish Camp, where children learn traditional subsistence practices like fishing, berry picking, and foraging, and are away from home for weeks at a time.
In response, we launched Meals to You Alaska, a demonstration project that allows families to receive nutritious, shelf-stable meals delivered straight to their doors. No pickups. No site visits. Just reliable food access, regardless of location.
This success would not have been possible without key partners.
- Baylor University led the original five-year pilot that created the foundation for this new child nutrition model. Their work made it possible for states like Alaska to adapt and expand the program.
- The Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) provided essential support to implement the program at the state level, helping us navigate compliance and coordination.
- McLane Hunger Solutions, a trusted national hunger relief distributor, managed the complex logistics to get food to families efficiently.
- Rural school district staff played a critical role by verifying student eligibility and helping us reach families in their own communities.
As a result of this collaboration, summer meal distribution in Alaska tripled in one year. We went from 200,000 meals to nearly a million meals. Families in over 30 communities received the support they needed to keep their children nourished through the summer.
We are honored by this recognition from Feeding America. The Network Celebration Award is a reminder of what is possible when we focus on equity, listen to our communities, and lead with partnership.
To every person and organization who made this possible, thank you. This award belongs to all of us.
