Food Bank of Alaska Launches Statewide Food is Medicine Initiative

Food Bank of Alaska is proud to announce the launch of a statewide initiative to strengthen nutrition security and public health outcomes.

In many parts of the state, high food costs, limited access, and rising rates of chronic disease make it difficult for families to get the nourishment they need.

This launch builds on more than a decade of work to make fresh produce and nutrition support more available in communities across the state.

Food is Medicine programs integrate healthy food into medical care. They support people with chronic conditions by offering produce prescriptions, vouchers, or meal support. These programs are gaining momentum nationwide as healthcare and public health leaders seek ways to improve outcomes and reduce costs—particularly in areas with limited access to nutritious food.

Food Bank of Alaska is convening healthcare providers, Tribal health organizations, public agencies, farmers, food access groups, and Alaskans with lived experience to expand the reach and impact of these programs statewide.

The goal: make nutrition support more accessible, more widely understood, and more effective in improving health outcomes across Alaska.

“This is a transformational opportunity to better understand and offer access to nutritious foods across the state,” said Rachael Miller, Chief Advocacy Officer at Food Bank of Alaska and project lead.

Key activities include:

• A statewide assessment of existing produce incentive and Food is Medicine programs
• Formation of a cross-sector coalition
• Creation of Alaska-specific training and technical assistance for clinics and community organizations

This effort is a partnership with the Alaska Department of Health and continues Food Bank of Alaska’s long-standing role in advancing statewide food access solutions.

Learn more and get involved:

Rachael Miller
Chief Advocacy Officer 

Food Bank of Alaska 
907-272-FOOD (3663) 
rmiller@foodbankofalaska.org