Rasmuson Foundation Grant Expands Food Bank of Alaska’s Transportation Fleet

Moving food across Alaska requires a reliable fleet. Thanks to a generous $200,000 grant from Rasmuson Foundation, Food Bank of Alaska has added a new refrigerated tractor and trailer, with a new transit van on the way.

In Alaska, Distance Matters

For many people, food insecurity is measured in empty cupboards or difficult choices at the grocery store. In Alaska, it is also measured in miles.

Food travels from our Anchorage warehouse across one of the largest and most geographically challenging service areas in the country. Acquiring nutritious food is only part of the work. It must also be stored safely and transported reliably to communities throughout the state.

Fresh produce, dairy products, meat, and other perishable foods depend on refrigerated transportation to arrive safely and ready for distribution.

More Capacity and More Reliable Deliveries

Our new tractor and refrigerated trailer will increase the amount of fresh and frozen food we can transport while improving the reliability of deliveries throughout our partner network.

The new transit van will provide additional flexibility for local food pickups, donor partnerships, and community distributions.

For our partner agencies, these vehicles mean more dependable deliveries and greater access to nutritious food. They also help reduce the transportation burden on organizations with limited resources.

For the Alaskans they serve, it means more consistent access to food closer to home.

"Every mile traveled helps connect more Alaskans with the food they need."
- Cara Durr, Chief Executive Officer at Food Bank of Alaska

Meet Tractor Kelce and Trailer Swift ✨💖

Welcoming new members to the Food Bank of Alaska fleet called for a little celebration. 🎉

With a playful nod to one of pop culture’s most talked-about couples, our team officially introduced the new tractor and trailer as Tractor Kelce and Trailer Swift during a lighthearted christening on July 10.

The celebration included flowers, plenty of fanfare, and a sabered bottle of cava.

They may not be embarking on a world tour, but Tractor Kelce and Trailer Swift are preparing to travel plenty of miles on Alaska’s roads, helping move food where it is needed most.

The fun is not over yet. A new Food Bank of Alaska transit van will soon join the fleet, and we look forward to revealing its name when it arrives.

Want to help keep Food Bank of Alaska moving? Shop our gift registry for items our team needs: https://a.co/05L3SFHA

Fun Names. Serious Work.

The names may bring a smile, but these vehicles will support serious work.

Truck wrap designed by Food Bank of Alaska and installed by PIP Printing.

Every trip represents more food reaching communities and stronger support for our partner agencies. It also means greater access to nutritious food for Alaskans.

We are deeply grateful to Rasmuson Foundation for investing in the infrastructure that makes our statewide mission possible. Their partnership will help Food Bank of Alaska continue moving food safely and responding to community needs across the state.

"Reliable transportation helps turn donated food into dependable access for communities across Alaska."
- Frank Kelly, Chief Operating Officer at Food Bank of Alaska