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Federal Money Incentive for Restaurants to Serve Local FoodAlaska Grown Restaurant Rewards Program helps local economyANCHORAGE - For restaurants, buying local can be expensive. The Division of Agriculture is making it more affordable with federal money. Over the past year it’s given out nearly $30,000 from a USDA Specialty Block Crop Grant to 32 restaurants participating in the Alaska Grown Restaurant Rewards Program. At the Spenard Roadhouse if the produce is in season in Alaska, chances are it’s on your plate. “We serve Alaska-grown as much as we can, regardless of the rebate program. But that was a great way for us to take another step and make a commitment,” said manager Aleks Pfaffe. The Spenard Roadhouse is one of only three businesses in Anchorage involved in the program. The Bear Tooth and Hott Stixx have also signed up for the rebates. Hott Stixx owner Mike Doge started as a sous chef at the Spenard Roadhouse and carried the "eat local" philosophy with him. “When I opened my own place, that was also my focus too, to really get the Alaskan-grown and Alaska focus. I'm Alaskan grown myself so that's even more of a reason to support local,” said Dodge. His restaurant was already hitting up local farmers’ markets on a regular basis and said it’s nice to be rewarded for supporting fellow Alaskans. “Having a higher price in delivery was really hurting our bottom line and so being able to compensate for that is helping us out,” said Dodge. If the Division of Agriculture gives out all $30,000 of the grant, that means participating restaurants will have spent more than $165,000 on locally grown produce. Next year the Division of Agriculture will have $35,000 to distribute. |
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Really said on Friday, Jan 25 at 7:41 PM
"more affordable with federal money" Should read "More affordable with taxpayer money. Also is this the reason local grown is so costly for the homeowner. Sounds like an unintended consequence.
112203031wouldn't mind said on Friday, Jan 25 at 9:01 PM
A 18% drop in local food costs myself. Whatever the cost to restaurants won't they pass it on to the consumer with or without the taxpayers money? Great to keep local farms working, but still costly in stores for consumers.
112206581BobD said on Friday, Jan 25 at 11:39 PM
WOW ! A rip-roaring $1000.00 for a whole year for each restuarant..Or less. C'mon start spending our tax money more responsibly..
112212355Anonymous said on Friday, Jan 25 at 11:54 PM
Considering the cost of transportation, I'm a bit puzzled by the relative high cost of local grown. Is it fuel to heat greenhouses? Electricity for grow lights? Maybe this is what we need to focus on- subsidies to grow locally cheaper, rather than subsidies to restaurants, which is likely less effective financially.
112212901I want said on Saturday, Jan 26 at 12:33 AM
$1000 in free veggies, Bob want to but me some?
112213845Alaska Needs said on Saturday, Jan 26 at 12:42 AM
More $13 a pound for carrots at the farmers markets, that will show us.
112214041ak chef said on Saturday, Jan 26 at 10:18 AM
The USDA money isn't very much(<20% of cost paid) which doesn't cover the additional cost of the produce when compared to the commercially oriented farms across the world. What it does is incentivize local businesses to support and grow local economy. Alaskans tend to think that if it isn't oil, fishing, or mining, the economy will be unaffected. True because our economic focus is narrowed by government incentives. The agriculture industry has beautiful opportunities for Alaskans and deserves some small support for growth. Local farms are one thing I would like to see not disappear in Alaska's future. I hope you agree.
112238236Matters little said on Saturday, Jan 26 at 12:21 PM
I doesn't matter what we think, they are taking the tax money either way.
112244781great said on Sunday, Jan 27 at 12:56 AM
farm subsidies and now restaurant subsidies paid for with taxes. So pay the farmer, pay the restaurant owner and pay the gov. Go local grown...................yah Suckers?
112272672Tom said on Sunday, Jan 27 at 11:35 AM
If one can't keep their business afloat then close the doors. There is no reason my tax dollars should go to any privately oned business for any reason. It shouldnt go to any business at all even the non profit which is an oxymoron.The US Government is totally out of control.Remember the storm Sandy? Who put the attachment for 120 million dollars on it for the Alaska Fisheries? Could have only been Begich or LEISA.
112300662your tax dollars at work said on Sunday, Jan 27 at 5:30 PM
The tax collectors have to put thwie nose in everybody's business.
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