Image courtesy KXLN Univision 45
FAIRBANKS — In the ongoing mission of making Alaska and its remote communities ready to weather storms and disasters that would sever its ties to the Lower 48, the state is in the process of creating emergency food stashes in Fairbanks and Anchorage.
The state is in the final process of awarding a contract to stock large warehouses with enough food to feed 42,500 people for a week, an emergency management spokesman said.
Jeremy Zidek said stores of food are intended to be readily deployed from Fairbanks or Anchorage to feed disaster-struck communities as crews work to restore regular supply links.
“There are multiple points of failure in our logistics system, and we can prepare to replace and repair them quickly, but all of that takes time to establish,” he said. “Typically in the Lower 48, help can stream in from all different directions. Here it’s realistic to assume that we have to stand alone for a little bit longer.”
The stashes would have seven days of shelf-stable food that will be good for up to five years. The food would be a mixture of ready-to-eat meals and bulk food that would require some preparation. The food would meet cultural requirements and include salmon, though it’s less-than-delectable chum salmon.
The issue of food safety in Alaska has been an ongoing concern, and many officials estimate there’s just about a three-day supply of food on grocery store shelves.
Zidek said Alaska is particularly susceptible to disasters because it relies on just a few supply lines. About 90 percent of all commodities come through the Port of Anchorage.
“There’s a wide range of natural disasters, but also Alaska is in a situation where our supply lines are situated to be very important to the state,” he said.
When a Yukon road washed out last summer and the supply chain to the Lower 48 was interrupted, produce sections at local grocery dwindled to a few wilted heads of lettuce.
Zidek said food storage is just one element of the state’s ongoing efforts to prepare for storms. He said the state also has made strides to improve communication, power generation and water purification in case of disasters.
During the past few years, the state has purchased everything from small backpack communication units to sophisticated communications trailers to be deployed where they’re needed.
Despite the state’s strides, though, Zidek was adamant that Alaskans need to take steps to make sure their households are ready with water, food and other supplies to weather disasters.
“One thing that we always stress is that the state is preparing doesn’t mean people shouldn’t prepare on their own,” he said. “Have emergency preparedness kits put together. We’ll have the supplies to the people who are affected to the greatest degree, but people can take a few steps to weather the disaster in their home so they don’t have to go out in search of aid.”
Contact Fairbanks Daily News-Miner staff writer Matt Buxton at 907-459-7544 or follow him on Twitter: @FDNMpolitics.
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Marilyn Manson said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 11:14 AM
Beautiful People
108743505lol said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 11:40 AM
richy riches stashes you mean...lol...Parnell will send you cookies and a prayer right?
108745122dale houseman said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 12:17 PM
six pack of 'cup of noodles'$2.90, 300 calories per cup,50 cents each, easy to store, light weight,1800 calories per six pack, one 6 pack,one person,one day.
108747285TedtheBear said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 3:11 PM
After looking at the aftermath of Sandy, prepareness is something that cannot be under estimated. I got enough food and water to last me at least ten days. Even got a portable toilet with plastic bag, Coleman heater that works indoor, warm sleeping bag, tons of burning material and addition 20 days worth of freeze dried backpacking food plus cup of noodles. And water filters!! Radio! Wow, I can type forever!
108757625Rhonda said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 3:25 PM
The Alaskan prepper communitys are preparing as we have learned that Goovernment will never be there for you in any way shape or form..i have over two years of food put away as have many others through out the state. Most of the food Parnell has stocked I expect will be given out to those close to the city, natives so suggest strongly that folks rely on themselves and put food away
108758535Anonymous said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 3:48 PM
well most hunt and fish and have too much that they can't get rid of or goes freezer burn...so while that is well and good...I would stock more in gas and oil to heat water systems to grow food in the winter then worry about food... citizens can hunt,fish,grow,pick in alaska if they want to!
108759635Don said on Sunday, Dec 9 at 9:56 PM
Great to see there doing this but All Alaskan's should have enough food water and WARM! Clothing to survive In Alaska in January and February when it is the coldest here having enough food to feed 45,000 people is good but the Population Of are two biggest cities is way bigger then that and people need to take responsibility of there own survival.
108780295Jim Wherry, Fairbanks said on Monday, Dec 10 at 12:14 AM
This does remind me of my own short-comings for disaster-preparedness. I have been gone from Alaska for nearly 11 months. I do need to purchase a coleman lantern and fuel, as well as my own fuel heater. - Jim
108784785Native Hunter said on Monday, Dec 10 at 8:11 AM
Alaskan natives historically have stored enough food during summer to last through the harsh winter for thousands of years and still practice this tradition to this day. However, we are storing less traditional food then what we use to due to western food provided at local stores in which costs three to five times more than urban cities.
108808215chris said on Monday, Dec 10 at 7:25 PM
I think if you want to have the best storage food available you should try The Outdoor Trail food. GREAT FOOD. theoutdoortrail.com
108864402Gordon Hervey said on Thursday, Dec 13 at 1:55 AM
re: my query about the 44000 figure. Have just viewed this page quoting 42500 to feed in Anchorage. Be interested to see if the program expands. Thanks.
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