Monday, March 11, 2013, Juneau, Alaska – The Alaska House of Representatives today passed a resolution to emphasize and increase local food production and use.

House Concurrent Resolution 1, sponsored by House Finance Committee Co-Chair Bill Stoltze, R-Mat-Su/Chugiak, calls on the Governor to establish a state food resource development working group that would bring together representatives from state departments to identify resources and set policies to build a strong, sustainable and local healthy food system.

“There was a time when more than 50 percent of the food consumed in Alaska was grown right here in our state,” Stoltze said. “Today that number is down around five percent, and that needs to change. HCR 1 directs state agencies to work together to increase the development and use of Alaska grown and harvested food. There is no reason Alaska cannot produce more locally grown food for consumption in Alaska, by Alaskans.”

HCR 1 now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.