Food & Community In Denali
Our Mission
Food insecurity has continued to increase in Denali Borough, and while we cannot address all of these issues at once, our goal is to target the children of our community with this support. Food insecurity in schools causes disruption not only to the climate and culture of our community, but it has other follow-on impacts affecting the school district itself, such as attendance.
Our non-profit will provide a comprehensive and sustainable operation for Denali Borough's School breakfast and lunch program, with a focus on providing nutritious, well-balanced meals to students with no financial burden placed on the district to initiate the program. In addition, our non-profit intends to offer vocational hospitality training for high school students.
Food security
Children from food-insecure households receive more of their food and nutrients from school meals.
A USDA, ERS-sponsored 2010 study found that children from food-insecure and marginally food-secure households received more of their food and nutrient intake from school meals than did other children.
Academic Performance
A 2021 report from the Brookings Institution analyzed the impact of a program that offered school-wide free meals and found an improvement in math performance (particularly among elementary and Hispanic students) at school districts where few previously qualified for free meals. Researchers also saw a significant reduction in suspensions among certain students.
Children who eat lunch and/or breakfast at school attend more school days*
Vocational Training
This program will train students for career opportunities in their own community.
Actual certifications will be core to the program, with students leaving having earned their Alaska Food Handlers Card and nationally used ServSafe Certification.
Health
Children who receive school meals are more likely to be food secure and in good health.
School meals can help reduce childhood obesity*
* according to a systematic review done by Maureen Spill, PhD. Published online at JAMA Network.