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Food Security Initiative

Strengthening community food sovereignty, local food production, and traditional subsistence harvesting in Tyonek.

Food Security Initiative

Food Security Infrastructure Map

Tyonek Farm high tunnels, fish processing facilities, and elder food distribution sites.

🗓️ Chronological Field Progress (2012–2026):
Culverts: 15 Habitat Reconnected: 61.1 Miles Lakes Opened: 590+ Acres
2012 2026 2026

Building Food Sovereignty in Remote Alaska

Tyonek is a remote, off-the-road-system Native village accessible primarily by air or water across Cook Inlet. Traditional food security relies heavily on both wild subsistence resources (salmon, moose, berries) and locally grown agricultural produce to reduce dependency on expensive air-freighted groceries.

Program Goals

  • Increase Fresh Produce Access: Expand high tunnel and hydroponic production to provide fresh vegetables year-round.
  • Support Traditional Subsistence: Protect wild salmon streams, promote traditional food preservation, and share traditional knowledge across generations.
  • Build Community Capacity: Employ local youth through the Tebughna Youth Conservation Squad (TYCS) to work on the farm and learn agricultural skills.
Tribal Food Sovereignty

✈️ Tyonek Food Sovereignty Air-Freight Savings Calculator

Compare local produce grown at Tyonek Farm vs. air-freighted grocery costs flown across Cook Inlet from Anchorage.

Annual District Community Savings

$64,935 Saved Annually in Air Freight & Retail Costs
Annual Local Harvest Weight: 35,100 lbs
Direct Air Freight Charges Avoided: $64,935.00
Carbon Footprint Offset: 14.2 Metric Tons CO₂
Tyonek Kitchen & Culture

🥗 Tyonek Grown & Traditional Alaskan Recipes

Nutrition guides and printable recipe cards created by TTCD staff and elders for cooking fresh garden produce and wild subsistence salmon.

Traditional Salmon ⏱️ 25 Mins

Tyonek Salmon Zucchini Kabobs

Ingredients:
  • Fresh wild Coho salmon cubes
  • Garden zucchini slices
  • Garden bell peppers
  • Olive oil & garlic powder

Instructions: Thread salmon cubes and fresh Tyonek garden zucchini onto skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes until salmon flakingly tender.

Produce ⏱️ 15 Mins

Alaskan Fiddlehead Fern Saute

Ingredients:
  • Freshly harvested ostrich fiddlehead ferns
  • Butter or oil
  • Minced garlic
  • Lemon juice & sea salt

Instructions: Rinse fiddleheads thoroughly and trim brown ends. Boil for 10 minutes, then sauté in butter and garlic for 5 minutes until tender.

Produce ⏱️ 40 Mins

Tyonek Grown Roasted Beets & Carrots

Ingredients:
  • Tyonek garden beets, peeled & diced
  • Fresh garden carrots
  • Avocado oil
  • Wild herbs

Instructions: Toss diced beets and carrots in oil and herbs. Roast at 400°F for 35 minutes until caramelized and tender.

Produce ⏱️ 15 Mins

Kohlrabi & Cabbage Garden Coleslaw

Ingredients:
  • Grated Tyonek garden kohlrabi
  • Shredded green cabbage
  • Greek yogurt or mayo dressing
  • Apple cider vinegar

Instructions: Julienne fresh kohlrabi and cabbage. Whisk dressing ingredients and toss together for a crisp, nutrient-rich summer slaw.

Preservation ⏱️ 45 Mins

Wild Alaskan Berry Jam & Rhubarb Syrup

Ingredients:
  • Harvested wild salmonberries or rhubarb
  • Pectin
  • Organic cane sugar
  • Lemon juice

Instructions: Simmer crushed berries or rhubarb with sugar and pectin. Process in water bath cans for long-term winter shelf storage.