Current Projects
Food Hub Feasibility Study
Complete a study for a new intermediary food aggregator. Analyzes market potential, capacity, partners and impact on economic development in the region.
Food Hub Business Plan
Determine the optimal business model based on needs across the local food value chain, assess a regional hub’s financial viability, build capacity for local growers.
Food Hub Operational Plan
Operationalizes the food hub based on study outcomes — build-out of warehousing, freight consolidation services, resources for technical assistance and other food safety certifications.
Farmers Market or CSA Feasibility Study
Complete a study to assess the long-term, year-round capability of a direct-to-consumer marketplace for food products. Will evaluate online and brick-and-mortar opportunities.
KAPA is a non-profit designed to encourage the growth of a local food economy in a geographically isolated, rural, and low income/low food access community.
Ketchikan, Alaska is a food desert. Located on beautiful Revillagigedo Island in Southeast Alaska, 95% of our food supply is imported via sea barge. Despite the unique challenges that this region brings agricultural producers, several are working to create food security and economic opportunity through agricultural development. But the deck is sorely stacked against these producers.
Alongside the difficulties that face any farmer, rancher, or value-added producer, these businesses also must grapple with supply issues, high freight costs, and the logistical challenges associated with producing in a region that has no road system connected to a larger community.
KAPA seeks to change that. By creating a hub for any current or prospective producers in this region, we seek to provide services that lower the barrier to entry for farmers, ranchers, and value-added producers. These services will include, at a minimum:
- Freight Consolidation Services – for packaging, equipment, or other supplies that must be sourced from outside Alaska, KAPA will work with freight consolidators in Seattle to combine orders across member producers and reduce shipping costs
- Materials Storage – Warehousing and refrigerated/frozen storage services will be provided to store finished goods, input materials, packaging, or equipment for member producers
- Educational Resources and Consulting Services – for upskilling and knowledge on the following topics, and more as needs are uncovered: