Current Projects
Needs Assessment &
Food Hub Feasibility Study
In July 2023, KAPA completed a needs assessment for the Ketchikan, Prince of Wales, and Annette Island Region. This study also analyzed the market potential, capacity, partners and impact of a food hub in the region promoting economic development.
Food Hub Business Plan &
Financial Model
In July 2023, KAPA determined the optimal business model based on needs, assessed a regional hub’s financial viability, and built a robust financial modeling tool to ensure appropriate financial planning takes place for the construction of the food hub.
Food Hub Operational Plan
In October of 2023, KAPA will commence a project to operationalize a food hub based on study outcomes — site selection, funding strategy, architecture plans, key function refinement, utilization, and demand planning.
Food Hub Construction
Build a state-of-the-art food hub facility in Ketchikan, AK to serve as the hub location for additional “spoke” mini-hubs throughout the Southern Alexander Archipelago.
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: