Food entrepreneurs of the Circumpolar North are some of the most innovative around, but they often bump up against challenges in business plan development, finding investors, scaling up, permitting, and supply chain logistics that can be unique to northern latitudes. The Foodpreneurship initiative is focused on providing expert guidance, making connections, and helping to incubate the next great food idea.
Foodpreneur Quarterly Meet-Ups
In Summer 2019, FRESH co-sponsored the annual conference for the Association for the Study of Food and Society (ASFS) and the Agriculture, Food, and Human Values Society (AFHVS), led by the UAA Department of Sociology. An outcome of the conference panel entitled “Growing Foodpreneurs: Lessons Learned from Real World Food Startups”, in direct response to suggestions by local food entrepreneur panel participants, was the creation of a Quarterly Foodpreneur Meet-Up series. The series is slated to begin in Fall 2019, rotate locations, and will provide a relaxed and supportive environment for food entrepreneurs to network, exchange lessons learned, explore opportunities for mutually beneficial collaboration, and hear from topical speakers. If you are a food entrepreneur and would like to join in these meet-ups, contact FRESH at freshnorthproject@gmail.com.
Graduate Studies in Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Alaska Pacific University (APU) offers a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. FRESH can assist students in crafting a program of study focused on foodpreneurship and food innovations. Contact Rachael Miller at remiller@alaskapacific.edu for more information.
Accelerate: Alaska — Food Systems Track
September 19 & 20, 2019: Over 300 business owners, managers, leaders, politicians, change agents, and entrepreneurs converge in Anchorage, Alaska for the Accelerate: Alaska annual 2-day conference focused on building Alaska’s local economies, expanding global networks, and diversifying our industries. FRESH leads the Food Systems track, and is always looking for engaging and innovative speakers on a broad range of Circumpolar food topics. Contact Rachael Miller at remiller@alaskapacific.edu if you’d like to be considered as a speaker or have recommendations pertaining to presenters or topics.