At Thursday’s Susitna Community Council meeting, members discussed food security in the Upper Valley.
LouAnne Carroll-Tysdal, executive director of the Upper Susitna Food Pantry, shared her concerns that the Upper Valley may be disconnected from resources during emergencies. In those cases, she says food may become scarce or inaccessible to many.
Members shared they were concerned that residents from other locations may evacuate to the Upper Valley where resources are more plentiful. That also means they might stress those natural resources and existing food and supply stores if deliveries are cut off.
Susitna Community Council Chair Ned Sparks says this already happened during the COVID pandemic. Lower Valley residents unable to find food and other supplies at their local stores drove to Cubby’s grocery store to stock up.
Acknowledging that the Upper Valley includes Trapper Creek, Chase, Talkeetna, and Willow, Susitna Council membership will include the other area Councils in the discussion. The Susitna Council voted to create a committee to explore how the area Councils might collectively help prepare residents for emergencies.
