The Alaska food chain links up.

AuthorMcCorkle, Vern C.
PositionFrom the Publisher

Just as some observers had begun to sense a cyclical end to the once popular business and commercial trade show and exposition, along comes Robin Richardson and her Global Food Alaska Conference and Trade Show in Soldotna, sponsored by Global Food Collaborative LLC of Anchorage.

BOFFO! SRO! Smash hit--all the superlatives apply to this one. Nearly every major Alaska food supply chain producer, consumer and ancillary-service provider--such as investors, retailers, policy-makers, distributors, and dozens of other interests--showed up to jam-pack the Soldotna Sports Facility last month.

The slate of presenters and attendees studded with national and international personalities comprised a stellar aggregation that might have surprised any experienced observer. Add the appearance and active participation of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her family, themselves Bristol Bay set-net permit operators, and one would have to say Richardson pulled off a coup unparalleled in recent years.

Global Food Collaborative (GFC), a private business facilitation company, is the brainchild of Richardson. She reveals her first insight that the food industry is a global industry might stem from a 1977 talk given by Dr. Glenn Olds, former president of Alaska Pacific University and commissioner of the Alaska departments of Commerce and Economic Development, and Natural Resources. He foresaw that Alaska could become a food producer to the world.

GFC engages in all aspects of the supply chain of food and food-based products in Alaska. It was the prime sponsor of "Global Food Alaska--2007," a two-day conference and trade show last month, attracting more than 150 exhibitors and some 400 attendees.

With strawberries in January and crisp apples year-round, can there be any doubt that the food industry is global? As for Alaska businesses, getting to know more about and participate in the globality of the food supply chain is elementary to those who can see beyond this decade, as...

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