Alaska Food Leaders Recognized

Bernie Karl, Chena Hot Springs owner, talks with attendees at the 2010 Chena Energy Fair. photo by Diane Neill Jensen

The nomination committee of Global Food Alaska recently announced the recipients of the 2011 Global Food Alaska Leadership Awards. All of the awardees were prestigious organizations and businesses which have continually dedicated themselves in providing a world-class service while uplifting and commercializing Alaska’s natural bounty and resources to the world.

The awardees were recognized in three categories – the best Grower/Harvester/Direct-Marketer, the best Manufacturer/Processor and Alaska’s champions in Food Service, Restaurant, Distributor, Wholesaler, Broker or Retail partners.

The official recipients of 2011 Global Food Alaska Leadership Awards in the Grower/Harvester/Direct-Marketer category are Larry Harris from Matanuska Gardens, Bernie Karl of Chena Fresh/Chena Hot Springs Resort and Ben Vanderweele of Vanderweele Farms.

For the category, Manufacturer/Processor, awardees were Scott Blake, Copper River Seafoods; Ralph Carney, Alaska Chip Company; and John Lowrance, Leader Creek Fisheries.

Alaska Champions for Food Service, Restaurant, Distributor, Wholesaler, Broker or Retail partner includes Jim Harmon (SeaShare), Chris Johnson (Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District) and Skip Winfree (10th and M Seafoods).

Award winners are recognized for creating a successful business through the application of commitment, dedication, hard work, ingenuity and innovation while meeting Alaska’s challenges of remoteness, geography, weather, technical know how, limited population base and infrastructure.

The panel of nominators and judges included Bill Quantick, WCP Solutions;Ruby Hollembaek, Alaska Interior Game Ranch; Lea Kingert, Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank; Susannah Morgan, Food Bank of Alaska; Greg Obeso, Lynden International and Jeff Jones, Morris Communications.

About Global Food Alaska

Global Food Alaska is a grass-roots initiative facilitated by professionals along the supply chain of Alaska’s food, beverage and agri-products sectors. The organization gives Alaskan business (usually related to Alaska’s food, environment and agriculture) get the opportunity to learn about market trends and make relevant business solutions.

http://www.gfc-connect.com/?page=Leadership_2011

Photo credit Diane Jensen

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