Soldotna To Host Alaska's First Global Food Trades

By Michael Russell

Alaska will finally have a chance to show her wares to the world. She can especially show off her exceptional Last Frontier only cuisine. This summer Soldotna, Alaska is the strategically chosen host for the first Alaska food buyers' conference, The Global Food Alaska 2007 Conference and Tradeshow. Everyone even remotely involved in the Alaskan food industry will be there. Even Mom and Pop Operations, of which Alaska has many, will be among those showing off their various food products. Many in the industry have waited for this day.

Alaskans have always known that they have fantastic food. And the tourists that have had a chance to experience and taste the various food products have discovered it too. The problem is that aside from those who dare to venture a visit to Alaska, it still leaves many who live in the lower 48 states with that common misconception that Alaska and Alaska's products are out of their reach. Although nothing could be further from the truth, convincing others of that fact is quite another thing. Some myths, especially Alaskan myths are tough to change.

Granted, for a good many decades the idea of transporting any type of products to and from Alaska was pretty hopeless. The dangerous and often treacherous terrain was enough to keep visitors and freight both away. Even airlines and their pilots gave pause when considering Alaska as a travel destination for a good many years. The post office or at least some form of a postal service or pony express was probably the only savior for those trying to get goods even around Alaska itself much less the lower 48 states or the rest of the world.

Today it's no big deal to get mail in and out of Alaska. Alaska has you might say come out of the Stone Age; at least where mail is concerned. She's made some concessions. There are now U.S. post offices all over the state, which are quite efficient. Alaskans regularly receive mail and packages of all sorts and sizes from all over the world. They are no different in their buying habits from the rest of the world. And big business knows it even if others haven't caught on. Alaska isn't far enough to keep eBay, Amazon and other online businesses from delivering their products.

This summer a lot could change for the Alaska food industry. Usually those in the Alaska food industry are the ones who travel to the various food conferences, fairs and tradeshows around the world. This year those in the Alaska food business can stay home and just get ready for company because in June the world is coming to Alaska. The very first Global Food Alaska 2007 Conference and Tradeshow will be held in the Soldotna Sport Center on June 13th and 14th and will feature various food industry businesses. Meat and fish processors, farmers, gardeners and anyone at all associated with growing, preparing, harvesting, marketing or any other aspect of the food industry will be on hand to give buyers an earful and mouthful of Alaska's best cuisine. The hope is that some fortunate Alaska food businesses will make some new friends and a whole lot of new customers too.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Alaska