Food Security and Subsistence

Gillian took us through a twisting, if not torturous path concerning comfort food. Was it a lack of sleep? Alas, there is no macaroni and cheese to be found. It seems so unfair. If I followed the path presented correctly, the discussion leads from comfort food to possibly food safety or food security. I know it’s a bit of stretch, but I'll still take it.

Many people live on the coast of Alaska because of food security or more accurately security borne of a reliable food supply. Compared to many regions, rural Alaskans depend on maintaining a subsistence lifestyle and a close relationship to the environment. In what seems like another life here in Southeast Alaska, I was a member of the Southeast Alaska Federal Subsistence Advisory Council. The Council serves as the interface between the subsistence community and the Federal government. Until the State of Alaska changes its position on rural preference for subsistence foods, people depend on the Federal government to preserve their access to food and a lifeway.

In the ten years that have followed since I was on the Council, I have grown more concerned with the growing divide that exists between urban and rural residents, and promoting clean boating practices. My move back to rural Southeast Alaska has only reinforced my concerns for preserving the health of our rural communities. Access to subsistence foods is an important part of that goal. The food sounds better to me than bogong moths. Herring eggs, dried salmon, kelp, halibut, and crab are a few of our food resources used by people living here.

So in Blogchain No. 9, the discussion has moved from avoiding the comfort zone to comfort food to food security. What will Kelly at Organized Chaos do with this thread?

Tags: Absolute Write, Absolute Write Blogchain No.9, AW, Southeast Alaska

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Why participate in an AW Blogchain?

A group of freelance writer's at Absolute Write (AW) have actively participated in what we call the Absolute Write Blogchain. There are many benefits for those that play a part in the experience. We operate under these basic guidelines:

• First person in the chain finds the last post of the last post and takes an element from that to base their blog post on so that the previous chain and this chain are connected.
• Second and subsequent participants in the chain will take an element from the entry before theirs and incorporate it into their post. So for me to post an entry, I need to read yours and find something about your post.
• The last person in the chain takes an element from the post before theirs and from the first post to tie the chain together.

This is the start of Absolute Write Blogchain No.8 and I am writing the first entry based on the last post from ol' No.7 from Techtainment. Razib's post was on the four benefits for writers participating in the AW Blog. Briefly, these included link development, improvement in their Google Page Rank, community interest generated by comments, and the enjoyment of working with the others involved in the project.

I have to second Razib's comments on the writers involved with AW. The interaction, support and help provided has been overwhelming to me. AW defines what a positive community can do for its members. And it's a two-way street, you find there are equal measures of enjoyment assisting a fellow writer, as the relief felt after someone helps you out of a tight spot.

AW is a solid resource for writers. You can bounce a idea off the others, research a question, start a political argument and find a assignment. These are all the things that we need to keep the wheels turning and ideas fresh. Consider participating in AW Blogchain No.9!

The next blog in the chain will be BK_30 at Just A Small Town Girl.

Tags: Absolute Write Blogchain No.8, awchain, AW, Absolute Write

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