DOGE Alaska has uncovered a massive federal grant to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska so that its members can buy king crab and king salmon from local fishermen, with the stated priority of buying from commercial fishermen who are also tribal members. That way the money circulated back into the tribe.
The $2.4 million grant award came from the Department of Agriculture in a grant program intended to help “socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.” The grant awarded to the Sitka tribe allows 1,000 tribal households the ability to buy king crab, Dungeness crab, shrimp, salmon, and halibut from local commercial fishermen through a contact by the Sitka Tribe. This is not subsistence, and it’s not SNAP benefits (although people can buy king crab with their EBT cards), but is supposed to ensure greater food security for the members of the tribe, by allowing them to get free seafood right off the boats.
Frozen king crab legs sell at Safeway in Juneau for about $80 a pound.
The Department of Agriculture food security grant indicates that commercial fishermen of Alaska fall into that socially disadvantaged category that the grant covers. Here’s the grant language:
“The purpose of this agreement is to purchase and distribute local food, targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Through this program, Sitka Tribe of Alaska will contract with local fishermen (prioritizing local fishermen who are tribal citizens) and local processors, as needed, for the purchase and distribution of crab (king and Dungeness), shrimp, and fish (salmon and halibut).
“Provide up to 1,000 tribal households with crab, shrimp, and fish during the appropriate seasons in 2024 and 2025 by establishing contracts between Sitka Tribe of Alaska and local fishermen (prioritizing tribal citizens) and processors, as needed. Create a central and accessible location where tribal citizens can pick up minimally processed (only to the level of maintaining freshness/quality—sealed) crab, shrimp, and fish that is ready for storage or immediate use. The plans for distribution will be included in the contracts between Sitka Tribe and the fishermen, ensuring that staff of Sitka Tribe can provide any necessary support.
“Establish strong, lasting relationships between Sitka Tribe of Alaska and local fishermen, preferably local fishermen who are tribal citizens, in order to ensure Sitka Tribe’s support of our local business operators and allow for local fishermen to contribute directly to their tribe and elders—honoring cultural traditions and fostering relationships between citizens, and between citizens and Sitka Tribe.
“Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations, as well as funds expended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks.
“The primary beneficiaries of this program will be the tribal households (up to 1,000 households) who will receive crab, shrimp, and fish during the appropriate seasons in 2024 and 2025, and the local fishermen we contract with to receive these goods. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.”
Only one award per state was made out of the “Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program Plus (LFPA Plus)” grant that awarded $2.4 million to the Sitka Tribe.
Read more about the program here to click through all the associated grant documents.
DOGE Alaska is a group of citizens that are researching waste, fraud, and abuse. It is a project, not a formal organization. Read more about it at the link below:
