Part 4/12:
The majority of Alaska’s food arrives by container ships from Tacoma, Washington. These ships typically carry enough cargo to last between 3 to 7 days, which means stores depend on weekly arrivals. Since most residents live within a two-hour drive of Anchorage’s port, restocking is somewhat manageable in the city. However, beyond Anchorage, distribution becomes complex, especially for small, remote communities.
Remarkably, Alaska doesn’t warehouse its food like lower 48 states or even Hawaii. Instead, food arrives “just in time,” directly entering stores with only about 6 to 10 days of reserves at any given moment. This minimal buffer makes the state highly susceptible to disruption—be it weather, natural disasters, or geopolitical issues.