Our Story
Our team brings together expertise, grit, and heart to deliver Alaska’s best freeze-dried foods.
From our veteran and women-led leadership to our partnerships with local producers, every hand behind
Alaska Food Co plays a part in keeping Alaska fed—one batch at a time
Alaska is wild, breathtaking… and, let’s be honest, vulnerable. Our state relies on imports for nearly everything on our shelves. One big storm, one delayed barge, one supply chain hiccup — and suddenly our communities feel it. Hard.
We’re here to change that.
Alaska Food Co was born from a simple idea with a big heartbeat: what if Alaska could feed Alaska? What if our farmers didn’t have to worry about unsold harvests, and our families didn’t have to rely on fragile supply chains thousands of miles away?
So we built a new way forward.
Partnering With the Hands That Grow Alaska
We work directly with local farmers, buying their produce and products in full — not just the “pretty” pieces, not just the peak season surplus. All of it.
Then we process and freeze-dry those harvests right here on Alaskan soil, transforming short seasonal windows into shelf-stable, long-lasting food that keeps its color, flavor, and nutrients.
Building Real Food Security, One Harvest at a Time
Freeze-drying isn’t just clever science — it’s resilience. It gives Alaska the power to build its own food infrastructure. It reduces waste. It supports family farms. It protects communities in emergencies. And it keeps more dollars in Alaska, strengthening the local economy instead of shipping it south.
Our Promise
To create a food-secure future for Alaska.
To preserve the flavors we grow here at home.
To honor the farmers whose work sustains us.
And to make sure that when Alaska needs Alaska… we show up.
This isn’t just food.
It’s a movement.
It’s a lifeline.
It’s Alaska, feeding Alaska — for generations to come.
What Sets AFC Apart
To help Alaska-grown foods go further, and create a stronger, more resilient Alaska powered by local food systems.
Our state-of-the-art process locks in nutrients and flavor while ensuring a long shelf life, so food stays fresher, longer.
Our on-staff chef ensures every recipe is not only delicious but also packed with the nutrition Alaskans need.We meet strict DEC standards to ensure the highest quality and safety for every product we create.
Our Team
Samantha Waisanen
Co-Founder & President
Sami Jo oversees every moving part of the business and partners closely with CEO Mandy to keep the company true to its mission. With experience across medical, legal, banking, manufacturing, and nonprofit industries, Samantha brings a wealth of knowledge, discipline, and a people-first approach to leadership.
Her vision for Alaska Food Company is rooted in Alaska’s hardworking generational farmers — connecting their harvests to families across the state and creating lasting economic impact through food security and global export opportunities. She believes deeply in the power of collaboration, working with the state, schools, farmers, and resilient citizens to build a healthier, stronger food future for Alaska.
Samantha also leads innovation with 49th State Farms, developing a freeze-dry-as-a-service initiative that empowers other businesses to grow, ensuring shared success across the state. Guided by the belief that “where there is a will, there is a way,” she approaches every challenge with determination and optimism.
Beyond her work, Samantha is fueled by family, the outdoors, and her love of Alaska-grown Purple Magic Molly potatoes — which she jokes she loves almost as much as her family.
Married to a proud U.S. veteran,
Samantha values service, resilience, and community, all of which shape the way she leads. In her free time, she dreams of mastering paddle boarding and has a newfound passion for cold plunges, embracing challenges with grit, humor, and heart.
Josh Waisanen
Co-Founder & Vice President
Leadership, service, and purpose have defined Josh’s path from the very beginning — from his years serving in the U.S. Army to his work today helping build a stronger, more food-secure Alaska. His military experience shaped his core values: integrity, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to taking care of the people around him. Those principles are the foundation of how he leads and how he approaches every challenge at Alaska Food Co.
As a veteran, husband, and father, Josh brings a steady, mission-focused presence to the company. He is deeply involved in the work — not just directing operations, but actively strengthening systems, improving efficiency, and ensuring that every product reflects AFC’s commitment to quality and care. His ability to see the big picture while managing the smallest operational details is one of the driving forces behind the company’s growth.
Josh’s leadership is grounded in service. He believes that strong communities are built through consistent action and meaningful support. Whether coordinating complex logistics, partnering with Alaska’s producers, or mentoring emerging leaders, he approaches every task with the mindset of building long-term, sustainable solutions. His goal is always the same: strengthen the team, support local agriculture, and contribute to a more resilient food system for the state.
Every step of Josh’s journey reflects his commitment to purpose-driven work. At Alaska Food Co., he continues that mission daily — leading with clarity, accountability, and a deep belief in creating positive, lasting impact for Alaska’s families and communities.
Dale Keefe
Head Chef
Dale Keefe is a dedicated family man and accomplished chef whose passion for food runs deeper than the plate. A graduate of both the Culinary Institute of America Greystone and The California Culinary Academy, Dale brings decades of experience in culinary arts, nutrition, and food service management. He is also a Certified Dietary Manager with advanced training in therapeutic and specialized diets — expertise that ensures every meal he creates nourishes both body and spirit.
Currently serving as Executive Chef at The Chop House, Dale partners with Alaska Food Co. to transform Alaska-grown ingredients into shelf-stable, gourmet meals designed for everyday use — from school lunch programs to emergency preparedness and family pantries across the state. His recipes reflect a rare blend of practicality and creativity, developed from years spent building school nutrition programs and elder meal cycles in Anchorage.
What drives Dale most is his belief that great food connects people — and that everyone deserves access to nutritious, high-quality meals, no matter where they live. Through his partnership with AFC, he’s helping ensure Alaska’s harvest can be enjoyed year-round, feeding families today and laying the foundation for a more resilient food future.
Outside the kitchen, Dale finds his greatest joy in time with family, Alaska’s outdoors, and sharing good meals with good company — the same values that inspire his work every day.
Mandy Mitchell
CEO
Mandy is the proud wife of Warren (U.S. Army, Retired), mom to four strong and spirited girls, and someone who has always believed in the power of showing up for others. Life in a military family shaped her early on, teaching resilience, grit, and the importance of having a tight-knit community to lean on. Those same values continue to guide her as a leader, a volunteer, and the CEO of Alaska Food Company.
Service has always been more than a hobby for Mandy—it’s a way of life. Over the years, she’s taken on leadership roles in Army family support organizations, coached and organized youth sports, and volunteered in countless community projects. One of her favorite traditions is helping with the annual Christmas Friendship Dinner, a massive volunteer event that feeds thousands of Alaskans each year. Bringing people together around a table is something she believes creates real connection.
As a small business owner, Mandy blends her heart for service with a mission-driven approach to building stronger food systems in Alaska. She’s passionate about partnering with local growers, supporting rural communities, and creating products that reflect the spirit and resilience of the state she loves. For her, this work is about more than food—it’s about strengthening the place her family calls home.
Mandy leads with curiosity, compassion, and a belief in lifting others up. Whether she’s mentoring, collaborating, or building new partnerships, she stays rooted in one core idea: serve with purpose and lead by example.
Our Partners
