Cherokee Nation (CN) Human Services (CNHS) goal for its food and nutrition programs is food and nutrition security, meaning participants have consistent and equitable access to healthy and safe foods that promote health and well-being. To further this goal, CNHS is applying for two-years of funding, in the amount of $9,104,790 CNHS will increase food and nutrition security by equitably providing tribal elders within the reservation with pecans; honey; and lean ground beef, pork and bison.
Both pecans and honey have proven health benefits such as reducing blood pressure, improved immunity, increasing anti-inflammatory compounds, and boosting heart health. Unfortunately, the pool of local honey and pecan producers within the Cherokee Nation (CN) is small, family operations lacking the capacity to provide the quantity of pecans and honey needed for tribal elders within the reservation. Pecans and honey will be distributed to participants of the CN Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (CNFDPIR). CN will contract with up to four socially disadvantaged honey and pecan producers within the reservation to provide honey and pecans four times each during the grant period.
CN-owned 1839 Cherokee Meat Company has the capacity to provide a monthly food package of ground beef, pork, and bison to 5,700 tribal elders each month during grant period for a total of 136,804 food packages over the grant period. CNHS will contract with 1839 Cherokee Meat Company and the food package will be distributed every month to CNFDPIR participants and Cherokee elders.