The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is dedicated to improving nutrition security and increasing food sovereignty for tribal members. Native Americans face some of the highest rates of food insecurity, and the pandemic has worsened this disparity.
The Local Food Purchasing Agreement funding opportunity allows the tribe to establish a pilot program dedicated to bringing fresh produce, staple foods, and traditional foods to our tribal members. This program will be administered by the Elders Program by establishing; food pantries (located in western Washington) and distributing fresh and traditional foods to members that are homebound or unable to travel. Our plan is to, a. increase the availability of fresh foods and traditional culturally important foods to our tribal members, b. partner with socially disadvantaged local producers to aid us in acquiring needed fresh and traditional food, and c. establishing a food distribution program that will reach the majority of our tribal members.
Partnering with socially disadvantaged producers in Washington State allows us to support the local economy and regional producers. This opportunity provides the tribe the opportunity to strengthen the agricultural supply chain resiliency in Washington State.