With the uncertainty around SNAP during the government shutdown, Intertribal Ag is sharing out a list of Tribal producers (individuals, Tribes, etc.) who may have products available for purchase if Tribes are looking to source additional food to cover additional need Tribal members may be experiencing if SNAP is unavailable.
The list is not exhaustive, but we will be making updates in coming days and weeks. If you know of Tribes or Tribal food businesses that should be added, let me know and we’ll get them added. We’re hoping to have a list or a link to the latest updated list added to indianag.org early next week so folks can have ready access to the latest information in real time.
A few points to note:
- Some producers may utilize state food inspection instead of federal food inspection — which increases the number of Tribal producers who may have products available, however, Tribes may want to make sure the product meets any requirements certain funding or grants they plan to utilize may require.
- Depending on the size of the operation of a Tribal producer, one Tribal producer may not have enough products to fill the entire amount desired, however, we are actively working with our staff and other partners to add to the list, so that interest Tribes may fulfill their needs through multiple producers if helpful.
- Right now, many Tribal producers have not received payments from USDA they are entitled to due to the government shutdown (like USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), which pays producers to build on their existing conservation efforts while strengthening their operations)—because of this, it may impact what producers have available based on their own business needs, especially around access to more immediate cash flow to help offset the USDA payments they may have planned for. Many producers must take into account the current market, input costs of processing, delivering, and time. If Tribes are interested in purchasing from Tribal producers, flexibility around amounts and timing for deliveries can be helpful! Tribal producers want to feed their communities, but have regularly run into barriers in federal food distribution program requirements that have limited their ability to supply food to their communities. That said, if a Tribe has some flexibility around their approach, there are longer term beneficial impacts for Tribes that are interested in working with Tribal producers.
Please feel free to share the list with Tribes or Tribal organizations you may work with. While IAC can’t guarantee what producers may have available, we want to at least provide a starting place for Tribes that may be looking for food options within Indian Country. If we can be of any help, please don’t hesitate to reach out!