The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s Executive Director, Carly Griffith Hotvedt (Cherokee Nation), joined Native America Calling’s weekly program, The Menu, to discuss the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations disruptions and how the Farm Bill impacts Indian Country agriculture and food security and safety. The program also featured IFAI’s partners at the Intertribal Agriculture Council and the Native Farm Bill Coalition, which IFAI serves as the policy and research partner.

Listen to the episode by clicking the button at the bottom of this page.

Friday, August 30, 2024 – The Menu: Delays in tribal food program, more disputes over the Farm Bill, and Indigenous ice cream

Hundreds of low-income Native families who depend on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations are enduring delays and other system management problems. The heads of the agency that oversees the program are having to answer tough questions from lawmakers. In an unrelated dispute, those same lawmakers are squabbling over costs of a tribally run food distribution pilot program. It’s one of the reasons they can’t come to agreement on the current Farm Bill that has major implications for Indian Country. Also, adding an Indigenous ingredient to an ice cream recipe is a good way to experience a sweet and cold side of traditional flavor. That’s what First Nations chef Zach Keeshig did with sweet grass. That’s all on The Menu on Native America Calling, our special feature on Indigenous food hosted by Andi Murphy.

Guests:

Abi Fain (enrolled with Choctaw Nation), chief legal and policy officer for the Intertribal Agriculture Council, a co-founder of the Native Farm Bill Coalition

Carly Griffith Hotvedt (Cherokee), interim executive director of the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative

Zach Keeshig (Anishinaabe from the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation), chef and owner of Naagan