USDA Announces Nutrition Assistance For Indian Tribal Organizations

 WASHINGTON, April 8, 2010– Agriculture Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services Kevin Concannon today announced that Indian Tribal Organizations and States operating the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) have received over $4.5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding appropriated for the purchase of equipment and the improvement of facilities needed to provide food assistance to low-income families on and near Indian reservations.

"It is imperative that people throughout the country have access to safe and nutritious food, and through the Recovery Act, we're investing resources to enhance the availability of food on Indian Reservations and tribal lands," said Concannon. "The Obama administration is committed to increasing the health and nutrition of the American people, and these Recovery Act investments will help further that goal."

Through FDPIR, USDA purchases food that is provided to low-income households, including the elderly, living on Indian reservations, and to Native American families residing in designated areas near reservations and in the State of Oklahoma. Currently, there are 271 tribes receiving benefits under FDPIR through 98 Indian Tribal Organizations and 5 State agencies. Almost 90,000 low-income individuals receive a monthly FDPIR food package.

FDPIR Recovery Act funds have been provided to Indian Tribal Organizations and government agencies in the states listed below. The remaining FDPIR Recovery Act funds are expected to be allocated soon to other FDPIR Tribal partners.