USDA Takes Steps to Support Food Sovereignty with the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2023 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Through LFPA, the tribe seeks to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers.

"USDA is excited to partner with Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities," said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. "The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country."

With the LFPA funds, the tribe will create the Bad River Tribe's Local Food Purchasing Agreement (BRLFPA) program to provide low-income tribal members with high-quality and locally sourced food, including indigenous foods produced in the Great Lakes region such as wild rice, maple syrup, venison, and whitefish.

"Strengthening food security for our Tribal Nation and fortifying our local food economy are incredible outcomes for our Tribe and the Lake Superior region," said Chairman Mike Wiggins. "Providing our people, the best, high quality food that is of the earth and water and locally grown has a healing sustainable component for our Tribal members and the lands and waters around us."

USDA's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program provides up to $900 million through non-competitive cooperative agreements to enable state, territory, and tribal governments to support local, regional and underserved producers, and maintain or improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination. Funding for the program comes from the American Rescue Plan and the Commodity Credit Corporation.

AMS looks forward to continuing to sign agreements under this innovative program that allows state and tribal governments to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to their geographic area.

More information about the program is available on AMS's Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program webpage.

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