News

Minnesota grant supports food truck to help Native Americans in need

September 25, 2017

The state of Minnesota has provided $150,000 to the White Earth Natural Resources Department to distribute food to areas in need, including $39,800 for a food truck, in addition to vegetable display coolers that will be placed in White Earth convenience stores, according to The Bemidji Pioneer.

Ninety percent of White Earth Nation, a reservation for a Minnesota Chippewa tribe in northern Minnesota, is considered a federally-recognized "food desert." 

Zachary Paige, food sovereignty coordinator with White Earth Natural Resources Department, applied for the first-ever Good Food Access Program Grant through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which received the funds.

The truck will be used to cook and sell meals, as well as locally-grown produce. Paige hopes to team with the community college extension and to train students in cooking with native crops and foods.