IFAI Empowers FPDIR Managers With Food Safety Training at Cherokee Nation

Since its founding more than a decade ago, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative has been a cornerstone in supporting Tribal Nations, producers and organizations engaged in the development of their food systems. IFAI's Tribal Enterprise Team recently conducted a three-day food safety training at the Cherokee Nation. This training was tailored to the unique needs of Indian Country food distribution programs. This was a pilot for future food safety education opportunities for Tribal directors and staff of the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation. 

"FDPIR directors requested this food safety curriculum to ensure they can deliver safe and healthy food to their program participants," said Steven Shedd, the initiative's Enterprise Team director. "Alongside USDA's Food and Nutrition Service, we worked to create a training curriculum based on IFAI's extensive experience with Tribal fresh food safety."  

FDPIR serves Native Americans, Alaska Natives and, except in Oklahoma, non-Natives living in a FDPIR service area. These include income-eligible American Indian and non-Indian reservation households and eligible households in nearby service areas. In Oklahoma, households must contain one federally recognized Tribal citizen to be eligible. In September 2024, FDPIR fed more than 54,000 Americans. 

The Cherokee Nation is amongst the more than 100 Tribal Nations and state entities operating FDPIR warehouses. Board members from the National Association of FDPIR and Native Food and Nutrition Resource Alliance also traveled in to take part in the training.  

"We really appreciate IFAI and FNS incorporating this learning opportunity," said Mary Greene Trottier, who serves as president of the NAFDPIR board and is also the Food and Nutrition director for Spirit Lake Tribe. "Giving Tribal staff training on how to safely handle fresh fruits and vegetables really increases their ability to supply healthier, fresh foods to program participants." 

FDPIR food packages are amongst the healthiest of meals offered in the U.S. USDA's Healthy Eating Index scores the FDPIR Food Package an 84 out of 100, compared to the American average diet of 59. It is one of the most effective, healthy feeding initiatives the U.S. makes for American citizens. By increasing ITO staff's ability to handle these foods, the IFAI training seeks to give them increased ability to source more local foods for program participants' food boxes.  

Since 2016, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative has maintained cooperative agreements with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration to support training, education and outreach to Tribal producers on the Food Safety Modernization Act, with a specific focus on the Produce Safety Rule. 

IFAI's commitment to culturally appropriate training is evident in its modified curriculum and training series on the PSR for Tribal growers. This curriculum, based on the Produce Safety Alliance curriculum developed by Cornell University and FDA, incorporates unique considerations for Indian Country.  

Since 2016, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative has conducted over 100 produce safety trainings across Indian Country. Notable sessions include the 2018 FDPIR Mountain Plains Regional Conference for ITO warehouse staff handling fresh produce and training nutrition program staff for the Chickasaw Nation in Davis and Ada, Oklahoma. Additionally, IFAI has facilitated breakout sessions on food safety at previous NAFDPIR annual membership meetings, covering essential principles such as microbial growth, safe handling strategies and risk mitigation practices for warehouse environments. 

Through these efforts, the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative continues to empower Tribal staff with the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure food safety in their communities. By providing culturally relevant and FDPIR-specific training, the initiative is helping to build a safer and more resilient food system for Indian Country. 

To learn more about the Tribal Enterprise Team's work, please visit indigenousfoodandag.com/enterprise or email tribalag@uark.edu.