Cherokee Nation announces new food distribution program at local community buildings

Cherokee Nation has signed MOUs with various Community and Cultural Outreach organizations to enter into the newly announced Hawiya Food Sovereignty Program. CCO organizations will distribute food packages including meat from Cherokee Nation’s own 1839 Meat Co. Packages include sausage chubs, pork tenderloin and ground beef.

Participating organizations will coordinate delivery and safe handling practices with Cherokee Nation’s Food Distribution programs. Participating CCO organizations will distribute packages during the last three business days of each month. Limited quantities are available for eligible families.

“Through the COVID-19 pandemic, we as a nation saw the critical need to invest into the health of our citizens,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. “We know that Native Americans are disproportionally affected by unhealthy diets and outcomes of those diets. The fact is that many communities in rural areas are in food deserts and lack access to proper nutrition. The Hawiya program uses the strength of our grassroots organizations to bridge the physical gap in securing adequate nutrition for Cherokees.”

Any household with a Cherokee citizen is eligible regardless of age, income or residency status. Preference is given to Cherokee elders age 60 and up, along with first-language fluent Cherokee speakers. Recipients have the opportunity to receive packages monthly through this program.

“We’re remaining committed to breaking down barriers that our citizens face, whether that be food-insecurity or another issue,” said Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner. “Increased access to quality nutritional food will not only help individuals but reduce the chance of adverse health outcomes for our nation.”

Individuals in Cherokee Nation’s FDPIR Program or SNAP are ineligible except in cases of hardship, as self-reported by the recipient and determined by the CCO organization.

Cherokee Nation utilizes the United States Department of Agriculture’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement to supplement acquiring and distributing packages. LFPA uses non-competitive cooperative agreements to provide funding for state, tribal and territorial governments to purchase foods produced within the state or within 400 miles of the delivery destination to help support local, regional and underserved producers. Hawiya participating CCO’s include: • Muldrow Cherokee Community Organization (Muldrow)

• Vian Community Foundation (Vian)

• Brushy Cherokee Action Association (Sequoyah County)

• Evening Shade Community Resident Organization (Sequoyah County)

• Marble City Food Pantry (Marble City)

• Rural Communities Initiative Foundation (Belfonte) Earlier this month CCO identified the above organizations operating community buildings within the reservation who have adequate capacity to participate in the Hawiya program. Those organizations who are interested in participating can participate in the future by reaching out to CCO to determine eligibility.

For more info, contact Community and Cultural Outreach at 918207-4963 or cco@cherokee.org.