The columbia river inter-tribal fish commission will utilize local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program grant funds to develop and structure a food delivery system to provide…

The columbia river inter-tribal fish commission will utilize local food purchase assistance cooperative agreement program grant funds to develop and structure a food delivery system to provide healthier food to underserved and socially disadvantaged tribal communities at their respective reservations and along the columbia river. The purpose of this agreement is to purchase and distribute local food targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. The project will involve purchasing fresh, nutritious, seasonal vegetables, fruits, and fish products. IT will involve coordination between the four member tribes, the columbia river inter-tribal fish commission, a fish processing vendor, and a tribally owned farm to provide for the delivery of food boxes, including fresh vegetables, fruits, and fish. The project will purchase fish products, e.g., cans, possibly fillets in year 2, from bornstein seafoods, an experienced seafood processor. The processor will purchase salmon harvested by tribal fishers for inclusion into value-added products, which will be purchased by columbia river inter-tribal fish commission for distribution. The project will help RE-establish tribal trade routes and communication systems to build upon food sovereignty efforts and look for ways to improve the choices and diets of tribal members through food alternatives aligned with traditional diets and access to fresh and nutritious foods. Contracting with vendors and subawardees will increase local food consumption and help build and expand economic opportunity for local socially disadvantaged producers and tribal fishers by providing access to these foods, as people can taste, eat, and develop preferences. Quarterly performance reports will be submitted to capture the number of producers, socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, distribution sites, and underserved locations as well as funds expended for each category. Annual reports will provide percentages of new marketingopportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks. Two producers, yakama nation farms, a native-owned farm, and bornstein seafoods will benefit from this project. Approximately 50 tribal fishers will provide salmon for the canned products which will be distributed to the tribal communities both along the columbia river and to the reservation communities. IT is estimated that between 3,247 and 4 ,329 tribal members, which includes individuals living along the columbia river, will be the recipients and beneficiaries for the distribution of these foods as underserved communities and as communities not normally served through traditional food distribution networks. The recipient plans to subaward funds to NEZ perce tribe, confederated tribes and band of the yakama nation, confederated tribes of the umatilla indian reservation, and confederated tribes of the warm springs reservation.