Purchase and distribute local food targeting purchases from socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers

Tolowa DEE-NI' nation with local food purchase assistance plus funds authorized by the commodity credit corporation seeks to strengthen the resilience of their local food systems through purchasing from local, socially disadvantaged food producers, and distributing fresh food boxes to underserved community members. Tolowa DEE-NI' nation anticipates purchasing 30,000 pounds of local beef from a socially disadvantaged rancher and distributing IT to tribal citizen households over a performance period of two years. Tolowa DEE-NI' nation also anticipates the purchase and distribution of 30,000 pounds of mixed seasonal produce, which includes eggs, from a local growers' association over the two-year performance period. Tolowa DEE-NI' nation intends to purchase 6 ,000 pounds of seasonal mixed produce from a small local farm, over the two-year period as well. 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 marketing opportunities and purchases distributed beyond current food distribution networks. Access gained by tribal citizens through this program will increase fresh local food consumption for recipients. Tolowa DEE-NI' nation will share information about our program and the local food producers who participate, to promote and encourage local food purchasing and to support the strengthening of our local food systems. Fresh locally produced food can be seen as good medicine, and this cooperative agreement has potential to support the whole-health wellness of tolowa DEE-NI' nation citizens, our local socially disadvantaged food producers, our local economy, and our local food system network and ecosystems. The recipients expected to benefit from our program are citizens of tolowa DEE-NI' nation who reside on the reservation or surrounding area. These citizens reside in a food desert and are underserved. They face food insecurity and have limited or no access to fresh local foods. Tolowa DEE-NI' nation expects to serve 125 tribal citizen households each month, for a performance period of two years. The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.