Opinion: USDA works to boost food program in Indian Country

Monday, January 21, 2013  

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works closely with Tribes to provide healthy foods and nutrition assistance to Native Americans who face food insecurity through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC); the National School Lunch Program (NSLP); the School Breakfast Program (SBP); the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR); as well our farmers market programs. All of these programs provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to receive fruits and vegetables.

For example, FDPIR is specifically targeted to those living on or near participating Indian reservations and provides eligible individuals with an opportunity to choose monthly from a wide variety of healthy, USDA-purchased foods. Participants on most reservations can choose fresh produce instead of canned fruits and vegetables. And we are constantly striving to improve the nutritional value of USDA Foods by reducing sugar, salt and fat in further-processed products. USDA canned fruits are now packed in extra light sucrose syrup or slightly sweetened fruit juice; and all apple sauce is unsweetened. We’ve reduced the sodium in all canned beans and vegetables, and frozen vegetables with no added salt are also available. We also offer a number of whole grain and low-fat meat and lean poultry products. In fact, research has shown that the foods offered in FDPIR make for a far healthier diet than what the average American consumes."

Get the Story:
Darlene L. Barnes: Misconceptions Abound About Nutrition of Federal Food Programs (Indian Country Today 1/20)