MUCKLESHOOT EVENTS CENTER — The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe recently hosted a United States Department of Agriculture conference on the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The event drew Tribal representatives from all over the U.S.

Councilman Donny Stevenson represented the Tribe and presented the conference agenda to kick off the event aimed at rebuilding trust and their relationships with Tribes. The FDPIR provides food to apporximately 53,000 income-eligible households on Tribal reservations and Native Americanhouseholds in approved areas near reservations. The program provides American-grown and produced foods and nutrition education that help reduce food insecurity and support nutritious diets.

Currently, the program is experiencing food delivery delays, which are impacting inventory levels at participating locations. The agency is trying to address the delays with additional funding to allow the program to purchase foods from other suppliers; expanding other federal nutrition programs; activating emergency food assistance programs; and leveraging a local food purchasing agreement.

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