USDA Takes Steps to Support Food Sovereignty with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2022 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced it has signed a cooperative agreement with the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes under the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Through LFPA, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes seek to purchase and distribute locally grown, produced, and processed food from underserved producers.

“USDA is excited to partner with Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes to promote economic opportunities for farmers and producers and to increase access to locally sourced, fresh, healthy, and nutritious food in underserved communities,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “The Local Food Purchase Cooperative Agreement Program will improve food and agricultural supply-chain resiliency and increase local food consumption around the country.”

With the support of the LFPA program, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes will be able to increase food supplies and help more underserved community members while purchasing meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables, boosting the economy for local and underserved farmers and producers.

“The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes are excited about such a worthy program that will meet the needs of many tribal citizens and Native Americans in our tribal jurisdiction,” said Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Governor Reggie Wassana. “Our food pantries will be able to service even more tribal citizens with valuable nutritional needs.”

The LFPA program is authorized by the American Rescue Plan to maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain resiliency. Through this program, USDA will award up to $400 million through non-competitive cooperative agreements with state and tribal governments to support local, regional, and underserved producers through the purchase of food produced within the state or within 400 miles of delivery destination.

AMS looks forward to continuing to sign agreements under this innovative program that allows state and tribal governments to procure and distribute local and regional foods and beverages that are healthy, nutritious, and unique to their geographic area.