The local food movement is becoming an established part of the overall marketplace, and beyond healthy benefits for human nutrition, provides increased economic health and strength to participating communities. A local foods conference was held in Agency Village, S.D. on March 15, 2016. The purpose was designed to help area producers, entrepreneurs, communities and consumers explore the many ways to participate in the movement.
“Expanding access to local and regional foods on reservations is a priority for USDA, and it is reflected in the investment programs that we bring to the table,” said Bruce Jones, USDA Rural Development South Dakota Acting State Director. “As opportunities for people to buy locally-produced food increase to meet the growing demand, opportunities for community economic development also expand.” Three of the lowest median household income (MHI) communities in the United States are located in South Dakota on reservations. The poverty rate on Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and Oglala Sioux Tribe (SWOT) is 22.9%, compared to 14.2% for the rest of South Dakota and 37% of children on SWOT live in poverty.
“The concept of food sovereignty has been a part of American Indian way of life for thousands of years and although not for profit, we have always maintained such into recent times. It is exciting as a modern-day Tribe to reestablish ourselves in the trade system, the production system and for economic growth,” said Dave Flute, Chairman of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate.
The interest in local farmers markets, farm-to-table, local food availability, and many other related topics is trending all over the country, and Jones is bringing the message of USDA Rural Development support to reservations. It was one of two local foods conferences being held in the state. The other session was held on March 16, 2016 in Kyle, SD on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Featured speakers included USDA experts James Barham and Margaret Bau who provided insight into local food initiatives, food hubs, value chains, co-op basics and what co-ops could look like on the respective reservations. The various USDA programs available for food enterprises were shared as well as the stages of business development including planning, implementation and growth. James stressed the importance of building strong local and regional food systems. He provided the participants with a strategy to meet these goals. Margaret shared inspiring examples of successful cooperatives.
President Obama's historic investments in rural America have made our rural communities stronger. Under his leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have empowered rural America to continue leading the way – strengthening America's economy, small towns and rural communities.