Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma LFPA Plus Executive Summary

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will build the capacity and network partnerships of local and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in order to reduce food insecurity across the 10,922-square-mile reservation area. Procuring local produce and protein sources and establishing a direct farmer to consumer market will encourage production and streamline efficiency of delivering fresh, minimally processed foods to underserved Tribal citizens in the food deserts where they live. This project will set up the fundamentals of the supply and distribution network, as well as the education and outreach initiative, with the goal of eventually increasing procurement from underserved producers and distributing to over 4,000 households that need food across the 13-county Tribal service area. With funding from the USDA Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program, the CNO will help change the perception and decision-making paradigm of producers and consumers in the Reservation and promote a healthier lifestyle that benefits everyone.