United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma LFPA Plus Executive Summary

The United Keetoowhah Band of Indians (UKB) in Oklahoma, a federally recognized Indian tribe, will utilize USDA's LFPA Plus funds in the amount of $1,200,000 to purchase eligible food from local farmers and producers, including member growers and gatherers of seasonal cultural foods to distribute as a supplemental food source to its members in "Old Cherokee Nation" area for a one year period. The overall goal is to help support the local food supply. The distribution of food to UKB members serves the goal of aiding member budgets in times of inflation and pandemics with local, healthy food. Additionally, the UKB desires to provide extra income for member growers and gatherers of cultural foods that will be distributed to home-bound elders of the tribe. The project is scheduled for 16 months: 3 months devoted to organizational readiness, 12 months of purchase and distribution of food, and 1 month of final reporting. The UKB shall contribute a significant amount of its resources to administer the project and further build its capacity to continue and expand these types of activities in an effort to enhance the food sovereignty of its members.