The Pascua Yaqui Tribe Local Food Purchase Assistance Program is designed to support expanded food consumption among low-income individuals and families enrolled in one of three programs operated by Pascua Yaqui Tribe in Tucson, Arizona. All processes and activities are directed toward four primary goals. One is to create and expand economic opportunity for socially/historically socially disadvantaged food producers, of which, outreach has identified approximately 15 producers we intend to choose seven or eight from. The increase of local food producers will help build a more resilient and equitable local economy by placing an emphasis on buying from these businesses.
The primary focus is to increase the current number of healthy meals for low-income families by 193%, while increasing the number of unduplicated clients served annually by an additional 109 clients across all three Pascua Yaqui Tribe food programs. Increases in the quantity of food and meals provided, in addition to a new distribution site for low-income families of children enrolled in the Head Start Program will ensure that clients have access to nutritious food throughout each week. Staff from the three participating departments will convene for bi-monthly meetings as part of the quality control process. Additionally, staff will coordinate information to ensure that clients are using only one food delivery program to ensure food is being dispersed to as many people as possible.