The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) is a Federally recognized Tribal Government located in Mississippi (MS). Tribal lands include 8 communities that extend across ten rural MS counties, with MBCI Tribal headquarters located in Choctaw, MS. MBCI will subaward funds to Choctaw Fresh Produce (CFP) for the procurement of fresh produce/food. CFP is a non-profit organization and USDA GAP-certified organic farm also located in Choctaw, MS. The purpose of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) Produce Purchase and Distribution Program is:
- to purchase fresh produce/food from CFP;
- to distribute healthful, fresh produce/food to all MBCI’s communities, targeting the underserved; and
- to maximize program outcomes by utilizing Community-based marketing and outreach methods/activities. All program participants (administration, food producers/storage, food distributors and recipients) are Tribal members and are defined as Socially Disadvantaged. Program recipients/beneficiaries include all Tribal members through direct food distribution to 8 Tribal Community Centers, an Elderly Activity Center and 3 MBCI Health Center programs.
Activities: LFPA funding will enable MBCI to procure fresh food from CFP’s 16 high-tunnel organic farm. LFPA funding will enable MBCI to distribute this food to all 8 MBCI communities through operation of a Mobile Market and a direct delivery system to beneficiaries. A Community-based marketing outreach plan will be developed and implemented to expand program participation at the recipient level across Tribal lands. Outcome: Locally produced healthful, fresh food will be provided to approximately 11,000 Tribal Members annually, targeting the underserved, over the three-year project period.