Food Distribution

Fax
(208)686-5009

Mission Statement

The Food Distribution Program is designed to promote the general welfare and to safeguard the health and well being of the community by raising the levels of nutrition among eligible low-income households living on or near the Coeur d'Alene or Kootenai reservations.

About

The Food Distribution Program is a federally funded program with a 25% match from the tribe. The program provides commodity foods and nutrition education to lowincome households on the Coeur d'Alene reservation. The program is alternative to the food stamp program.At this time there are 246 households certified. Canned goods, fresh fruits, frozen meats and flour products are given out in a monthly supply.

The program offers limited emergency food assistance. Referrals are made from the Social Services Department.. The program is working to make this into a complete food bank program. The items given out at present are not being replaced. The Staff will be working on food drives and requesting funds to replenish the stock.A garden project is being developed. With the assistance of the Fire Management and Facilities staff, six wooden garden boxes have been set up on site. The first crop will be planted in the Spring of 2003. Elementary school students will assist by growing plants to be transplanted into the boxes. The items that are grown will be given out to elders and program clients. In 2005 the food Distribution Program started The Five A Day Color Way Program to help teach the cliental to get five different colors of fruits and vegetables in their daily diet