Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations

Indian Tribal Organization

The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides USDA Foods to income-eligible households living on Indian reservations and to Native American households residing in designated areas near reservations or in Oklahoma. USDA distributes both food and administrative funds to participating Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies to operate FDPIR. These Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies determine applicant eligibility, distribute the foods, and provide nutrition education to recipients.

Getting Involved

Indian Tribal Organizations who are interested in distributing USDA Foods in their community should contact their FNS regional office to learn how to become an FDPIR administering agency.  

FDPIR Food Package

FDPIR offers a monthly food package with a variety of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, proteins, legumes, grains, dairy, soups, and traditional foods. The FDPIR Food Package Review Work Group reviews the FDPIR food package on an ongoing basis, with the goal of revising offerings to better meet the nutritional needs and food preferences of program participants. The following links provide more information about the foods and the overall composition of the food package.

USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Most FDPIR sites participate in the USDA DoD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. FDPIR participants in these locations can select fresh produce in place of canned fruits and vegetables. The following links provide more information about the USDA DoD Fresh Program and the produce options available.

Nutrition Education

Administering agencies are responsible for providing nutrition education to participants. Federal administrative funding is available for these activities, which can include individual nutrition counseling, cooking demonstrations, nutrition classes, and the dissemination of information on how USDA Foods may be used to contribute to a nutritious diet. The following resources can aid FDPIR agencies in providing nutrition education to participants.

  • FDPIR Sharing Gallery - The Sharing Gallery is a source of inspiration and sharing of nutrition education materials, recipes, photos, news, grant opportunities, training, and other digital resources for Indian Tribal Organizations participating in FDPIR.
  • Nutrition Education Grants - FNS awards funding for nutrition education projects through Food Distribution Program Nutrition Education (FDPNE) grants each fiscal year. FDPIR administering agencies can apply for funds to conduct projects that provide nutrition information and services to FDPIR participants.
  • Nutrition Paraprofessional Training Project - FNS is working with the Oklahoma Tribal Engagement Partners (OKTEP) to develop and deliver a nutrition paraprofessional training project for FDPIR staff working at local program sites. The training tools and resources developed under this grant will support the efforts of FDPIR local staff in conducting nutrition education activities for FDPIR participants who receive USDA Foods. The first training session will be held in October 2020. 

Additional Resources

04/20/2020