Mapping Indigenous Food Systems as Economic Development
The Native American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS) is a Minneapolis-based organization that helps tribal communities develop the infrastructure necessary to implement and support a range of Indigenous food production. Today, only 3% of food markets and 1% of restaurants in the United States are owned and operated by Indigenous peoples. Food insecurity, a reliance on non-traditional foods, and under-representation in food systems have contributed to disproportionately high rates of diabetes, obesity, and early death amongst Indigenous peoples. NCGrowth has completed an Indigenous Food Systems Report to help NATIFS establish an Indigenous food lab in North Carolina.
