Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that tribal nutrition education projects in Wisconsin have been selected to receive grants this year through USDA's Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR). The grants will help develop creative, self-initiated projects designed to enhance the nutrition knowledge and to foster positive lifestyle changes of FDPIR participants in low-income households living on Indian reservations and to American Indian households residing in approved areas near reservations. Janie Hipp, Director of USDA's Office of Tribal Relations, joined tribal leaders in Wisconsin to announce the grants on behalf of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.
"We are committed to working with Tribal nations to improve the nutrition and health on Indian Reservations and tribal lands," Vilsack said. "These projects will help support and expand nutrition education through self-initiated projects and provide better access to more fruits and vegetables so that we can make great strides in improving the nutrition and health of tribal members."
Each year, Indian Tribal Organizations and state agencies that administer the program can apply for funding to expand nutrition education efforts. USDA chose two applicants, located in Wisconsin to receive FY 2011 funding to develop nutrition education projects that incorporate the Dietary Guidelines within the Native American culture.
Projects chosen this year for the grants, which total $1 million, include a recipe toolkit containing menus, shopping lists, and snack ideas featuring more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; summer camp programs for youth to teach healthy cooking techniques; nutrition education sessions held during scheduled food deliveries for participants in remote reservation areas; and community gardens to promote fruit and vegetable consumption. The announcement comes as First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative celebrates National Gardening Month (April).
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