Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
James Ryder (202) 225-0020
Congressman Joe Baca, D-Calif., Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing to review the federal Food Distribution Program for Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
The FDPIR provides food to low-income households, including the elderly, on Indian reservations, and to Native American families residing in designated areas near reservations and in the state of Oklahoma.
“For far too long, Congress has failed to adequately review the effectiveness of the FDPIR and numerous other programs pertaining to the health of Native Americans," Chairman Baca said. “I am proud to chair this historic hearing, allowing America’s tribes to discuss this necessary program, and voice their needs and concerns regarding the larger public health issues of nutrition, obesity, and diabetes. Working together, we can better understand the unique needs of our tribal communities, and create a more effective system to ensure Native Americans receive the proper nutrition they need to lead happy, healthy, and prosperous lives."
"As we begin the process of reauthorizing federal nutrition programs, it is important to review the innovative approaches the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations has taken to encourage a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet," Ranking Member Jeff Fortenberry, R-Neb. said. “Seven out of every 10 deaths in this country are caused by chronic conditions that are largely lifestyle-related. Many of these could be prevented, better managed, and in some cases, even reversed through healthy lifestyle changes. This program can be a part of the solution by providing a nutritionally balanced food package that includes quality, fresh, desirable foods that appeal to participants."
FDPIR is administered at the federal level by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and administered locally by either Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs) or state government agencies. Currently, there are approximately 271 tribes receiving benefits under FDPIR through 99 ITOs and 5 state agencies.
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date.
To receive updated schedule and news information from the House Agriculture Committee, please visit the Committee website: http://democrats-agriculture.house.gov/Eupdates/updates.html.
Witness List:
Panel I
The Honorable Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
Panel II
The Honorable Andy Joseph, Jr., Chairman, Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, Tribal Council Member, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Chairman of the Health Committee, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, Portland Oregon
Ms. Norma Merriman, Group Leader, Cherokee Nation Human Services, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Source: House Committee on Agriculture
