A key part of National Cooperative Grocers’ annual Field Day Sale is giving thanks by giving back. Throughout the November sale period, NCG will donate five cents to NĀTIFS for every product sold. If you need another reason to shop the 160+ Field Day products on sale, supporting Native foodways is certainly it.
What is NĀTIFS?
North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NATIFS), a nonprofit organization founded by Chef Sean Sherman of The Sioux Chef, is dedicated to addressing the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways. They imagine a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.
What Is a Foodway?
Foodways are comprehensive systems that account for the cultural, social, and economic factors related to the production, preparation, and consumption of food for a specific group or society. From growing and procuring food to culturally sensitive preparation and consumption rituals, foodways preserve history, folklore, and other cultural elements for future generations.
For NĀTIFS, re-establishing Native foodways centers on the Indigenous Food Lab. The Lab is an education and training center and the heart of NĀTIFS’ work. Its purpose is to create an Indigenous food system that reintegrates Native foods and Indigenous-focused education into tribal communities across North America. They work to develop and support Indigenous kitchens and food enterprises in tribal communities, bringing cultural, nutritional, and economic revitalization across North America!
The Lab is a training center that covers all aspects of Indigenous food service: research and development, Indigenous food identification, gathering, cultivation, and preparation, and all components of starting and running a successful culinary business.
NATIFS also runs programs to integrate Indigenous foods, recipes, and practices into schools through the Meals for Native Institutions (MNI) program and Indigenous Recipe Development for Schools and Institutions.
Another core component of their work is the organization’s participation in the Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative, a federal program dedicated to promoting Indigenous agricultural markets and improving American Indian/Alaskan Native health by addressing specific dietary needs. The effort dovetails with the USDA’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and includes funding, educational resources, and additional support.
How You Can Support NĀTIFS
In addition to shopping the Field Day Sale in November, you can donate directly to the organization to support their work. Oryana Community Co-op values the vibrant heritage of Indigenous peoples everywhere, especially right here in northern Michigan. Learn more about our commitment to fostering an inclusive, respectful space. Learn more about our philosophy and consider becoming an owner today.
