The Keya Foundation, Inc., in Timber Lake is one of three entities in South Dakota receiving a $500,000 grant to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
The Produce Prescription Program funds will also be used to help address a pressing need in American Indian communities to promote optimal cardio-metabolic health for families with school-aged children.
The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe is the 4th largest American Indian community in the USA and its food insecurity and accompanying poverty rates are exceedingly high. While previous health efforts have focused on individuals, this effort will address affordability and accessibility as contributors to food insecurity and a poor quality diet. The Keya Foundation Produce Prescription Program Serving the Cheyenne River Tribe will serve as a resource to improve affordability and access to program-approved produce.
The proposed work will leverage collaborations of the CRST Indian Health Services, CRST Adult Diabetes Program, Keya Foundation, Missouri Breaks Industries Research Inc, University of Washington and Lakota Thrifty Mart– the tribally owned chain of grocery stores on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
The Avera McKennan Food as Medicine and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Fight Against Diabetes projects are also receiving $500,000. Nationwide, 43 awards make up a $20.7 million Produce Prescription Program investment through the US Department of Agriculture’s American Rescue Plan funding for the GusNIP program.
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