Fast Blackfeet

OUR VISION IS A HEALTHY, STRONG, AND FOOD SECURE BLACKFEET NATION. FAST (FOOD ACCESS AND SUSTAINABILITY TEAM) BLACKFEET IS A GROUP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, EDUCATORS, AND INVOLVED CITIZENS WITHIN THE BLACKFEET NATION WHO ARE DEDICATED TO: IDENTIFYING FOOD INSECURITY IN OUR COMMUNITIES. EXPLORING AND IMPLEMENTING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS RELATED TO ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND NUTRITION EDUCATION. ADDRESSING FOOD SOVEREIGNTY TO ENSURE CULTURALLY RELEVANT AND AFFORDABLE FOOD FOR ALL. FOOD SECURITY FOR OUR PEOPLE: WHEN PEOPLE KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM AND THAT THEY WILL HAVE THE FOOD THEY NEED. FOOD SOVEREIGNTY FOR OUR NATION: THE RIGHT TO HEALTHY, CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS AND OUR RIGHT TO DEFINE OUR OWN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE SYSTEM.

IN 2022, THE ORGANIZATION SERVED 13,805 FAMILIES, PROVIDED 30 CLASSES, AND CREATED 10 NEW PRODUCE/TEA GARDENS. THE ORGANIZATION ALSO: STARTED CLIENTS CHOICE SHOPPING IN JULY STARTED BI-WEEKLY OUT-OF-TOWN DELIVERIES IN SEPTEMBER ADDED A FULL-TIME PANTRY ASSISTANT TO THE TEAM ADDED A RESOURCE WALL AND NUTRITION TIP OF THE WEEK IN THE PANTRY LOBBY SERVED 13,805 FAMILIES IN 2022 DISTRIBUTED 386,938 POUNDS OF HEALTHY AND CULTURALLY RELEVANT FOODS. INCREASE IN MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY APPOINTMENTS. 32 INDIVIDUALS HAD AT LEAST ONE APPOINTMENT. IN PERSON MEDICAL NUTRITION THERAPY APPOINTMENTS AT SOUTHERN PIEGAN HEALTH CENTER DISTRIBUTED 1,470 (10,470) PRODUCE VOUCHERS ADDED 3 NEW GROCERY RETAILERS ACCEPTING VOUCHERS (SUZIES STORE - BABB, ST MARY GROCERY, GLENDALE COLONY PRODUCE STAND) 30 COOKING CLASSES COMPLETED THIS YEAR ADDED A TRADITIONAL FOOD SERIES COOKING CLASS 100% OF CLASS PARTICIPANTS SAID THE CLASS HELPED THEM CHOOSE AND PREPARE HEALTHY FOOD ADDED FOOD DEMONSTRATIONS AND SAMPLES DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM HAS RECRUITED 6 PARTICIPANTS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE VEGETABLE GARDENS AND ADDED 10 NEW GARDENERS MADE A STRONG PARTNERSHIP WITH BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE GARDEN, RESULTING IN 761 POUNDS OF THEIR PRODUCE FOR THE PANTRY 14 PARTICIPANTS FELT MORE CONFIDENT IN THEIR ABILITY TO GROW TEAS. 5 GARDENERS DONATED PRODUCE AND MOST REPORTED EATING THEIR PRODUCE AT HOME RECEIVED TEA FROM 6 PARTICIPANTS AND MOST NEW TEA PLANTS SURVIVED THE SEASON HAD 3 PLANT GIVE-AWAY TABLING EVENTS AND 1 SEED GIVE AWAY EVENT ADDED 5 NEW GARDENING VIDEO CLASSES TO YOUTUBE PAGE, HELD 2ND ANNUAL TEA BLENDING CLASS, AND HOSTED 3 ON-THE-LAND WORKSHOPS