An official website of the United States government         Here's how you know         
**Official websites use .mil**
A **.mil** website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
**Secure .mil websites use HTTPS**
 A **lock (lock )** or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Skip to main content (Press Enter).

Defense Logistics AgencyThe Nation's Combat Logistics Support Agency

Search
Search

Search

-  Home		 
-  What DLA Offers    -  Excess Property Disposal             
  -  Document Services             
  -  Products             
  -  Services             
  -  Programs 
-  Working With DLA    -  Applications             
  -  Small Business             
  -  Federal and International Cataloging             
  -  Defense Data Standards             
  -  Events             
  -  Procurement Policies             
  -  Government Programs             
  -  Forms 
-  Organizations    -  DLA Headquarters             
  -  DLA Aviation             
  -  DLA Disposition Services             
  -  DLA Distribution             
  -  DLA Energy             
  -  DLA Land and Maritime             
  -  DLA Troop Support             
  -  DLA CENTCOM & SOCOM             
  -  DLA Europe & Africa             
  -  DLA Indo-Pacific 
-  Customer Support    -  Self Help Tools             
  -  How to Order             
  -  Find Your Order             
  -  Customer Facing Offices             
  -  Training             
  -  Brochures             
  -  Warfighter Support             
  -  Customer Service Management 
-  Careers		 
-  About DLA    -  Contact Us             
  -  Locations             
  -  Leaders             
  -  News             
  -  History             
  -  Media Gallery             
  -  DLA Campaigns 

HomeAbout DLANewsNews Article View

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

PHOTO INFORMATION

** Download

** Details

** Share

# Subsistence, USDA partnership provides fresh produce to Native American tribes

By Alexandria Brimage-GrayDefense Logistics Agency Troop Support

                PHILADELPHIA  –              
For more than 20 years, the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Subsistence supply chain has provided fresh fruits and vegetables across the country to Indian Tribal Organizations participating in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations.

In partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services, Food Distribution division, Subsistence ensures that participating ITOs receive weekly deliveries from prime vendors, Patricia Scott, Subsistence Garrison Feeding division chief, said.

According to Blair Tucker-Gruchala, USDA program analyst, many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, because they do not have easy access to SNAP offices or authorized food stores.

 “FPDIR provides income-eligible households a monthly food package with a variety of nutritious foods including fruits, vegetables, proteins, legumes, grains, dairy, soups and traditional foods such as bison, blue cornmeal, wild rice, catfish, and salmon,” she said. “In these locations, [program participants] can select fresh produce in place of canned fruits and vegetables.”

Since the program’s inception in 1996, there has been significant growth over the years.

"The initial pilot program consisted of two ITOS," Tucker-Gruchala said. "Today, there are more than 100 ITOs and three state agencies administering the program providing assistance to 276 tribes across the country.

This growth has had a positive effect on Subsistence’s sales.

 “We supported more than 130 tribes last [fiscal] year with sales reaching $9.8 million,” Scott said.

Joseph Hauser, Subsistence Produce and Market Fresh division chief, said his contracting team has a unique role in supporting the partnership.

“In addition to supporting the warfighter and the schools with fresh produce, my division also supports many tribes under the FPDIR, making us unique in Subsistence contracting,” Hauser said.  “We appreciate being able to be of service to the tribes and provide them the contracts to supply their food distribution needs. We look forward to growing the program in future.” 

**                    SHARE                

**                    PRINT                

Defense Logistics Agency Troop SupportSubsistenceUSDAAmerican IndianDoD FreshFDPIRFNSFood and Nutrition Servicefruits and vegetablesIndianIndian reservationsNative Americanproduce Strategic Engagementwhole of governmentDefense Logistics Agency