The
Cherokee Nation Food Distribution Program has been dedicated to distributing
nutritious foods to eligible Native American Families residing within the
jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee Nation and within the USDA Food
Nutrition Services approved Service Areas since 1983. The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution Program
is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture Food and
Nutrition (USDA) and the Cherokee Nation. USDA-Food and Nutrition Services has
developed a well-balanced food package for each participating household member.
The amount of food a household receives is determined by the number of eligible
household members approved. Services are provided through seven Food Distribution Stores.
The Food Distribution Stores operate in a grocery store environment that
allows participants to shop in a comfortable and familiar setting.
Households
are certified based on income eligibility standards set by USDA-FNS. Households have the right to submit an
application the same day they contact the Food Distribution Program. Households
must be interviewed in a face to face interview by the designated Food
Distribution for eligibility determination. If a household disagrees with any
action taken, the household or their representative is entitled to request a
Fair Hearing.
The
Food Package consists of approved USDA Foods such as fresh fruits and
vegetables, canned fruits, canned vegetables, 100% fruit juices, canned and
frozen meats, cheese, canned milk, dry milk, shelf stable milk, pastas,
cereals, flour, cornmeal, vegetable oil and/or butter are distributed monthly
according to household size. Along with these packaged items, households have a
choice of different types of fresh produce such as apples and oranges, clementine’s,
grapes, lemons, tomatoes, carrots, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, bell
peppers, and potatoes, etc. Note some fruits and vegetable may be seasonal
and subject to change.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS
• At
least one household member must prove citizenship in a federally recognized
tribe.
•
Household must reside within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Cherokee
Nation and within the FNS Service Areas.
•
Household income cannot exceed income eligibility standards developed by USDA-FNS.
•
Households cannot dually participate in the Food Distribution Program and the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly the Food Stamp
Program in the same month.
•
Households cannot participate in more than one Food Distribution Program in the
same month.
DOCUMENTS
NEEDED
• Proof
of Tribal
membership:
1. An official card, letter, or other documentation
issued by an Indian Tribe which indicates that the individual is a tribal
member.
2. An official Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood or Certificate of
Degree of Alaskan Blood (both abbreviated CDIB) card.
3. An official document (letter, memorandum, form, etc.) from a Bureau of
Indian Affairs office or a Tribe/Nation which states the individual named in
the document is the direct descendant (son, daughter, grandchild, etc.) of a
federal-recognized member.
• Residential Verification:- A
current utility bill, phone bill, or rent receipt with applicants name and
residential address.
Please note a mailing address with a P.O. Box will
require a physical address as well as it does not verify your physical
address.
• Verification of income:- A
full month’s income must be verified for all household members over the age of
18. Copies of pension, government checks, pay stubs, or employer’s statement of
GROSS earnings.
Household members 18 years and older with no income
must provide unemployment verification. Self-employed individuals must submit
their most recent tax forms.
• Verification of Identity:-
All household members must provide acceptable verification of identity, such
documentation as a driver’s license, work or school I.D., voter registration
card, birth certificate, I.D. for health benefits or other programs or other
social services.
General
contact: 1-800-865-4462
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its
Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering
USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national
origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal
or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity
conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where
they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or
have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at
(800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available
in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at:
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA
and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To
request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your
completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity
provider.