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Food Distribution Program

The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution Program is dedicated to distributing nutritious foods to eligible Tribal households residing within the reservation of the Cherokee Nation and FNS service areas since 1983. The Cherokee Nation Food Distribution Program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services 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. Services are provided through eight Food Distribution Stores. The Food Distribution Stores operate in a grocery store environment that allows participants to shop in a comfortable and familiar setting.  

General contact: 1-800-865-4462  

Eligibility Requirements

• Verification of Tribal citizenship in a federally recognized tribe.
• Household must reside within the reservation of the Cherokee Nation and FNS Service Areas.
• Meet income eligibility standards developed by USDA.  

Documents Needed

• Proof of Tribal citizenship:
  • An official card, letter, or other documentation issued by an Indian Tribe which indicates that the individual is a tribal member.
  • An official Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood or Certificate of Degree of Alaska Native Blood (both abbreviated CDIB) card.
  • An official document (letter, memorandum, form, etc.) from the US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs or the Tribal Enrollment Office of a federally recognized tribe which states the individual named in the document is the direct descendant (son, daughter, grandchild, etc.) of a federally recognized tribal member. 
• Residential Verification: A current utility bill, phone bill, cell phone bill, internet bill, or rent receipt with applicant’s 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. 

All Food Distribution Store Locations have accessibility and reasonable accommodations or services are available upon request. 

Food and Nutrition Service Nondiscrimination Statement (NDS)

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.  

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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.  

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint 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:  

Mail: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334 Alexandria, VA 22314; or  
Email: fnscivilrightscomplaints@usda.gov.
 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.