First Nations recognizes that Native food systems are important assets to Native communities. As a result, First Nations has long supported Native communities as they fortify traditional food systems, seek to increase access healthy and fresh foods, increase awareness of and involvement with where food comes from, and expand knowledge of the linkages between foods, Native cultures and/or contribute to tribal economic growth and development of entrepreneurially related food ventures.

Selected grantees under this opportunity must use funding to support work contributing to building a national movement that will fulfill a vision of Native communities and food systems that are self-directed, well-resourced and supported by community policies and systems. Emerging projects are encouraged to apply.

Examples of allowable activities under this funding opportunity include, but are not limited to:

• Conducting a community food assessment to examine the economic impact of food system assets and plan next steps
• Developing projects aimed at increasing local food system control, including increasing access to traditional foods, hunting, fishing, or gathering
• Increasing local food distribution and marketing to end-use institutions (e.g., schools or local and tribal businesses) and larger markets, and/or
• Strategic community planning around food sovereignty projects
• Increasing the capacity of food producers to manage environmental, community, and social/political impacts of policy on their food system