We build community strengths, culture and wellness by developing local, sustainable systems that provide healthy food access and education at every age, for all who need it.
Services
Food Pantry
The Ō’yō’·ṗ’ Food Pantry opened in September 2019 serving 209 households on average per month. The COVID-19 pandemic required an increase in services by 500% and added 6 new positions to meet the demand and operate the pantry and other FAST programs. The pantry provided food to 1045 households per month on average for all programs in 2021. On average, 4.5 people are fed from every participant visit. Participant numbers remain high despite relaxed COVID restrictions and FAST Blackfeet plans to continue the same level of services. O’yo’p’ is a need-based food pantry, serving anyone who presents in need.
Growing Health Program
FAST Blackfeet’s Growing Health Program started in 2021 as the Growing Health Tea Project in response to changes in the Blackfeet community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pilot expanded in the second year to a program that will create economic and wellbeing opportunities in the Blackfeet Nation as it recovers from the pandemic. The Growing Health Program provides material resources and training opportunities to aspiring herbal tea and vegetable producers in the Blackfeet Nation and interfaces with the Ō´yō´•ṗ´ Food Pantry as an initial market for purchase and distribution of tea. The Growing Health Program is FAST Blackfeet’s first step in directly promoting production of local food by individuals who grow, harvest, process, and sell herbal teas. This creates a source of income for tea producers and increased availability of Indigenous teas in the community.
Food Pharmacy
In a community with limited healthy food and nutrition services, FAST Blackfeet’s Food Pharmacy Program makes healthy food more accessible and gives participants the skills and knowledge to eat well. The Food Pharmacy Program started in 2020 as a unique partnership between the Blackfeet Tribal Health System and FAST Blackfeet. Food Pharmacy Participants have access to: nutrition counseling with a Registered Dietitian, group cooking classes that use Blackfeet foods and incorporate indigenous nutrition concepts and knowledge, specialized food boxes from the Ō´yō´ṗ´ Food Pantry to meet dietary needs, and fresh fruit and vegetable vouchers to be used at Blackfeet Nation grocery stores.
Vision Statement
A healthy, strong, food secure Blackfeet Nation.
Mission Statement
FAST (Food Access and Sustainability Team) Blackfeet is a nonprofit organization founded by a group of involved citizens who are dedicated to improving food security, providing nutrition education, and reclaiming & building food sovereignty within the Blackfeet Nation.
no1-hungry 