Food Sovereignty in Northern Minnesota; Building a Sustainable and Accessible Food System in This Region

This project began in 2007 when the Indigenous Environmental Network worked with other local community entities interested in creating better food systems for the region. They started the Food Sovereignty, Security and Health Project which spawned the Headwaters Food Sovereignty Council (HFSC), the active organization in implementing many of the project goals. The main goal of this research project is to create a food council which will then develop a mapping system of the food shed. The council will work to build partnerships between food producers, distributors, and consumers that will improve the health of our communities in relation to food consumption. They will work to develop education and outreach programs that coincide with existing tribal, state and federal programs. This report focuses specifically on how to utilize existing state and federal food programs as well as state and federal funding to increase access to healthy foods for low-income families and tribal communities in north central Minnesota. It examines the history of the region, the health of its people, current socioeconomic data, and innovative programs that are reconnecting community with local food traditions and practices. It will address how one community in northern MN is working to create a food system based on local healthy food. It will determine the steps that need to be taken, the challenges, and where the opportunities will be.Prepared in partnership with the Headwaters Food Sovereignty Council by the Community Assistantship Program (CAP), administered by the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota